A Thousand Blows

Last updated

A Thousand Blows
A Thousand Blows Disney+ UK.jpg
Genre
Created by Steven Knight
Starring
Composer Federico Jusid
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
  • Steven Knight
  • Tinge Krishnan
  • Stephen Graham
  • Hannah Walters
  • Damian Keogh
  • Kate Lewis
  • Tom Miller
  • Sam Myer
  • David Olusoga
  • Lee Mason
Cinematography
  • Milos Moore
  • Catherine Derry
  • Rasmus Arrildt
Editors
  • Al Morrow
  • Jo Smyth
  • Peter Christelis
  • Carly Brown
  • Mark Davis
  • Daniel Lapira
  • Brin
  • Simone Nesti
Production companies
Original release
Network Disney+
Release21 February 2025 (2025-02-21) –
present

A Thousand Blows is a British historical 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 season premiered on 21 February 2025 on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu in the United States.

Contents

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 that specializes in shoplifting and confidence tricks. They 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 a lion tamer, and his best friend Alec Munroe, fight for survival as they come into contact with both groups. [2] [3]

Cast and characters

Main

Supporting

Production

The concept for the series was the brainchild of actress Hannah Walters, who pitched her idea to Steven Knight. 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]

The series stars an ensemble cast which includes Erin Doherty, [5] Malachi Kirby [6] and Stephen Graham [4] in lead roles while Francis Lovehall, James Nelson-Joyce, Jason Tobin, Hannah Walters, Morgan Hilaire, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Jemma Carlton, Nadia Albina, Tom Davis, Daniel Mays, Darci Shaw, Gary Lewis, Susan Lynch, and Robert Glenister round out the main cast. [7] [3] [8]

Principal photography began in March 2023, with filming taking place in London. [5] In February 2025, ahead of the series premiere, it was confirmed that a second season had been filmed. [3] [9]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Episode 1"Tinge Krishnan & Nick Murphy Steven Knight February 21, 2025 (2025-02-21)
2"Episode 2"Tinge Krishnan & Nick MurphySteven KnightFebruary 21, 2025 (2025-02-21)
3"Episode 3" Coky Giedroyc Insook Chappell February 21, 2025 (2025-02-21)
4"Episode 4" Ashley Walters Harlan DaviesFebruary 21, 2025 (2025-02-21)
5"Episode 5"Ashley WaltersAmeir BrownFebruary 21, 2025 (2025-02-21)
6"Episode 6"Ashley Walters Yasmin Joseph February 21, 2025 (2025-02-21)

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]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 90% of 40 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Punching up an intriguing era of British history with creator Steven Knight's flare for genre grit, A Thousand Blows is riveting entertainment that leaves a bruise." [10] Lucy Mangan of The Guardian awarded the first series five stars out of five, praising the depth of storytelling and themes. [11]

References

  1. 1 2 Vlessing, Etan (16 January 2025). "Erin Doherty Battles Stephen Graham Outside the Ring in 'A Thousand Blows' Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. 1 2 3 Kelly, Liam (16 February 2025). "Peaky Blinders Steven Knight: 'Lawlessness always catches one's eye as a writer'". The Telegraph . Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  4. 1 2 Goodfellow, Melanie (24 August 2022). "Steven Knight, Stephen Graham Team On Disney+ Original Period Drama 'A Thousand Blows'". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  5. 1 2 Ritman, Alex (16 March 2023). "'The Crown' Star Erin Doherty Joins Disney+ Period Boxing Drama 'A Thousand Blows'". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  6. ↑ Goldbart, Max (28 February 2023). "'Small Axe' Star Malachi Kirby Boards Steven Knight Disney+ Drama 'A Thousand Blows'". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Cormack, Morgan (21 February 2025). "A Thousand Blows season 2: Release date speculation and latest news". Radio Times. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ "A Thousand Blows | Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  11. ↑ Mangan, Lucy (21 February 2025). "A Thousand Blows review – the irresistible new boxing drama from the Peaky Blinders creator". The Guardian.
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