‘A Thousand Blows’: Disney Orders UK Original Boxing Drama From Steven Knight & Stephen Graham

17

Disney+ has ordered a new UK Original series from the man behind ‘Peaky Blinders’, Steven Knight, and British acting legend Stephen Graham (‘Help’, ‘Time’, ‘The Irishman’).

The epic new 12-part series, currently under the working title of ‘A Thousand Blows‘, 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 Stephen Graham, and the two are soon locked into an intense rivalry that spills out way beyond the ring.

The series is created, written and executive produced by Steven Knight, the visionary creator of BBC’s ‘Peaky Blinders’, Apple’s ‘SEE’, and the upcoming drama ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’. He will serve as lead writer for the series, with episodes also written by Ameir Brown, Insook Chappell, Harlan Davies and Yasmin Joseph.

“I’m really thrilled to be working on this project with Stephen as well as the very talented production team and group of writers,” said Steven Knight, Creator, Writer, Executive Producer. “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 is set to star and will also serve as executive producer alongside Hannah Walters for Matriarch Productions, Damian Keogh and Kate Lewis for The Story Collective, and Tom Miller and Sam Myer for Water & Power Productions. Award-winning broadcaster and historian Professor David Olusoga will also act as executive producer on the series.

“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,” adds Stephen Graham, Star and Executive Producer. “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.”

Tinge Krishnan (‘WeCrashed’, ‘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+.

“It’s a privilege to work with this extraordinary group of talent, helmed by our fearless creator Steven Knight,” commented Lee Mason, Director of Scripted Content, EMEA, Disney+. “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.”

‘A Thousand Blows‘ (working title) is a UK Original series that will premiere on Disney+ globally, Star+ in Latin America and Hulu in the US. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when they get a UK premiere date.