A Thousand Blows: A Dive into Victorian London’s Underworld
The real EastEnders of the Victorian era are set to captivate audiences in Disney+’s new series A Thousand Blows. The show immerses viewers in the gritty world of bare-knuckle boxing, gang culture, and petty crime, showcasing the vibrant yet dangerous street life of London in the 1880s. Crafted by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, this series stars Stephen Graham, who also takes on the role of executive producer, alongside Erin Doherty, who portrays the fierce leader of an all-female gang known as the Forty Elephants.
To ensure historical accuracy, the creators collaborated with historian Professor David Olusoga, who serves as an executive producer. The first season of A Thousand Blows is set to premiere on Disney+ this week, with a second season already in the pipeline.
Erin Doherty and Stephen Graham star in ‘A Thousand Blows’ (Photo: Robert Viglasky/Disney+)
What is A Thousand Blows About?
A Thousand Blows transports viewers to the perilous realm of illegal boxing, set against the backdrop of London’s brutal East End in the 1880s. The storyline follows Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall), two best friends from Jamaica who find themselves entangled in London’s thriving bare-knuckle boxing scene. As Hezekiah rises to fame and fortune, he becomes increasingly intertwined with the notorious leader of the Forty Elephants, Mary Carr (Erin Doherty).
Mary, dubbed the Queen of the Forty Elephants, exploits Hezekiah’s boxing talents to enhance her criminal operations. Meanwhile, Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham), the self-proclaimed emperor of the East End boxing world, seeks to eliminate Hezekiah, viewing his ambitions to fight in the prestigious West End as a direct threat to his empire. This leads to an intense clash between the old and new worlds.
Who is in the Cast of A Thousand Blows?
Stephen Graham
Stephen Graham takes on the role of Sugar Goodson (Photo: Disney+). He is the self-styled emperor of the East End boxing scene. At 51 years old, Graham is also an executive producer for the show alongside his wife, Hannah Walters. He describes his character as “a very complex individual, which was a joy to portray,” admitting that mastering the art of boxing required significant effort. Graham is an award-winning actor known for his roles in acclaimed films such as Gangs of New York, This is England, The Irishman, and Boiling Point. He has also gained recognition for his performances in Boardwalk Empire, Line of Duty, and Boiling Point.
Malachi Kirby
Malachi Kirby portrays Hezekiah Moscow, a Jamaican who relocates to London to pursue boxing (Photo: Robert Viglasky/Disney+). At 35, Kirby is a British actor and writer who won a BAFTA in 2020 for his exceptional performance as Darcus Howe in Small Axe: Mangrove. His previous work includes roles as Wayne Ladlow in EastEnders, Kunta Kinte in Roots, Michael Garwick in Curfew, and Oliver Harris in Devils.
Erin Doherty
Erin Doherty stars as Mary Carr, the formidable gang leader and Queen of the Forty Elephants (Photo: Robert Viglasky/Disney+). At 32, Doherty gained fame for her portrayal of Princess Anne in the third and fourth seasons of Netflix’s The Crown. She has also played Becky in the psychological thriller Chloe and Clare in the upcoming film Reawakening.
Francis Lovehall
Francis Lovehall plays Alec Munroe, Hezekiah’s best friend (Photo: Robert Viglasky/Disney+). He starred as Reggie in Steve McQueen’s Lovers Rock, part of the Small Axe anthology series. Lovehall also appeared as Laurent in the television series Champion and as Allerton Mcnaught in the 2022 film Death on the Nile.
The cast of A Thousand Blows also features:
- James Nelson-Joyce as Treacle Goodson (Strike, The Family Pile)
- Jason Tobin as Mr. Lao (Warrior, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift)
- Jemma Carlton as Belle Downer (Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, Maxine)
- Ziggy Heath as Peggy Bettinson (One Life, Greatest Days, Harlots)
- Morgan Hilaire as Esme Long
- Darci Shaw as Alice Diamond (The Irregulars, The Bay)
- Daniel Mays as William Punch Lewis (Moonflower Murders, Franklin, Temple)
- Will Bagnall as Thomas Goodson
Where is A Thousand Blows Filmed?
A Thousand Blows was filmed on location in London, with a former brewery in the southwest of the city serving as the backdrop for various street scenes. The Story Works studio, located within the brewery, played a crucial role in the series’ production. The historic Stag Brewery in Mortlake, which is slated for conversion into residential housing, provided the setting for the Victorian-era East End. Filming also took advantage of the picturesque towpath along the Thames in Mortlake and utilized some of London’s iconic Victorian architecture and cobbled streets.
When is A Thousand Blows Airing and How Many Episodes Are There?
A Thousand Blows launches on Disney+ in the UK on Friday, February 21. All six episodes of the series will be available for streaming, but viewers will need a subscription to Disney+, which starts at £4.99 per month in the UK. For more details, check the Disney+ website.
