Queen of the Ring star Emily Bett Rickards isn’t afraid to take on wrestling’s passionate fanbase. The former Arrow actress is set to portray wrestling legend Mildred Burke in an upcoming biopic. However, she’s no stranger to handling strong reactions, having faced plenty of fan scrutiny during her time as Felicity Smoak in the CW’s DC universe.
When I was on Arrow, I quickly realized how passionate comic book fans can be, At one point, I had to have a really long talk with my therapist, asking, ‘Okay, so what is all this energy? I don’t really understand it.’
The CW veteran shared in an interview with TV Insider, admitting
The actress says she had to build a “rhino’s skin” and a “rose’s heart” to handle the pressure. She now understands that criticism usually comes from passion, not just negativity.
Advertisement I think that criticism is passion, and all that passion is good…As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how special that is. Like, aren’t we allowed to get passionate about these things that we care about?
Shifting from superhero TV to a wrestling drama gives Rickards a chance to connect with a new audience while building on the goodwill she’s earned. While comic book fans are known for their passion, wrestling fans take it a step further with their deep knowledge of the sport and intense reactions, setting high expectations for Queen of the Ring.
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Rickards’ perspective on passionate fanbases isn’t just for show. Her message to wrestling fans—”I hope you like it, but more importantly, I hope you feel something. Let us know what you feel.”—reflects the mindset of wrestlers and promoters, who measure success not by cheers or boos, but by the energy of the crowd.
Wrestling icon Chris Jericho once told The Guardian, “The key to wrestling is connecting with the crowd. You want them to either love you or hate you—what matters is getting a reaction.” Rickards seems to have picked up a similar lesson during her time in the Arrow-verse.
Fans can watch Rickards trade Star City for the wrestling ring when Queen of the Ring hits theaters on March 7, 2025. Here’s the official synopsis for the upcoming biopic:
A remarkable true story about Mildred Burke, a legendary pro wrestler and single mother who overcame immense challenges to become the first female athlete to earn a million dollars and the longest-reigning champion—at a time when wrestling was banned in most of the U.S.
Source: TV Insider