A Thousand Blows is a British television drama series created by Steven Knight about the Forty Elephants, an all-female crime syndicate clashing with the world of illegal bare-knuckle boxing in 1880s London. The first series premiered on 21 February 2025 on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu in the United States. In February 2025, ahead of the series premiere, it was renewed for a second series.
Premise
Set in the East End of London in the 1880s, the series follows the Forty Elephants, an all-female crime syndicate led by Mary Carr, who specialize in shoplifting and confidence tricks, and who clash with Henry "Sugar" Goodson, the self-declared emperor of the East End's illegal bare-knuckle boxing world.[1] Additionally, Hezekiah Moscow, a newly immigrated man from Jamaica with ambitions to become lion tamer, and his best friend Alec Munroe, fight for survival as they come into contact with both groups.[2][3]
Cast
- Malachi Kirby as Hezekiah Moscow
- Stephen Graham as Henry "Sugar" Goodson
- Erin Doherty as Mary Carr
- Francis Lovehall as Alec Munroe
- Ziggy Heath as Peggy Bettinson
- Jason Tobin as Lao
- James Nelson-Joyce
- Nadia Albina as Verity Ross
- Jemma Carlton as Belle Downer
- Caoilfhionn Dunne as Anne Glover
- Morgan Hilaire as Esme Long
- Ruaridh Mollica as Nicholas Graften
- Tom Davis
- Ella Lily Hyland
- Darci Shaw as Alice Diamond
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Tinge Krishnan & Nick Murphy | Steven Knight | February 21, 2025 |
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Tinge Krishnan & Nick Murphy | Steven Knight | February 21, 2025 |
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Coky Giedroyc | Insook Chappell | February 21, 2025 |
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Ashley Walters | Harlan Davies | February 21, 2025 |
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Ashley Walters | Ameir Brown | February 21, 2025 |
| 6 | "Episode 6" | Ashley Walters | Yasmin Joseph | February 21, 2025 |
Production
The concept for the series was created by Steven Knight while he was working on his television series Peaky Blinders, which is also about a criminal group working in London but set in 1920s Birmingham.[3] In August 2022, it was revealed that a twelve episode boxing drama was in development, with Knight set as showrunner with Tinge Krishnan as lead director and an executive producer alongside Knight.[4].
Malachi Kirby stars in the lead role,[3] alongside Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, Francis Lovehall, Jason Tobin, James Nelson-Joyce, Nadia Albina, Morgan Hilaire, Jemma Carlton, Caoilfhionn Dunne, and Ella Lily Hyland.[5][6][7]
Principal photography began in March 2023, with filming taking place in London.[6] In February 2025, ahead of the series premiere, it was renewed for a second season.[3][8]
Release
A Thousand Blows was first shown at BFI London Film Festival on 11 October 2024. It premiered on 21 February 2025 on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu in the United States.[1][2]
References
- ^ a b Vlessing, Etan (January 16, 2025). "Erin Doherty Battles Stephen Graham Outside the Ring in 'A Thousand Blows' Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ a b King, Jordan (21 August 2024). "Stephen Graham Is A Victorian London Boxer In Disney+ Series A Thousand Blows – First Look". Empire. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d Kelly, Liam (16 February 2025). "Peaky Blinders Steven Knight: 'Lawlessness always catches one's eye as a writer'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (August 24, 2022). "Steven Knight, Stephen Graham Team On Disney+ Original Period Drama 'A Thousand Blows'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (February 28, 2023). "'Small Axe' Star Malachi Kirby Boards Steven Knight Disney+ Drama 'A Thousand Blows'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Ritman, Alex (March 16, 2023). "'The Crown' Star Erin Doherty Joins Disney+ Period Boxing Drama 'A Thousand Blows'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Emily, Olivia (21 July 2023). "'I Cried Constantly – I Thought It Was So Visceral': Ella Lily Hyland On Fifteen Love, Prime Video – Interview". Countryandtownhouse.com. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Haley (17 February 2025). "A Thousand Blows season 2 given the green light days ahead of Disney+ debut, Steven Knight confirms". Yahoo News. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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