The True Story Of The GLOW Golden Globe Best Actress: Alison Brie’s Two-Time Nomination And The Shocking Cancellation

The Netflix series *GLOW* (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) captivated audiences with its vibrant 1980s aesthetic, powerful female ensemble, and surprisingly poignant drama, but its most enduring legacy in the awards circuit belongs to one star: Alison Brie. As of December 18, 2025, the story of the show's single Golden Globe Best Actress nomination remains a bittersweet Hollywood footnote, highlighting both the critical acclaim for Brie’s performance as Ruth Wilder (aka "Zoya the Destroya") and the controversial, premature end of the beloved series.

This deep dive explores the full, unvarnished details of the Golden Globe journey, the powerful rivals Brie faced, the devastating news of the Season 4 cancellation, and where the actress and the spirit of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling stand today, years after their final bow.

Alison Brie: Biography and Golden Globe Nomination Profile

Alison Brie Schermerhorn is an American actress, writer, and producer known for her versatile roles across comedy and drama, most notably as Annie Edison in *Community* and Trudy Campbell in *Mad Men*. Her starring role in *GLOW* solidified her status as a leading dramatic-comedic talent, earning her the highest individual awards recognition of her career to date.

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• Full Name: Alison Brie Schermerhorn
• Date of Birth: December 29, 1982
• Place of Birth: Pasadena, California, U.S.
• Spouse: Dave Franco (m. 2017)
• Notable TV Roles: Annie Edison (*Community*), Trudy Campbell (*Mad Men*), Ruth Wilder / Zoya the Destroya (*GLOW*)
• Golden Globe Nominations (for *GLOW*):
  • 75th Golden Globe Awards (2018): Nominee, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (for Season 1).
  • 76th Golden Globe Awards (2019): Nominee, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (for Season 2).
• Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Nominations (for *GLOW*):
  • Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (2018, 2019).
  • Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2018, 2019, 2020).

The Two-Time Golden Globe Journey: Ruth Wilder vs. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Alison Brie's performance as Ruth Wilder, the struggling actress who finds her calling as the Russian villain Zoya the Destroya, was the emotional core of *GLOW*. Her commitment to the physical demands of wrestling, combined with her portrayal of Ruth’s complex friendship with Debbie Eagan (played by Betty Gilpin), earned her back-to-back nominations in the highly competitive Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy category.

The 2018 Nomination: Season 1 Acclaim

The first nomination came in 2018 for the show's debut season. This was a significant moment for both Brie and the series, immediately establishing *GLOW* as a critical darling. Brie was recognized for bringing depth and vulnerability to a character who was often the underdog. The competition that year was fierce, featuring a field of established stars and breakout newcomers:

• Winner: Rachel Brosnahan (*The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*)
• Nominees: Pamela Adlon (*Better Things*), Alison Brie (*GLOW*), Issa Rae (*Insecure*), and Frankie Shaw (*SMILF*).

On the red carpet for the 75th Golden Globe Awards, which was the year of the Time's Up movement, Brie made a powerful statement. She was reported to have worn a black strapless silk gown by Vassilis Zoulias, though other reports highlighted her choice to "literally wear the pants" in a black ensemble, aligning with the evening's theme of female solidarity and empowerment.

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The 2019 Nomination: A Repeat Performance

Brie secured a second consecutive nomination in 2019 for the show's second season, a testament to the consistency and strength of her acting. The category was dominated once again by her main rival. The 76th Golden Globe Awards saw the same actress take home the trophy:

• Winner: Rachel Brosnahan (*The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*)
• Nominees: Kristen Bell (*The Good Place*), Alison Brie (*GLOW*), Candice Bergen (*Murphy Brown*), and Debra Messing (*Will & Grace*).

For the 2019 ceremony, Brie stunned in a custom powder blue tulle Vera Wang gown, a frothy, dreamlike look that became one of the most talked-about fashions of the night. Despite the lack of a win, the two nominations cemented *GLOW* and Alison Brie’s Ruth Wilder as a major force in prestige television comedy.

The Shocking Cancellation and the Fight for a Finale

The story of *GLOW*'s Golden Globe recognition is inextricably linked to its controversial end. After three critically acclaimed seasons, which also saw co-star Betty Gilpin (Debbie Eagan) receive multiple Emmy nominations, Netflix initially renewed the series for a fourth and final season.

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However, in October 2020, Netflix reversed this decision, officially canceling *GLOW* due to the unprecedented production and financial issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The show's large ensemble cast, intricate wrestling choreography, and the need for close-contact scenes made it particularly challenging and expensive to film under new safety protocols.

The cancellation, which occurred after the cast and writers had already begun preparation for the final season, was met with widespread frustration from fans and the cast alike. It left the story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling on a frustrating cliffhanger, denying the characters and the audience a proper conclusion.

The cast, including Brie, Marc Maron, and Betty Gilpin, immediately came together for a virtual reunion to console each other and their fans. During this emotional gathering, they publicly urged Netflix to consider a two-hour movie finale to wrap up the storylines, a plea that has yet to be answered as of late 2025. This push for a "GLOW movie" remains a central hope for the dedicated fanbase and a key part of the show's ongoing legacy.

Where is Alison Brie Now? 2025 Projects and Future Directing

Years after her final Golden Globe nomination for *GLOW*, Alison Brie has transitioned into a new phase of her career, focusing heavily on writing and producing, often alongside her husband, actor Dave Franco. This post-Ruth Wilder era showcases her commitment to "female-forward" projects and her evolving creative vision.

• Feature Directorial Debut: Brie is set to make her feature directorial debut, moving behind the camera for a new film. This step marks a major career shift, utilizing the creative control she previously explored as a writer and producer.
• Writing and Producing: She co-wrote, produced, and starred in the 2020 film *Horse Girl* and the 2022 film *Spin Me Round*. Most recently, in 2023, she co-wrote and starred in the romantic comedy *Somebody I Used to Know*.
• New Horror-Comedy: Brie has revealed she is working on a new "female-forward" horror-comedy film, a genre blend that speaks to her unique comedic and dramatic sensibilities.
• Recent Acting Roles: She recently starred with Dave Franco in the buzzed-about body horror flick *Together*. Her continued work in film and television demonstrates a powerful trajectory beyond the wrestling ring.

While the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling may no longer be on our screens, the indelible mark left by Alison Brie’s two Golden Globe nominations and the show’s legacy of female empowerment and friendship continues to resonate. The story of Ruth Wilder, a character who fought tirelessly for her dream, lives on through Brie’s current work as she steps into the director's chair, wrestling with a whole new set of creative challenges.