HBO will debut the original documentary Siren: The Voices of Shelley Beattie on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, from 9:00 p.m. to 10:43 p.m. ET/PT. Directed by Irene Taylor, the film will air on HBO and be available for streaming on HBO Max.
Guided by Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin, the documentary examines the life of athlete Shelley Beattie, a Deaf woman who rose to prominence as an international bodybuilder and starred as Siren on the television series American Gladiators. Matlin partnered with Taylor to produce the project after recognizing shared personal experiences navigating discrimination, hearing loss, and career milestones within the entertainment and sports industries.
The film incorporates archival footage, home videos, personal interviews, and artwork created by Beattie to document her athletic achievements and personal history. It details her early life, her career in bodybuilding and media, her participation as a crew member with the 1992 America’s Cup team, and her mental health advocacy prior to her death at age 39.
Featured participants in the production include Matlin, Beattie’s mother, her siblings, her girlfriend Julie Moisa, her life partner and coach John Romano, former American Gladiators cast members, former Ms. Olympias, and Gold’s Gym founding co-owner Ed Connors.
Simultaneous with the main broadcast, HBO Max will stream a version of the documentary featuring American Sign Language. The ASL version is performed by Angela “AV” Vilavong and directed by Justin Jackerson.
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