A Thousand Blows coming to Disney+
August 24, 2022
By Nik Roseveare
Disney+ has announced A Thousand Blows (working title), a new 12-part series set in the perilous world of illegal boxing in 1880s Victorian London. The series will be brought to life by screenwriter Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Taboo), starring and executive produced by British screen icon Stephen Graham (This is England, Boardwalk Empire, The Irishman). The series is being produced by The Story Collective in a co-production with Matriarch Productions and Water & Power Productions.
The UK Original series will premiere on Disney+ globally, Star+ in Latin America and Hulu in the US.
The series follows Hezekiah and Alec, two best friends from Jamaica who find themselves thrust into the vibrant and violent melting pot of post-industrial revolution London’s East End. Drawn into the criminal underbelly of the thriving boxing scene, Hezekiah meets Mary Carr, leader of The Forty Elephants – the notorious all-female London gang – as they battle for survival on the streets. As Hezekiah sharpens his new skills, he comes up against Sugar Goodson, a seasoned and dangerous boxer played by Graham, and the two are soon locked into an intense rivalry that spills out way beyond the ring.
Tinge Krishnan (Mosquito Coast, Industry) will serve as lead director and executive producer. The Original series is executive produced by Lee Mason, Director of Scripted Content EMEA for Disney+.
Knight commented: “I’m really thrilled to be working on this project with Stephen as well as the very talented production team and group of writers. I always love to delve into untold history, and this is a story that really deserves to be told. We are recreating an amazing world and telling a remarkable true story.”
Graham added: “To be able to work with Steve again and the talented team of writers we have for this project is truly wonderful, and to tell the story of these incredible characters during this period of time in London is a joy. Aside from having the privilege of bringing the role of Sugar Goodson to life, I am also extremely proud that Matriarch is co-producing this show whilst helping to create opportunities for people in front of and behind the camera, instilling the ethos of providing training within production that otherwise would be difficult for some to pursue as a career. ‘Don’t count the days… Make the days count.’ – Muhammad Ali.”
Lee Mason, Director of Scripted Content, EMEA, Disney+, commented: “It’s a privilege to work with this extraordinary group of talent, helmed by our fearless creator Steven Knight. A Thousand Blows tells a story that we rarely get to see on screen, and we are delighted to have the inimitable Stephen Graham and visionary Tinge Krishnan help bring this incredible world of richly diverse characters to life.”
Disney+ will be creating 60 local productions by 2024 as it continues to work with outstanding creators and premium producers as part of the company’s commitment to source, develop and produce original productions in Europe.