Women Wearing Shoulder Pads Creator Talks The Show’s All-Female Cast

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In each episode of Season 1 of Adult Swim’s “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads,” only female characters are heard speaking, while men are merely mentioned or discussed. This creative choice by series creator Gonzalo Cordova was established at the early stages of production, resulting in a show that primarily explores themes related to motherhood, professional women, queer relationships, and more, with a strong female-centric perspective.

Gonzalo Cordova’s Decision Was Inspired By The Works Of Pedro Almodóvar

Renowned and productive Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar is celebrated for crafting tales about women, including his groundbreaking work like “Women teetering on the brink of a nervous collapse” and more recent creations such as “Parallel Mothers “and “The Apartment Next Door“. In an interview with Game Rant, Cordova shared his experience of watching Almodóvar’s films and how they inspired him to envision “Women in Powerful Shoulder Pads” as a women-centric production.

In Almodóvar’s films, the male characters often take a back seat to the female ones. While exceptions like Antonio Banderas or Javier Bardem may occasionally appear, they aren’t the main focus. The romantic interests are usually less significant as well. This is evident in ‘Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,’ where some male characters barely make an appearance. I wanted to emphasize this aspect in my work.

As a follower, one aspect I confessed was crucial in my decision to embrace the all-female cast was the intriguing title, “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads“.

The Show’s Female Cast Is Multi-Layered And Fascinating

During their discussion, Cordova consistently emphasized that his goal for Women Wearing Shoulder Pads was to elevate a typical melodrama, and it seems as though the main female characters have done just that. Over the course of eight short, eleven-minute episodes, they engage in arguments, find love, stalk one another, uncover secrets, try to sabotage each other’s businesses, and so much more. The romantic storyline between cuy (guinea pig) fighter Espada and businesswoman Marioneta stands out, as does the development of Nina Quispe, a dedicated young activist for guinea pig rights.

In Marioneta Negocios, not a single woman sporting shoulder pads comes across as a tired cliché or flat stereotype. This particularly rings true for Marioneta, a character who often plays the antagonist but is complex in her relentless pursuit of success. She’s an ambitious businesswoman who will go to great lengths to outperform others and feels that everyone she encounters is captivated by her charm (or so she thinks).

Throughout the first season, Marioneta’s story unfolds, showcasing her at the pinnacle of power as well as in the depths of despair. This intriguing narrative makes for compelling viewing that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.

When discussing the inspiration for Marioneta, Cordova acknowledged Carmen Maura, a well-known actress frequently featured in Almodóvar’s films, and Joan Crawford, renowned for playing strong, unsentimental female roles in movies like “This Woman is Dangerous” and portraying complex, challenging characters such as her character in “What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?”. Marioneta is an intriguing character that audiences can connect with on a personal level, even if they don’t always feel empathy towards her.

The debut of the first season for the show titled “Women in Power Pads” airs on Adult Swim on August 17. Cordova is both apprehensive and thrilled about audience reactions towards the series’ exclusively female cast. He openly confessed that he adores each actress, finding Marioneta particularly amusing and endearing. He believes a significant part of her appeal lies in her performing numerous unlikeable actions. It remains to be seen how viewers will respond to the gender-exclusive, female-focused universe of “Women in Power Pads”, but one thing is for sure: these characters and their emotionally charged adventures will not be easily forgotten.

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2025-08-16 13:49