Disney+ has made waves recently with the launch of its new series, A Thousand Blows, which transports viewers to the gritty underbelly of Victorian London during the 1880s. The series stars notable actors such as Stephen Graham, known for his role in Boiling Point, as Sugar Goodson, and Erin Doherty from The Crown. With the narrative centered around illegal boxing, the show already has fans buzzing with excitement.
A Thousand Blows explores the life of its titular character, Henry “Sugar” Goodson, played by Graham. Sugar is not your typical boxer; he is portrayed as both dangerous and deeply layered. This six-part series follows his interactions with two Jamaican characters, Hezekiah Moscow and Alec Munroe, who navigate the challenges of bare-knuckle boxing and survival. Played by Malachi Kirby and Francis Lovehall respectively, these characters add richness to the narrative, providing insights about their own struggles and aspirations.
The storyline is inspired by the true historical backdrop of The Forty Elephants, all-female crime syndicate based in the Elephant and Castle area during the 1870s. Viewers are treated to a story about resilience and ambition, particularly through the experiences of Hezekiah, who pursues his dreams against all odds.
Critics have already begun to commend the series, rating it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and averaging 8.4 out of 10. On social media, audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Users on X have claimed it to be one of the best shows they’ve ever seen, with comments praising its production quality and performances. One user summed it up as “top-tier,” remarking how the first episode instantly hooked them.
Fans highlight various aspects of the show, from its beautiful production design to the powerful performances by its leading cast. Especially noteworthy is Graham’s impressive physical transformation for the role; he reportedly gained two stone to convincingly embody the boxer. His portrayal of Sugar Goodson is already being labeled magnificent, and the overall casting has been described as excellent.
The creator of the show, Steven Knight, is not new to weaving stories set within the working class drama genre, having found success with Peaky Blinders. But Knight made it clear to reporters, including those from Metro, the importance of A Thousand Blows standing alone, irrespective of his previous work. He remarked, “There are similarities and differences,” stating the program itself tells unique, individual stories even as it shares thematic elements with his past shows.
Interestingly, the basis for A Thousand Blows was cultivated during Knight’s work on Peaky Blinders, where he conceptualized the show’s direction and its origins. Development formally began in August 2022, which led to filming taking place throughout 2023. Knight has certainly tapped back onto the essence of working-class struggles, characters who battle against the tides of societal norms.
Kirby commented on the significance of their characters, expressing, “It’s what it looks like to not just survive but thrive in society and fight for your dreams, essence.” He delved deep to unravel the unfamiliarity with this narrative representation of Jamaican life during the 1800s, emphasizing, “This is a time before reggae music, this is a time of Jamaica as, I guess, a lot of people haven’t really seen it.”
Lovehall added to this sentiment, stating, “It centres a different narrative - I’ve never watched something...that follows two Jamaican men with dreams.” He highlighted the importance of presenting Caribbean characters not as victims but as individuals with aspirations and integrity.
With the first season already made available for streaming, the anticipation for the second season has only escalated, paving the way for viewers to engage more with these compelling narratives. Beyond fulfilling its purpose as mere entertainment, the show promises to invite discussions around identity, culture, and the often overlooked contributions of Jamaican characters to the historical narrative of Britain.
Fans of gritty period dramas are likely to find A Thousand Blows not just another series to binge but rather, something deeply enriching and culturally significant. With its powerful storytelling, stellar performances, and authentic portrayal of historical realities, it is shaping up to be one of Disney+’s standout offerings.