BlackBox Multimedia and Seven Seas Films announce they will co-produce Born Fighter. The limited series is adapted from the memoir of Ruqsana Begum and her remarkable journey to becoming a Muay Thai World Champion.

Dan Sefton (The Good Karma Hospital, Trust Me, The Mallorca Files) will lead a diverse writing room, with Ruqsana also playing an integral role in the series development.

Ruqsana Begum is a British-Bangladeshi World Champion in the sport of Muay Thai kickboxing. Her story is a unique coming of age sports drama, in which many of her biggest challenges take place outside of the ring. As she battles through an arranged marriage, hides sporting glory from her parents, copes with mental health illness, and consistently shatters the expectations of what a Muslim woman’s role ought to be, her journey will prove that anything is possible when you’re prepared to stand up and fight for it.

Born Fighter, written by Ruqsana Begum with Sarah Shephard, was released in the Summer of 2020 to widespread critical acclaim. It is the winner of The Telegraph Sports Book Awards Autobiography of The Year 2021 and was shortlisted for The William Hill Sports Book Of The Year Prize in 2020.

Ruqsana Begum says: “I’m really excited that my autobiography, where I share my deepest thoughts and memories, is to be reinvented into a drama series, with Blackbox and Seven Seas. My story is about overcoming obstacles, growing and embracing the challenges of life. A universal story that can be relatable to audiences everywhere on many levels and layers.”

Shefali Malhoutra, Development Producer at BlackBox Multimedia says: “Ruqsana’s complex journey from underdog teenager to world champion kickboxer is both highly subversive and broadly appealing. When we read ‘Born Fighter’, we were instantly convinced that Ruqsana’s story will entertain, enthral and inspire audiences across the globe.”

Simon Lupton at Seven Seas Films says: Seven Seas Films is delighted to be partnering with BlackBox Multimedia who share our passion for developing compelling stories.  In Born Fighter we are convinced we have that rare gem which delivers dramatically, but with a perspective and authenticity that can only come from being a true story.  We are excited to be working towards bringing Ruqsana’s journey to screen as we strongly believe her experiences will engage, move and inspire the audience. Hers is a voice that needs to be heard.