Continuing his relationship with Discovery Networks UK, Idris Elba will move from pushing his body, mind and engineering know-how to the limit for the four-part series “Idris Elba No Limits” (which aired last year), to pushing mostly his body and mind in a new limited series titled “Idris Elba: Fighter” – three-part documentary that will see Elba undertake the physically and mentally demanding task of training to become a professional kickboxer, to eventually take on a seasoned fighter in a no-holds-barred bout.
Elba crossed multiple continents for the series, filming in the UK, Cuba, Japan, South Africa and Thailand, as he goes from playing tough guys on screen to finding out if he really is one in real life. He’s set himself an extraordinary personal challenge to become a pro kickboxer in just 12 months. But even with the help of the best trainers in the world, can someone with no experience become a genuine contender in the bloodiest of sports?
Find out in the 3-part “Idris Elba: Fighter” which premieres in the UK on the Discovery channel tomorrow, January 17, with parts 2 & 3 airing on the 24th and the 31st. Unfortunately for Elba fans, no word on whether the series will be picked up for USA broadcast at this time; although, like the previous series he made with Discovery UK – “Idris Elba No Limits” – which was eventually made available for USA audiences, I’d expect “Idris Elba: Fighter” to travel as well.
Elba also producing the series via his company Green Door Pictures.
“It has been a lifelong ambition of mine to fight professionally. Entering the ring to further test myself as a human being is a challenge I have been looking to take on for quite some time,” Elba said in a previous press statement. “I’m taking on the toughest… challenges of my life for this new Discovery TV series. The extreme challenges take me right out of my comfort zone as I compete against the best.”
“Idris Elba: Fighter” is a Discovery Networks UK commission. It is produced by Shine North and Idris Elba’s production company Green Door Pictures.
Ahead of tomorrow’s UK premiere of the series, Discovery UK has released a an extended (8-minute) preview whcih is embedded below:
