Erin Doherty swaps royalty for robbery as The Crown star portrays gang leader in A Thousand Blows

Known for playing strong women, Erin Doherty is shooting her toughest role yet: as the leader of a notorious gang of thieves in Victorian London.

The actress, who became famous as Princess Anne in The Crown, will play Mary Carr, who led the Forty Elephants, who terrorized the West End in the 1880s and early 1900s, in the 12-part Disney drama A Thousand Blows.

Ms Doherty is first seen in the role alongside Peaky Blinders actor Stephen Graham, 49, who plays boxer Sugar Goodson.

In scenes filmed in London last week, Mrs Doherty, 30, dressed in a red jacket and floor-length patterned skirt, hugs Graham, whose face is covered in cuts and bruises.

He is also seen touching her face tenderly, suggesting that their characters have a close relationship.

Carr was a notorious thief at the age of 14, when she already had several convictions. She later created the Forty Elephants and became her first queen due to her experience selling stolen property and carrying out heists.

Police reported thousands of pounds of clothing and jewelry stolen in a single raid.

It wasn’t until the 1950s, after Carr’s death, that the gang was caught. But she made her mark as one of the most ruthless female criminal groups of all time.