Episode 338: Emily Bett Rickards

Emily Bett Rickards (Arrow's Felicity Smoak) swung by the YVR Screen Scene Podcast to discuss one of the most wildly entertaining, audacious, and empowering films of this or any year, Queen of the Ring. Emily shines as Mildred “Millie” Burke, the legendary professional wrestler and single mom who defied incredible odds to become the first million-dollar female athlete and longest reigning champion at a time when the sport was banned across most of America. Queen of the Ring was written and directed by Ash Avildsen. The cast also includes Walter Goggins, Josh Lucas, Francesca Eastwood, Tyler Posey, and Marie Avgeropoulos. Queen of the Ring opens in Canada on April 4, including at VIFF Centre and the Rio Theatre in Vancouver, and Emily joined Sabrina Rani Furminger on the pod to talk about Mildred’s commitment to intersectionality, muscularity, and femininity, what she learned about Millie by jacking up for the role, and the conversation she’d love to have with the late wrestling star. Episode sponsor: UBCP/ACTRA