July 30th 2024.
It's hard to believe that it's been over twenty years since the legendary series Xena: Warrior Princess first graced our screens. The show, which was a spin-off of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, ran from 1995 to 2001 and captivated audiences with its epic fantasy plot and fierce female lead.
At the center of it all was the iconic character of Xena, played by the talented Lucy Lawless. But today, when fans catch a glimpse of Lucy's co-star Renee O'Connor, who portrayed the loyal Gabrielle, they may have to do a double take.
Gone is the trademark blonde hair and range of hairstyles, as well as Gabrielle's signature weapons. Instead, Renee now sports her natural red hair and has been sharing photos of her new look on social media over the past few years.
At the young age of 17, Renee made her screen debut in the Teen Angel segment of the Disney Channel's The Mickey Mouse Club. She then went on to star in various TV movies and shows before landing the role of Gabrielle in Xena.
But it wasn't until her appearance in the TV movie Hercules and the Lost Kingdom, starring Kevin Sorbo, that she caught the eye of the producers and was offered the role of Gabrielle. It was a match made in TV heaven, as Renee and Lucy's chemistry on screen was undeniable.
The show became an instant hit, surpassing its predecessor in ratings and popularity. It even became the top-rated syndicated drama series on American television during its second season. However, despite its success, the series was eventually cancelled in 2000, with the final episode airing a year later.
But for fans of Xena, the bond between Lucy and Renee will always remain strong. In fact, the two have remained close friends even after all these years, with Lucy even making a guest appearance on Renee's recent show, My Life is Murder.
And speaking of Xena and Gabrielle's relationship, Lucy finally confirmed what many fans had suspected – that it was meant to be romantic. In an interview with Stellar magazine, she said, "That's where the characters settled. At first, even [Renee and I] didn't see that coming, but the producers and writers knew what they were doing."
But for Lucy, it's not just about Xena and Gabrielle's relationship. It's about representing and normalizing LGBTQ+ relationships on screen. She said, "Gay is part of normal. I know in other parts of the world this is still a new concept but, for god's sake, we just want total equality."
Today, fans can still catch Xena: Warrior Princess on streaming platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. And for those who are craving more Xena and Gabrielle content, they can always turn to the strong and enduring friendship between Lucy and Renee, both on and off screen.
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