BBC Three will be releasing a five-part documentary series following UK-based Excel Esports’ professional League of Legends team in early 2021. The series, called Fight for First: Excel Esports, will be narrated by Golden Globe-nominated actor Cillian Murphy. Fight for First will follow Excel’s journey through the 2020 League of Legends European Championship (LEC) Spring split.

The series will follow the team as they fight for glory against the best competitive League of Legends teams Europe has to offer. The team, made up of Ki “Expect” Dae-han, Marc “Caedrel” Lamont, Son “Mickey” Young-min, Patrik “Patrik” Jírů, and Tore “Tore” Hoel Eilertsen, finished seventh in this year’s LEC Spring split. Ending the regular season with a 7-11 win/loss record meant the team narrowly missed out on a spot in the play-offs, and a chance at the World Championship.

The series will be available to stream via BBC iPlayer sometime early next year. Along with Cillian Murphy’s narration, Simon Rawles is confirmed to produce and direct the series.

“At EXCEL, whilst competing at the elite level, we pride ourselves on always striving to be better, and the series demonstrates how we practise, prepare and play,” says Excel Esports co-founder and chief gaming officer Kieran Holmes-Darby. “Not only will it offer our fans a deeper look into what we do, but it will also offer people who are completely new to esports a fascinating perspective of our exciting industry.”

Excel Esports has expanded considerably since its founding in 2014, recently announcing British football player Dele Alli as the organization’s first global ambassador. Along with their League of Legends team, the organization sponsors professional Fortnite player Jaden “Wolfiez” Ashman.

“The BBC Three in-house documentary team have created a fascinating series and true insight into the world’s fastest growing sport – and one that has a huge following and importance to our audience,” says BBC controller Fiona Campbell. “We’re excited to be the first UK broadcaster to follow an esports team through a global esports competition, taking viewers behind the scenes as the teenage team members juggle competing on a world stage with their lives at home.”

Fight for First: Excel Esports will release in early 2021.

Source: BBC