Serena Williams docuseries in production for ESPN, promises intimate look into life and career

A docuseries chronicling the life and career of tennis great Serena Williams is already in production and promises a deep dive into the woman who’s both an accomplished athlete and a cultural milestone in her own right.

“In the Arena: Serena Williams” will portray “the most complete, intimate, and compelling account of her legendary career, featuring firsthand perspective from Serena and key figures throughout her life,” ESPN said in its series description.

The multi-part project comes after the success of 2021′s “Man in the Arena: Tom Brady,” a 10-part series about each of Brady’s journeys to the Super Bowl.

Williams dominated her sport for more than two decades, winning a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles. “In the Arena” will be about that and so much more, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said.

“We’ll combine some things here, but it’s going to be fantastic,” Pitaro said in announcing the project at the Walt Disney Co. upfront presentation held Tuesday in New York. “I’m probably as excited about that as I am any film that we have in development right now.”

The series promises that some of Williams’ most significant career moments and personal milestones will be “examined and decoded in detail” as her on-court achievements and the cultural impact she made are seen amid the backdrop of “dramatic personal challenges” such as starting a family. It will end with her welcoming the new generation of tennis players who she has inspired, the network said.

Williams was also on hand, appearing onstage for the announcement. Her Nine Two Six Productions company, which she launched in April with Caroline Currier as president, is among the producers. Also on the list are Religion of Sports and Brady’s 199 Productions. Gotham Chopra, who directed “Man in the Arena,” will take the helm.

With News Wire Services