In the inaugural teaser for A Thousand Blows, Sugar Goodson, portrayed by Stephen Graham, asserts, “No one gets to take from me and live. No one.” This intense crime drama is the latest creation from Steven Knight, known for his work on Peaky Blinders. Similar to his acclaimed series, A Thousand Blows promises to deeply examine England’s past while immersing audiences in a gripping criminal underbelly rife with tension, treachery, and brutality.
Set in the East End of London during the 1880s and inspired by various true stories, the narrative centers on two Jamaican friends, Hezekiah (Malachi Kirby) and Alec (Francis Lovehall), who desperately navigate the perilous world of East London’s crime scene. Their journey leads them to cross paths with Mary Carr (Erin Doherty), a formidable leader of an all-female gang, and they soon find themselves in conflict with Sugar Goodson, whose ruthless nature is matched only by his talent as an underground boxer.
Alongside Graham, Kirby, Lovehall, and Doherty, the ensemble cast features Ziggy Heath, Jason Tobin, James Nelson-Joyce, Tom Davis, and Ella Lily Hyland. The series debuted at this year’s London Film Festival, showcasing its first two episodes to eager fans. The teaser trailer is available for viewing below.
Steven Knight is currently one of Hollywood’s most prolific writers and directors. His lineup for 2024 includes noteworthy projects such as the FX espionage thriller The Veil, featuring Elisabeth Moss, and Maria, a new film starring Angelina Jolie and directed by Pablo Larraín. However, 2025 looks exceptionally promising, with A Thousand Blows set to premiere and Netflix releasing Knight’s long-anticipated film, The Immortal Man. This project, which began filming in late September, reintroduces Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders. Other cast members include Graham, Rebecca Ferguson, Barry Keoghan, and Tim Roth, with Knight behind the screenplay.
The anticipation for The Immortal Man is palpable, and A Thousand Blows is poised to become another hit for Knight. If the teaser is any indication, viewers can expect a captivating experience akin to Peaky Blinders, making it one of the most highly awaited TV releases of the coming year.
A Thousand Blows is slated to debut on Hulu in 2025.
