Xena: Warrior Nutballs

xenawarriornutballs
  • 5.0 (7)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Kia Ora and G’day whānau! Join two queer overexcitable fangirls, Lou (Kiwi, new-ish fan) and Shell (Aussie, OG Xenite), as they deep-dive into Xena: Warrior Princess with charmingly mediocre wit, loads of nostalgia, and at times impenetrable accents. 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 embrace the Nutball life! ⚔️🌈 Visit us at: https://xenawarriornutballs.com/ 

  1. APR 1

    Interview #15: Alexandra Tydings! Aphrodite - Goddess of Love 💘✨💋

    OMG babes 💖✨ we are, like, SO excited because this week, we’re adding the divine Alexandra Tydings 💘👑 to the whānau!!! Aka Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love from Xena: Warrior Princess 💕 Tubular right?!   We go FULL Gaphrodite 💞🌈 yes babe, that kiss 💋💖 diving into Alex’s thoughts, angles, and all the deliciously sapphic vibes 😍💓It’s flirty, fabulous, and totally dripping in looooooooove 💕💅✨   …okay stepping out of our valley girl era for a sec, we go on a real journey in this chat - Alex is unbelievably smart and generous, and there’s truly something in here for every Xenite: from the origins of Joxer's theme tune, or working with Alexis Arquette and Kiwi Director Garth Maxwell on “The God You Know” S6E12, to wholesome memories of working with their big bro Ares, AKA Kevin Smith! 💖   We welcome the magnificent Goddess of Aroha | Love - Alex Tydings!    Show notes:    Follow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atydings/    Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578930248317    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/

    1h 14m

  2. MAR 18

    Interview #14: Michael Hurst! Iolaus and Director of “A Day in the Life” 💪⚔️💛 + SO MUCH MORE

    Golden curls, heroic biceps, and a whole lot of Kiwi charm, this week we’re joined by Aotearoa legend Michael Hurst (ONZM) ✨   Xena fans will know Michael across the wider Xenaverse: from his iconic turn as the ever-loyal hero Iolaus in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys 💪⚔️, to popping up in Xena: Warrior Princess as Nigel and the delightfully grumpy ferryman Charon ⛵🔥. But his impact on the show goes far beyond what we see on screen. Michael also stepped behind the camera to direct some truly memorable episodes 🎬.   Most famously, he directed the fan-voted favourite “A Day in the Life” (S02E15) 🐟    The beloved episode that gave us fishing, bickering, and peak domestic subtext chaos between Xena  and Gabrielle ⚔️📜💛.    He also helmed unforgettable episodes like “A Tale of Two Muses” (S04E06), “Lifeblood” (S05E16), “Antony & Cleopatra” (S05E18), “Who’s Gurkhan?” (S06E4), and “To Helicon and Back” (S06E15).   In this episode we chat about the wild early days of the Kiwi screen industry 🎥, and what it was like helping shape one of the most beloved shows of the ’90s, both in front of the camera and behind it. It’s a joyful kōrero (conversation), full of laughs and stories, with one of the great creative forces of the Xenaverse 🌟.   Follow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raunchy_twyford/    Keep up with Michael's work: http://michaelhurstnow.com/    Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578930248317    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/

    1h 39m

  3. MAR 4

    Interview #13: Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand! Boudica and Zehra 🗡️🤎

    In this interview, Lou and Shell find themselves sitting down with one of the biggest legends in Aotearoa’s creative industries: Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand (ONZM, CNZM). 👑🎭   The 2020 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, honoured for her contributions to the arts and advocacy for Te Reo Māori, Jennifer reflects on her time in the Xena-verse.⚔️🥝    She stormed onto our screens as the fierce and formidable Boudica in “The Deliverer” (S3E4) and returned as Zehra in “The Play’s the Thing,” (S4E17) bringing gravitas and razor-sharp wit to every scene. 🛡️🔥   We talk about what it meant to bring a real-life warrior woman to life within this bold fantasy world, and her favourite memories working alongside the late great Kevin Smith - Ares 🗡️🖤   Regal, grounded, and gloriously sharp - Nutballs, you will understand after listening why we are still in awe.    Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jen_wl_te_atamira 📸   Book tickets to see Jennifer in “Helen Clark in 6 Outfits” 7th to 26th April, Auckland, New Zealand: https://www.atc.co.nz/whats-on/2026-season/helen-clark-in-six-outfits   Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578930248317    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/

