Co-produced by Ti22 Films and Ant Media & Productions, the 10-episode intense reality series will broadcast on OSNtv and stream on OSN+ in 2026.
A new high-intensity reality competition series co-produced by Ti22 Films, Special Forces Trilogy, is set to film its debut season across the UAE, with casting now open for adult residents. The show will feature 20 participants who will undertake demanding military-style challenges designed to test their endurance, resilience and mental strength in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Created by former UK Special Forces soldier and global television figure Ant Middleton—best known for the hit series SAS: Who Dares Wins—the series will be hosted by Middleton himself. Known for conquering peaks such as K2 and Mount Everest, he brings real-world experience to the format. The first season will air exclusively on OSNtv and stream on OSN+ in 2026.
The show is co-produced by Ti22 Films and Ant Media & Productions. Ti22 Films has a track record in the region, previously producing Studio Expo for Dubai Media Incorporated during Expo 2020 and collaborating with Dubai One on the lifestyle programme DXB Today. Ti22 Films CEO Reim El Houni and Senior Producer and Director Jasmine Mehta are serving as co-executive producers, working alongside Middleton to create a unique format for regional audiences.
Across 10 episodes filmed in locations spanning Dubai and Hatta, the selected contestants will face a series of rigorous, specially engineered tasks that challenge them physically, mentally and emotionally. Applications are open until November 23, with producers encouraging both men and women in the UAE to apply and showcase their fitness in front of millions of viewers.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the official selection event on November 25, coinciding with the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025, where they will undergo a series of assessments at Danube Sports World. On November 28, The Brain & Performance Centre by Aviv Clinics will conduct further evaluations, focusing on mental resilience and overall fitness as part of the stringent screening process.
The launch of Special Forces Trilogy supports Dubai Government’s wider efforts to promote health and wellbeing among its residents and visitors, making the series a strong addition to OSN and OSN+’s growing portfolio of regional and international content.
Speaking about the show, Ant Middleton said: “I’m thrilled to be bringing my format to the region for the very first time. Special Forces Trilogy is arguably the toughest course on the planet. It’s a competitive journey of self discovery that pushes people to their limits physically, mentally, and emotionally. The landscapes of Dubai and Hatta provide the perfect backdrop for this challenge, and I am excited to be working with Ti22 Films and OSN to deliver something truly unique.”
Reim El Houni, Founder of Ti22 Films, added: “Special Forces Trilogy represents a defining moment for regional television production – it’s ambitious, highly engaging, and unlike anything audiences here have seen before. With a new and unique format created by Ant Middleton, Ti22 Films is looking forward to bringing his vision to life by capturing the region’s spirit of resilience and determination for the Middle Eastern audiences. Partnering with Ant and OSN will give us the opportunity to deliver something truly original for regional and global audiences alike.”
Rolla Karam, SVP, Content Acquisition & Arabic Channels Programming, stated: “We’re proud to launch Special Forces Trilogy in the region. Working with Ant Middleton and Ti22 Films on a format of this scale, reflects how far regional production has come and where it’s headed next. It’s an ambitious project that showcases Dubai and Hatta on the global stage and adds an exciting new title to our line-up of exclusive formats on OSNtv and OSN+.”
