Disney Plus’ new crime drama A Thousand Blows looks set to fill the Peaky Blinders-shaped hole in my life, and there’s one big reason why
Have you had trouble getting the Peaky Blinders-shaped hole in your life since the wildly popular crime series ended? An upcoming Disney Plus show could end your long search for a worthy successor.
A thousand strokesAn epic TV series set in the Victorian era starring Malachi Kirby, Stephen Graham, and Erin Doherty looks and sounds like it could replace Thomas Shelby and co. as your go-to source for turn-of-the-century crime stories. Well, until the Peaky Blinders movie will debut on Netflix, whenever that is.
Anyway, A thousand strokes is not only in very capable creative hands, but it is also perfectly positioned to tide you and me over until the aforementioned crime film starring Cillian Murphy is ready for release. How so? Because Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders‘maker, is also the visionary behind A thousand strokes‘ development. Hey, I told you it’s in very capable hands.
Okay, so what is A thousand strokes about? Basically: illegal boxing in the 1880s. Oh, you wanted a deeper look at the story? Okay, here it is: “BAFTA award-winning actor Kirby (stars) as Hezekiah Moscow, who finds himself in the vibrant and violent crucible of the post-industrial revolution in the East End of London from Jamaica.
“He is drawn into the criminal underbelly of the thriving boxing scene and meets Mary Carr (Doherty), leader of The Forty Elephants – London’s notorious all-female gang – as they struggle to survive on the streets. As Hezekiah hone his new skills, he encounters Sugar Goodson (Graham), a seasoned and dangerous boxer, and the two soon become embroiled in an intense rivalry that spreads far beyond the ring.”
Knight gave a sneak peek at what viewers can expect, saying in a statement: “The love and care that has gone into this exciting production is evident on screen from the very first moment. What makes the story we’re telling even more compelling is that it’s based on the lives of real people who lived extraordinary lives in extraordinary times.”
The series’ three lead actors are joined by Francis Lovehall as Alec Munroe, Hezekiah’s best friend, Jason Tobin as Mr Lao and James Nelson-Joyce as Edward ‘Treacle’ Goodson.
The Forty Elephants stars Hannah Walters as Eliza Moody, Darci Shaw as Alice Diamond, Nadia Albina has been hired to play Verity Ross, Morgan Hilaire is Esme Long, Jemma Carlton has been cast as Belle Downer and Caoilfhionn Dunne completes this part of the ensemble as Anne Glover.
Finally, Susan Lynch stars as Jane Carr, Daniel Mays as William ‘Punch’ Lewis, Adam Nagaitis as the Earl of Lonsdale, Gary Lewis as Jack Mac, Tom Davis as Charlie Mitchell and Robert Glenister as Indigo Jeremy.
A thousand strokes will make its debut on Disney Plus (internationally) and sister streamer Hulu (U.S.) when the first season debuts sometime in 2025. It will also consist of six 60-minute episodes. And yes, when I say “first season,” I mean it, because a second chapter – which was filmed back-to-back with its predecessor – is already in production. As Knights works on Peaky Blinders is an indication, I would be surprised if A thousand strokes isn’t likely to make it onto our lists of best Disney Plus shows and best Hulu shows anytime soon.