Xena: Warrior Nutballs
A fan celebration podcast of the Kiwis and Aussies who brought Xena: Warrior Princess to life.
About
Two queer overexcitable fangirls, Lou (Kiwi, new-ish fan) and Shell (Aussie, OG Xenite), deep-dive into Xena: Warrior Princess with charmingly mediocre wit, loads of nostalgia, and at times impenetrable accents.Filmed in Aotearoa | New Zealand, Xena became a ‘90s cult classic, pioneering queer representation and to this day has a fiercely devoted fandom - so devoted that Lucy Lawless herself calls the best of us "Hardcore Nutballs."Lou and Shell are here to prove her right!As Xena: Warrior Princess celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025, we’re highlighting its legacy by attempting to interview 30 cast and crew who made it legendary - the Kiwis and Aussies responsible for the leather outfits, the sword fights, and, let’s be real, making us all a little bit gayer. From behind-the-scenes stories to on-set moments, we’re going to bring you the voices behind the show which changed the world.🎧 Listen in, and join us to embrace the Nutball life! ⚔️🌈
Meet the hosts
Lou is a “young” (according to Lucy Lawless) and “cute” (according to Renee O’Connor) queer Kiwi. Lou grew up in Aotearoa | New Zealand in the ‘90s, and was born a stone’s throw from Te Henga | Bethells Beach, where Xena: Warrior Princess was filmed.While Lou only dove headlong into the Xena-verse a few years ago, she has developed an insatiable hyper-fixation on this show and squeals with joy when just thinking about Xena and Gabrielle’s relationship. Lou brings fresh energy, laughter, unapologetic chaotic fangirl glee, and (if nothing else) her Kiwi accent to every episode.
Shell, the Aussie half of the podcast duo, is an OG Xena: Warrior Princess fan. She grew up watching the show as a teenager, eagerly awaiting every battle, every adventure, and most importantly every bit of iconic subtext between Xena and Gabrielle. At a time when LGBTQ+ representation was nearly non-existent on TV, Xena was a lifeline, and Shell’s love for the series has only grown over the years.A seasoned comedy performer, singer, and actor with a rich background in live performance, Shell’s sharp wit and creative flair, brings humour, heart, and insightful commentary to the interviews. Drawing from her industry experience Shell helps to unpack Xena's cultural impact with our guests.
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