The BBC has quietly added the sizzling sports drama 'Challengers' to its iPlayer platform, making it available for UK viewers to stream for free. The film, which was a box office hit and awards contender, has been described by critics as a 'sexy romp' and a 'seductive feast for the senses'.
A Sizzling Sporting Love Triangle
Directed by Luca Guadagnino of Call Me By Your Name fame, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach. After a career-ending injury, she moulds her husband, Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), into a Grand Slam champion. When his form dips, she enters him into a low-level 'Challenger' event, where he must face Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor) – his former best friend and Tashi's ex-boyfriend.
The ensuing drama, as the synopsis notes, 'reignites old rivalries on and off the court'. Upon its theatrical release in 2024, the film grossed an impressive $96 million (£71 million) worldwide and earned four Golden Globe nominations, winning for Best Original Score.
Critical Acclaim and Zendaya's Star Power
Reviewers universally praised the film's energy and performances. NME called it 'playful, sexy and compelling', while The Hollywood Reporter described it as 'smart, seductive and bristling with sexual tension'. For many, it marked a career-defining adult role for Zendaya, moving beyond her Disney and Euphoria roots. Metro noted it was the film that 'finally serves up Zendaya's star quality to an audience in the most undeniable way'.
In an interview with Variety, Zendaya explained her attraction to the complex role: 'I'd never seen a character like Tashi. And if I had seen a character like Tashi, it definitely wasn't someone like me playing them.' She embraced the challenge, stating, 'I just like to do things that stretch and push me.'
The Gruelling Tennis Boot Camp
To prepare, Zendaya and her co-stars underwent an intensive tennis training 'boot camp'. The actress, who admitted knowing nothing about the sport beforehand, immersed herself completely. 'I've pretty much seen every video, every match that's online... It became my thing,' she said.
Using her dance background to mimic the athletic movements, she shadowed a professional double, studying footage to synchronise her footwork and swing. 'It felt like summer camp,' she recalled of the experience training side-by-side with Faist and O'Connor. 'It was such a great time of learning a new skill.'
The arrival of Challengers on BBC iPlayer offers a perfect opportunity for UK audiences to experience one of the most talked-about films of the past year, combining high-stakes sports drama with a charged exploration of desire, ambition, and power.
