Erin Doherty Joins Cast of Victorian London Boxing Drama

erin doherty
Erin Doherty Joins Victorian London Boxing TV ShowCourtesy of Disney+


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The creator of Peaky Blinders is back with a brand new period drama. A Thousand Blows, set in 1880s Victorian London, will dive into the world of illegal boxing.

Here's everything we know so far about the show:

Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, is behind A Thousand Blows.

Per Disney+ UK, "The thrilling series follows Hezekiah and Alec, two best friends from Jamaica who find themselves thrust into the vibrant and violent melting pot of post-industrial revolution London’s East End. Drawn into the criminal underbelly of the thriving boxing scene, Hezekiah meets Mary Carr, leader of The Forty Elephants – the notorious all-female London gang – as they battle for survival on the streets. As Hezekiah sharpens his new skills, he comes up against Sugar Goodson, a seasoned and dangerous boxer and the two are soon locked into an intense rivalry that spills out way beyond the ring."

The show stars Malachi Kirby, Erin Doherty, Francis Lovehall, and Stephen Graham.

Malachi Kirby will star as Hezekiah, one of the boxers, and Frances Lovehall will star as Alec, the other boxer.

Doherty, who previously starred as Princess Anne in The Crown, will play Mary Carr, the female gang leader, and Graham will play Sugar Goodson, another boxer. Graham will also serve as an executive producer.

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."'

Other cast who will play gang members in the Forty Elephants (a gang that really existed) include Hannah Walters as Eliza Moody, Nadia Albina as Verity Ross, Morgan Hilaire as Esme Long, Jemma Carlton as Belle Downer and Caoilfhionn Dunne as Anne Glover. The cast is rounded out by Jason Tobin as Mr. Lao, an unidentified character, and James Nelson-Joyce as Edward "Treacle" Goodson.

Production is currently underway in the UK.

stephen graham and erin doherty
Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty at a table read.Disney+

Filming is currently underway in the UK; Knight is the lead writer on A Thousand Blows. British historian David Olusoga will executive produce, along with Knight, Graham, Hannah Walters, Damian Keogh, Kate Lewis, Tom Miller, and Sam Myer.

No premiere date has been set yet.

The 12-episode show will air on Hulu in the U.S., on Disney+ globally, and on Star+ in Latin America.

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