Xena: Warrior Princess Executive Says Show Can't Be Made Today as a 'Place to Categorize Your Hate'

The Legacy of Xena: Warrior Princess and the Debate Over a Reboot

Xena: Warrior Princess, a television series that first aired in 1995, is often regarded as a groundbreaking show for its time. It carved out a unique space in the world of television by featuring a strong female lead in the form of Xena, played by Lucy Lawless. The show not only introduced audiences to a powerful female action hero but also became an important cultural touchstone for the LGBTQ+ community, thanks to the deep emotional connection between Xena and her companion, Gabrielle.

At this year’s San Diego Comic Con, one of the most notable moments came from the panel titled “30 Years of Xena: Warrior Princess: Fan Appreciation Panel.” Here, Steven L. Sears, the show’s Executive Producer, shared his thoughts on the possibility of a reboot. He suggested that the current cultural climate might make it difficult to recreate the same kind of storytelling that made the original series so impactful.

Sears pointed out that there have been significant changes over the years, which could affect how a new version of the show would be received. “There are a lot of changes,” he said during the panel. “There are also certain things that we were able to do because of a particular intersection of time.”

He emphasized that the original show didn’t set out to push boundaries intentionally. Instead, the creative team allowed the story to unfold naturally. “We just didn’t pay attention to the boundaries,” he explained. “We just let things go the way they should go. We didn’t push anything.”

Sears also mentioned that many reboots face challenges due to fan expectations and comparisons with the original. He expressed hope that if a reboot were ever made, it would follow the same approach as the original. “I would hope that they follow the model of ‘we’re not going to pay attention to the boundaries, we’re going to let the relationships grow,’ and we’re not going to label it so that people can categorize their hate,” he said.

Renee O’Connor, who played Gabrielle on the show, was also present at the panel. She reflected on the significance of her character's relationship with Xena and why it continues to resonate with audiences today. “I always just looked at how can I find the love?” she said. “Where can I find the depth, humor with Lucy, with Gabrielle and Xena? And so that never changed for me, ever.”

O’Connor added that the emotional core of the show—the sense of love and connection between characters—remains relevant even in today’s society. “I always wanted to look beyond the labels, beyond the separation of there’s this group, that’s the ‘other,’ or this is the group that we accept. I didn’t see any of that,” she said. “I just looked at how I feel about this person in front of me with such love. And that never changed, and that’s why it resonates after all these years. That’s what we always need. Even now more than ever.”

Despite the nostalgia and admiration for the original series, a reboot was briefly in development in 2015 and 2016. However, the project was eventually canceled in 2017. Whether or not a reboot will ever happen remains uncertain, but the legacy of Xena: Warrior Princess continues to inspire and influence fans around the world.