Suranne Jones is to produce a drama about Britain’s first female boxing world champion.
The 41-year-old actress has secured the rights to the story of Jane Couch, who won a legal battle allowing women to box in 1998 and became world champion.
The 51-year-old fighter went on to write her memoir ‘The First Round’, which Suranne and her TeamAkers Production banner will develop into a series, alongside ‘Gentleman Jack’ producer Lookout Point.
Speaking of her latest collab, Suranne said: "As soon as I met Jane, I knew I wanted to tell her story from her perspective and shine a light on this amazing woman who paved the way so others in her position could succeed.
"TeamAkers cannot wait to get started on developing ‘The Final Round’, and we’re thrilled to be working with Faith and the team at Lookout Point – we know it’s going to make fantastic television."
The TV series is set to tell the story of how Jane would visit top boxing venues all over the world at a time when it was still illegal for women to box in the UK, before she instigated a legal battle against the UK Boxing Board of Control.
Now, Jane is thrilled her story will shine light on her struggle and hopes it will help improve the issues that are still ongoing in the boxing world.
She added: "After all the struggles I went through in my career, the fights in the ring, with the media, and in the courts, it’s great that my story will be seen by a whole new audience and the people who helped me along the way, like Sarah and Dinah, will get the recognition they deserve. Women’s boxing has come a long way with Katie Taylor and Nicola Adams OBE becoming household names. But there’s still so much more that needs to be done. Hopefully, my story will help."
As a writer is yet to be attached to the series, the production team will soon be conducting a search for a young female actor to play Jane, and Suranne will also star alongside her.
Suranne Jones secures rights to female boxer story
