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Airdate: On the Ropes

SBS locks onto its latest local drama set in the world of women's boxing later this month.

SBS has announced its latest local drama, On the Ropes, will screen from late November.

It stars Nicole Chamoun (Safe Harbour, Romper Stomper) as an aspiring Iraqi-Australian boxing trainer Amirah Al-Amir who has idolised her world champion father Sami (Igal Naor) her entire life.

While working in the family gym in Sydney’s western suburbs alongside her two brothers, Amirah negotiates a professional debut match for her hardnosed fighter Jess O’Connor (Keisha Castle-Hughes) with Sami’s long-time promoter Strick (Jack Thompson). Furious that she has done this behind his back, her father threatens to cut her off. Desperate to chase her dream of transforming women’s boxing, will Amirah choose her fighter or her family?

Exploring female defiance, migrant families and misogyny in the sporting world, the 4 part drama is produced by Lingo Pictures.

“This is the biggest role I’ve ever taken on,” Chamoun said.” It’s the first time that my physicality was such an integral part to my character. I was training five days a week with an amazing female coach.”

“SBS are committed and dedicated to telling rich, diverse dramas and stories. They’re really passionate about telling stories from unheard perspectives that perhaps Australia hasn’t seen before, like Safe Harbour, and this is definitely what they’re doing with On the Ropes. I believe that risk is paying off. I really respect and admire them for taking these risks and telling such rich and diverse stories.”

SBS Director of Television and Online Content, Marshall Heald said: “On the Ropes is a compelling, intense, and uniquely SBS drama that speaks right to the heart of the SBS Charter – exploring inequality in social, cultural and sporting environments, multi-generational conflicts and the challenges faced by displaced immigrant families.

“The internationally renowned cast deliver outstanding performances alongside some exciting new faces being seen for the very first time on Australian TV.”

It will run over a four week period  on SBS, including into 3 non-ratings weeks.

The drama features diverse fresh and familiar faces like Louis Hunter (Troy, Out of the Blue), Michael Denkha (Devils Playground, The Code), Tyler De Nawi (Doctor Doctor, Here Come the Habibs!), Neveen Hanna (Tidelands, The Principal), Nader Hamden (East West 101), Priscilla Doueihy (Back in the Game), Setareh Naghoni, Claude Jabbour and introduces Bonzana Diab, Otis Dhanji and Kobie Duncan.

The creative team behind On the Ropes is predominantly female-driven. Directed by Shannon Murphy (Offspring, Love Child), On the Ropes is produced by Helen Bowden (Wake in Fright, The Slap) and Courtney Wise (Fragments of Friday) and executive produced by SBS Head of Scripted Content Sue Masters and Creative Director of Lingo Pictures Jason Stephens. Writers include Tamara Asmar (Doctor Doctor, Love Child), Adam Todd (Wentworth, Sea Patrol) and Ian Meadows (House Husbands).

On the Ropes is a Lingo Pictures production for SBS, with principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with Create NSW.

Wednesday 28 November at 8.30pm on SBS.

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