    1h 1m

  4. FEB 18

    Interview #12: Rob Tapert! Co-creator, Executive Producer, Director, and Writer 🧠🎬🎣

    He’s the co-creator, executive producer, writer, director and yes, an avid fisherman 🎣 - the one and only Rob Tapert (eeeeee!!!!!) joins us for a kōrero/chat about bringing Xena: Warrior Princess to life ⚔️   Rob takes us back to the very beginning, what drew him down to Aotearoa New Zealand, the magic of building something wildly ambitious on the other side of the world, and how a scrappy team of Kiwi and Aussie creatives managed to capture that once-in-a-lifetime lightning-in-a-bottle which turned Xena into a global pop culture phenomenon ⚡🌍   Yes, we do get him to say the words hard yakka 💪 as he reflects on the creative risks, and the secret ingredients which gave the show its heart, humour, and enduring queer legacy 🏳️‍🌈   Plus, in a moment we’ve been holding our breath for, Rob shares a candid and much-anticipated update on where things stand with that reboot script 👀   This one is candid, wholesome, and beautifully bittersweet (see what we did there?) and a rare chance to hear directly from the Kiwi-by-choice screen legend himself ❤️   Cast a line, Nutballs… this one’s a big catch 🐟✨   Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578930248317    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/

    1h 12m

  5. FEB 4

    Interview #11: Jodie Dorday! Solari 🔑🙄⚔️

    This interview we’re joined by the utterly hilarious kiwi Jodie Dorday ✨🎭   Xena fans will know Jodie best as Solari, the fierce Amazon warrior from “The Quest” (S2E13) and “A Necessary Evil” (S2E14). Yes, THAT Amazon, the one that serves Bruce Campbell as Autolycus, the kind of stink eye you feel in your bones 🔑☠️ 🤣   As a multiple-character actor on Xena: Warrior Princess, Jodie shares what it was really like jumping between roles on set. We dive into what it was like when Lucy Lawless returned for “The Quest” after her injury and the pressures of being a guest actor on a big international show ⚔️📺   Jodie is one of those true Kiwi lasses, charming, glamorous and outrageously funny - expect peak Kiwi humour as Jodie reminds us why she’s an absolute scene-stealer on screen and off 💥😂   Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578930248317    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/   Show notes:   - Jodie will be appearing in Small Town Scandal - here's a wee link for more details!  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTyJ_-SD4PH/?igsh=ZjB1MnY5bjlwYWw0

    1h 5m

  6. JAN 22

    Interview #10: Hudson Leick! Callisto 🔥💀🖤

    We’re extending our whānau/family as we are joined by the one and only - Hudson Leick! The ultimate Xena: Warrior Princess villain, Callisto 💀⚔️    We dive deep into everything Callisto: from that iconic campfire scene with Gabrielle in “A Necessary Evil” (S2E14) 🔥🏕️, to exploring the sexual tension Callisto had with Xena ⚡💋 and her reaction to discovering Callisto would become the mother of Xena’s child 🤯. Hudson shares what it was like working in Aotearoa New Zealand, the connections she made on set, and the energy of filming in the ‘90s Xena-verse.   Most importantly though, we ask the question we have all been waiting to know the answer to: 👉 Did her famous black leather bikini cause her any chafing? 🖤👙   Hudson chats openly, thoughtfully, with genuine raw heart and reflection on her time in the show, while never missing a beat to make us laugh - she is a generous soul who makes you want to grow just by listening to her speak.   Far out, this is a special one whānau and we hope you enjoy as much as we did!✨🥰   Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578930248317    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/   Show notes:   Follow Hudson's on Instagram - this is where her 7-day yoga challenge will be held: https://www.instagram.com/HudsonLeick/   Learn about Hudson's yoga retreats, customised malas and bracelets as well as astronomical readings: https://www.hudsonleick.com/

