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
Production
Executive producers
Production location London
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
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, 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 a lion tamer, and his best friend Alec Munroe, fight for survival as they come into contact with both groups. [2] [3]

Cast

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]

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] There are also roles for Darci Shaw, Ziggy Heath, Susan Lynch and Robert Glenister. [8]

Principal photography began in March 2023, with filming taking place in London. [6] 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 ChappellFebruary 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, 92% of 15 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.3/10. [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.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ 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. ↑ 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.
  6. 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.
  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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/a_thousand_blows
  11. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/21/a-thousand-blows-review-the-irresistible-new-boxing-drama-from-the-peaky-blinders-creator
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