Actor Stephen Graham is reuniting with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight to work on a brand new project for Disney+. The 49-year-old actor will star in a new period drama, titled A Thousand Blows, which has been written by 63-year-old renowned screenwriter Steven.
The 12-part "thrilling" series is set in the world of illegal boxing in Victorian London and follows best friends Hezekiah and Alec, both from Jamaica, as they are thrust into the 1880s East End, following the industrial revolution. The synopsis says they are drawn into the criminal underbelly of the boxing scene and Hezekiah meets Mary Carr, leader of The Forty Elephants – a notorious all-female London gang – as they battle for survival on the streets.
Stephen Graham, who is best known for roles in This is England, Line of Duty and more recently Code 404, BBC drama Time and Channel 4's Help alongside Jodie Comer, will star as Sugar Goodson. His character is said to be "a seasoned and dangerous boxer" who Hezekiah finds himself up against and their rivalry goes beyond the boxing ring.
Stephen previously worked alongside screenwriter Steven when he starred in the sixth and final series of Peaky Blinders, playing Hayden Stagg. As well as starring in the production, Stephen will serve as an executive producer as his production company, Matriarch Productions, will co-produce the series.
Speaking about this latest project, Stephen Graham said: “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.”
Steven Knight is lead writer on the production, but episodes have also been 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,” Steven said on the announcement:
“I always love to delve into untold history," He added: "And this is a story that really deserves to be told. We are recreating an amazing world and telling a remarkable true story.”
The UK original series will premiere on Disney+ globally, Star+ in Latin America and Hulu in the US.
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