    1h 53m

  7. JAN 7

    Interview #9: Murray Keane! Howar from "A Day in the Life" 📜🐟🍳

    This interview we’re joined by Kiwi legend Murray Keane AKA ‘Howar’ from fan-favourite episode “A Day in the Life” (Season 2, Episode 15) ⚔️📜   Shell and Lou dive deep into one of the best episodes of the entire franchise with Murray, he talks about working within the subtext (yes, everyone knew), working with Lucy Lawless, Renée O’Connor, Michael Hurst, and the hysterical Alison Wall who played Minya 🥰. Plus, Shell finally gets her long-overdue deep dive into the food on set 🍗🍞🍇   Murray also reflects on working on the original Hercules TV movies 🏛️⚡ which launched the entire franchise, alongside Lucy Lawless before she was cast as Xena 🤯   A well-established Kiwi director🎬Murray has had an enormous career working on some of the most iconic shows Aotearoa has ever produced 🌿📺   This is a proper, wholesome kōrerorero | conversation 💬❤️ and Murray knows exactly how to keep us laughing 😂✨   Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578930248317    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/   Show notes:   Murray mentions he was in a Meal Mates ad with Lucy Lawless - this is a very pixilated version of that ad! https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=meal+mates+biscuit+add+lucy+lawless&mid=7B07AA35F29A455CC9667B07AA35F29A455CC966&FORM=VIRE

    47 min

  8. 12/21/2025

    Interview #8: Tammy Barker! Stunt Double for Renée O’Connor | Gabrielle - Seasons 3, 4 & 5 💥⚔️

    This episode we chat with Tammy Barker, the legendary Aussie stunt double for Renée O’Connor | Gabrielle across Seasons 3, 4 and 5 💪   Tammy is the stunty who takes Gabrielle from the sweet, scroll-carrying bard 📜 to the fully fledged warrior, the “Battling Bard of Potidaea” ⚔️. This is the woman who did the hard yakka: the hits, the falls, the fire, even copping a broken nose at the end of (an extremely apologetic) Renée O’Connor’s staff in “Forgiven” (S3E14), all so Gabrielle’s evolution felt earned 🤕💥   Tammy was behind some of the most iconic moments in the entire series, including the infamous 'Gab Drag' in “The Bitter Suite” (S3E12) 🎶💔, and the blistering fire scenes in “Forget Me Not” (S3E17) 🔥😭   She reflects on what it was like working in the ’90s as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Aussie who crossed the ditch to chase her dreams in Aotearoa | New Zealand and suddenly finding herself in the middle of one of the most physical, groundbreaking TV productions of the decade 📺⚡️   Warning: this episode contains Tammy doing spins with her sais, at which point Lou and Shell absolutely fizz, fully, loudly, and with zero chill 🫠💖   It’s high-energy, behind-the-scenes gold, a love letter to stunt work 🎬, the unsung heroes who made the Xena action hit as hard as it did and just some good ol’ fashion Australia hard yakka! 💥⚔️   📸 Follow Tammy on Instagram: @tammybarker1   Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578930248317    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/

    1h 6m
See All (16)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Kia Ora and G’day whānau! Join two queer overexcitable fangirls, Lou (Kiwi, new-ish fan) and Shell (Aussie, OG Xenite), as they deep-dive into Xena: Warrior Princess with charmingly mediocre wit, loads of nostalgia, and at times impenetrable accents. 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 embrace the Nutball life! ⚔️🌈 Visit us at: https://xenawarriornutballs.com/ 

Information

  • Creator
    xenawarriornutballs
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Xena: Warrior Nutballs

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