On the Ropes (TV series)

On the Ropes is an Australian drama series which screened on SBS on 28 November 2018.[1] The four-part miniseries follows a young Iraqi-Australian woman who follows her dream of becoming an elite women's boxing trainer.[2] Production for the series began in May 2018.[3]

On the Ropes
GenreDrama
Created byCourtney Wise
Written by
  • Tamara Asmar
  • Adam Todd
  • Ian Meadows
Directed byShannon Murphy
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
  • Sue Masters
  • Jason Stephens
  • Jacobs Media
  • Matthew Rodriguez
Producers
  • Helen Bowden
  • Courtney Wise
Production companyLingo Pictures
Original release
Release28 November (2018-11-28) –
19 December 2018 (2018-12-19)

Synopsis

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Amirah Al-Amir is an aspiring Iraqi-Australian boxing trainer who often has to deal with the physicality and deep-seated culture of misogyny in the sporting world. She works in the family gym in Sydney's western suburbs with world champion father Sami and her two brothers.[4] Amirah secures a debut professional match for her hard-nosed fighter Jess Connor with the help of Strick, Sami's long-time promoter.[5] Her father is furious that she went behind his back and threatens to cut her off.[6]

Episodes

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No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"The Fire"Shannon MurphyTamara Asmar28 November 2018 (2018-11-28)
Aspiring trainer Amirah Al Amir deceives her boxing champion father, Sami Al Amir, in order to secure her female athlete Jess Connor a pro debut fight. Fearing for Jess's safety, Sami intervenes and stops the fight, despite Amirah's continued reassurance that she has it under control. In his haste, Sami hits an official, threatening his boxing licence and livelihood.
2"No Returns"Shannon MurphyAdam Todd5 December 2018 (2018-12-05)
Without the security of her family's gym and home, Amirah sleeps in her car. She struggles to find a space to train her female fighters. In attempt to drive her to come home, Sami cuts her wage.
3"In Fighting"Shannon MurphyAdam Todd12 December 2018 (2018-12-12)
Amirah makes the decision to tell the truth at her father's tribunal, despite the repercussions threatening to affect their relationship and cause further rifts with her family. Emotions heat up between Amirah and Lachy, even though she has reservations about her feelings towards him. Amirah actions much needed damage control when she gives her youngest boxer, Mina, wrong advice that could potentially stop her training for good.
4"The Truth"Shannon MurphyIan Meadows19 December 2018 (2018-12-19)
Amirah prepares for her biggest fight yet — against her father — as she trains Lachy to challenge her brother in the ring. Amirah is determined to prove to Sami she belongs in the boxing world and knows it will take defeating him to do so. Jess hopes to redeem herself in a rematch against the formidable Jinx and while Lachy hopes to make it two from two in his second ever boxing match, he is also concerned Amirah is taking her personal issues with her father into the ring.

Cast

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Awards and nominations

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The series was nominated for three Logie Awards in 2019; Most Outstanding Miniseries / Telemovie, Most Outstanding Lead Actress (Nicole Chamoun) and Most Outstanding Supporting Actress (Keisha Castle-Hughes). It was also nominated for a 2019 Director's Guild Award for Shannon Murphy, a 2019 Actor's Equity Award for the ensemble cast and a 2019 Writer's Guild Award for Best Miniseries. It is nominated for a 2019 AACTA Award for Best Telefeature or Miniseries.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Knox, David (6 November 2018). "Airdate: On the Ropes". TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  2. ^ Knox, David (27 July 2018). "SBS mid-year showcase: Go Back, Child Genius, On the Ropes, How Mad Are You?". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  3. ^ Knox, David (21 May 2018). "Cameras roll on SBS drama The Ropes". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Keisha Castle-Hughes, Nicole Chamoun, Jack Thompson and Igal Naor to star in 'The Ropes'". Inside Film. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  5. ^ "SBS drama The Ropes commences production". Inside Film. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Award-winning cast announced for SBS and Lingo Pictures' The Ropes". Inside Film. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
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