The world of sports is often defined by the grandeur of victories and the heartbreak of defeats. Yet, behind every champion is a story of relentless dedication, unyielding perseverance, and profound personal sacrifice.
ESPN+’s new original series, In The Arena: Serena Williams, premiering today, offers an intimate look into the life and career of one of the greatest athletes of all time. Through eight captivating episodes, the series unveils Williams’s journey from a young tennis prodigy to a global icon while highlighting the personal and professional challenges she has faced and conquered.
Front Row recently had the opportunity to speak with director Gotham Chopra and co-director Lauren Fisher, who provided exclusive insights into the creation and development of the series.
How did you ensure the authenticity of her story while directing the series?
The entire premise of In The Arena (including season 1 with Tom Brady), and one of the things that makes it unique, is our exclusive focus on the subject themselves and those who were right there with them during their journey. Except for archival, we do not include subjects who weren’t there or a part of it (on either side of the court/field) as a key component/driver of the series. So, for Serena, it was about her trusting us with that level of intimacy, a trust that was deeply rooted and nurtured over time before production began and really blossomed as we worked with her on the show.
What were some of the most challenging aspects of directing this series?
So much of the story we want viewers to experience on this series has nothing to do with scores or serves; rather we want them to experience what it was like for Serena in her heart as well as her mind. To achieve this, we have to go beyond archival footage and interviews and use impressionistic imagery, whether it be through animation or bespoke live-action footage, to make this journey as visceral as possible. This adds a level of complexity to the storytelling that requires a lot of creativity and craftsmanship. Luckily, Serena is such an excellent storyteller which made our jobs a lot more fun in this aspect.
What was a surprising discovery you made during the production?
Serena’s persona on the court is obviously very, very serious and sometimes fiery. We were all so delighted by how Serena was so incredibly candid, emotional during her interviews and also very funny. Any good story needs to have high, lows but also levity and Serena brought all of that, no matter the subject.
What impact do you hope In The Arena: Serena Williams will have on its viewers?
Serena has been in the spotlight for decades and I think because of that most people feel like they know her. My hope is that viewers, whether they are mega fans of hers or just have a casual interest, will find the beauty in the universal messages and relatability of her journey. Her transcendence on the court is awe inspiring, but also how she has grappled with grief, love, sisterhood, mortality and more is something I hope will be striking and enlightening.
The 2024 ESPYS Presented by Capital One will be hosted by tennis legend and cultural icon Serena Williams live (Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC) from The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Visit ESPN Press Room for more details.
(Kristina BumphreyESPN Images)
