Peaky Blinders may have concluded its tale of gritty showdowns and tough women, but Disney+'s A Thousand Blows is the new addiction for fans missing the series' intense drama. With an increasing focus on adult-oriented content, Disney+ has already produced a range of edgy hits including the sultry Rivals and the nerve-wracking The Bear. Now they're bringing us back to the gas-lit streets of London in the 1800s with A Thousand Blows, plunging into a world where toxic fumes waft through the air and the unwary end up in the Thames.
At the heart of this period sensation is Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby), journeying from Jamaica alongside his pal Alec (Francis Lovehall) with dreams of taming lions that are soon dashed against the grim reality of bare-knuckle boxing in a seedy pub, squaring off against the daunting Henry "Sugar" Goodson (Stephen Graham). Meanwhile, Mary Carr oversees her domain as the formidable leader of the infamous Forty Elephants, an all-woman gang set on escaping the squalor of the East End for something grander.
And for those long-time Corrie fanatics, it's hard to forget Katherine Kelly's transformation from the rough-and-ready Becky Granger to the poised Lady Mae in ITV's Mr Selfridge back in 2013, proving she’s an acting chameleon that continues to stun viewers. As Doherty transitions from playing Princess Anne in Netflix's The Crown, she is set to pull a Katherine Kelly in reverse, delivering a standout performance that truly steals the spotlight.
While A Thousand Blows narrates Hezekiah's journey from poverty to champion boxer as he constantly clashes with veteran fighter Sugar Goodson, it's Mary Carr who pulls the strings at the heart of the show. However, This Is England and Peaky Blinders star Stephen Graham certainly keeps fans on edge. Sugar Goodson remains offscreen for most of the first episode of A Thousand Blows, his name spoken in hushed tones as if he were a mythical creature lurking in the shadows.
So when he does appear, the tension is tangible. Not just because of the prolonged anticipation or the heightened hype from ring announcer and barman William Punch Lewis (Daniel Mays), but due to his bulked-up physique, a stark contrast to his role as Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire. Despite standing just over 5ft 5in tall, there's no doubt that Sugar will do whatever it takes to win a match, whether that involves biting, headbutting or even killing if necessary.
Alongside the powerful performances from the stellar cast and the bold writing of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, what makes A Thousand Blows particularly unforgettable is its basis in real-life events. In contrast to the fictional Tommy Shelby and his gang in the renowned BBC drama, Hezekiah Moscow, Sugar Goodson and Mary Carr were real-life characters who walked the streets of London over a century ago.
Now, leap forward to 2025, and an entirely new generation is discovering their overlooked histories, which would have remained buried in dusty library archives if not for the creators of this soon-to-be Disney+ sensation. With a second season already greenlit by Knight himself, A Thousand Blows is set to make its mark. A Thousand Blows premieres on Friday, February 21, on Disney+. Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox.
