Steven Knight and Stephen Graham are to team up for a brand new Disney+ series.
Provisionally titled, A Thousand Blows, the 12-part show is set in the perilous world of illegal boxing in 1880s Victorian London.
It’s brought to life by acclaimed screenwriter Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Spencer Taboo), starring and executive produced by British screen titan Stephen Graham (Help, Time, The Irishman).
Joining Graham on the cast are BAFTA award-winning actor Malachi Kirby (Anansi Boys, Small Axe) and Erin Doherty (Chloe, The Crown) .
A full teaser shares: “The thrilling series follows Hezekiah (Kirby) and Alec – played by Francis Lovehall – 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 (Doherty), 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 (Graham), a seasoned and dangerous boxer and the two are soon locked into an intense rivalry that spills out way beyond the ring.”
Additional cast joining the production are Jason Tobin as Mr Lao and James Nelson-Joyce as Edward “Treacle” Goodson. The Forty Elephants will feature Hannah Walters as Eliza Moody, Nadia Albina as Verity Ross, Morgan Hilaire as Esme Long, Jemma Carlton as Belle Downer and Caoilfhionn Dunne as Anne Glover.
Steven Knight, Creator, Writer, Executive Producer, said: “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.”
Stephen Graham, Star and Executive Producer, 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.”
The UK Original series will premiere on Disney+ globally, Star+ in Latin America and Hulu in the US.
More on: Disney+
