CINEMA NEWS – A Thousand Blows is a true story set in 1880s London, depicting the struggle for survival of ruthless East End gangs. The series is not just about boxing, it also addresses social issues, full of excitement, action, history and romance. The first season of the self-produced series, brought to life by acclaimed screenwriter Steven Knight (The Shroud, A Christmas Carol), will arrive on the platform on February 21, 2025, and filming for the second season has already concluded.
BAFTA award-winning Malachi Kirby, aka Hezekiah Moscow, arrives from Jamaica with his friend Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall) and finds himself in the vibrant and violent melting pot of post-industrial London’s East End, a world of gangs and bare-knuckle boxing. They are drawn into the thriving boxing scene of the criminal underworld, where Hezekiah quickly makes a name for himself as a talented boxer. He meets Mary Carr (Erin Doherty (“The Crown”)), the leader of the Forty Elephants – a notorious all-female London gang – who wants to use the man’s talent for her own nefarious purposes. The self-styled, brutal lord of the local underground brawl, Henry “Sugar” Goodson, played by Stephen Graham (“The Hot Spot,” “The Gangsters”), is determined to take down Hezekiah, who is eyeing the West End boxing scene, because he fears he is putting his empire in danger. The two soon develop a fierce rivalry that goes far beyond the ring. The series also stars Jason Tobin as Mr. Lao and James Nelson-Joyce as Edward “Treacle” Goodson. Eliza Moody is played by Hannah Walters, Alice Diamond by Darci Shaw, and Verity Ross by Nadia Albina. Esme Long is played by Morgan Hilaire, while Belle Downer is played by Jemma Carlton. Anne Glover is played by Caoilfhionn Dunne. Susan Lynch appears as Jane Carr, and Daniel Mays as William “Punch” Lewis. Adam Nagaitis will play the Earl of Lonsdale, while Gary Lewis will play Jack Mac. Tom Davis will play Charlie Mitchell and Robert Glenister will play Indigo Jeremy in the series.
The first season of A Thousand Blows is created, written and produced by Steven Knight. The series is directed by Tinge Krishnan, Nick Murphy, Ashley Walters and Coky Giedroyc. The cast and executive producers include Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters of Matriarch Productions, Damian Keogh and Kate Lewis of The Story Collective, and Tom Miller and Sam Myer of Water & Power Productions. Award-winning presenter and historian Professor David Olusoga will serve as executive producer, Tom Miller as series producer, and Barrington Robinson and Jo Johnson will serve as producers. The self-produced series is being produced by Lee Mason, Director of Scripted Content, for Disney+.
Source: Disney Plus press release
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