Fan Thirst
Curvy and Confident, New Gods of the Gates Star Maria Ivarsson Reveals All!
When showrunners Ron Acheson and R.J. Nullman began to adapt author E. Wade’s bestselling fantasy series two years ago, they
chose to excise a few key characters.
“Without cuts, we were concerned the show would become too sprawling,” Nullman says. “We knew some fans would protest those
decisions, but we definitely weren’t prepared for Cyprian and Cassia’s cult following among Wade’s readership.”
As soon as the first season began airing and the shipwrecked couple’s absence became evident, that following reacted. Fans
of Cyprian and Cassia—original characters created by Wade, not to be found in Roman mythology—wrote petitions. They picketed
the production studio in Canada. They started very popular social media campaigns calling for the inclusion of the book series’
favorite enemies-to-lovers storyline.
In response, Acheson and Nullman added two more cast members for the show’s second season: longtime character actor Peter
Reedton and Swedish theater ingenue Maria Ivarsson. That casting choice reverberated throughout Hollywood, and not simply
because the showrunners had bowed to the demands of the outspoken Cyprian/Cassia fandom.
“Ron and R.J. cast two fat actors for characters not originally specified as fat in the books,” Ivarsson explains.
“That never happens, and the showrunners deserve an enormous amount of credit for their decision. It’s a real step forward for body diversity in Hollywood.
I’m especially delighted because fat acceptance is a passion of mine, as followers of my social media accounts can attest. And, of course, it’s an honor to be cast alongside an actor as accomplished as Peter and to join a show already so beloved by its viewership. ”
That viewership hasn’t yet seen Cassia on-screen—the production is filming its second season right now—but Ivarsson has already
become a social media darling, with millions of followers on her various accounts, as well as an overnight symbol of body
positivity.
She embraces that role wholeheartedly, and with total confidence in her own plus-sized, all-natural sex appeal. When Fan Thirst approached her to model for our October cover, she didn’t hesitate... even when we asked her to bare everything for our
readers.
“‘Just don’t get me arrested,’ I told them,” she says with a laugh. “Otherwise, I had no concerns. I’m not shy, and I love
my body. Also, I’m happy for the attention the cover may receive, because I really want to ensure that Ron and R.J. get all
the kudos they deserve for such a forward-thinking casting choice.”
The authorities won’t be beating down her door anytime soon, not with the way our photographer carefully posed Ms. Ivarsson.
At least, they won’t be beating down her door to arrest her.
They might, however, request an autograph, and for good reason. Maria Ivarsson is a sultry, statuesque star on the rise, as
this month’s cover shows so nakedly.
Check out our website for alternate cover images and our top-ten list of Ivarsson’s funniest and most incisive social media
posts!