A Thousand Blows
Malachi Kirby as Hezekiah Moscow in A Thousand Blows
Steven Knight, the mastermind behind Peaky Blinders, is back with his new show, A Thousand Blows, a gritty true story-inspired Victorian-era crime drama that delivers knockout performances and a fresh twist on the genre.
Set in the grimy, violent streets of 19th-century London, A Thousand Blows follows two Jamaican immigrants, Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall), as they navigate the treacherous world of underground boxing. Along the way, they cross paths with the Forty Elephants, an all-female gang led by the cunning Mary Carr (Erin Doherty), who has an uneasy alliance with the ruthless veteran boxer Henry ‘Sugar’ Goodson (Stephen Graham). The show dives headfirst into themes of racism, feminism, and the role of sport as a social leveller — sometimes with finesse, sometimes with fists-first brutality.
Erin Doherty as Mary Carr in A Thousand Blows
The Women Who Rule the Underworld
One of A Thousand Blows’ biggest strengths is the Forty Elephants, the real-life gang of women who ran sophisticated shoplifting and extortion operations. Mary Carr is the show’s answer to Tommy Shelby — calculating, fearless, and always three moves ahead. Watching her navigate a world that underestimates her is as satisfying as it is infuriating.
The Forty Elephants' execution of elaborate heists while navigating the patriarchal constraints of Victorian society is anchored by Doherty’s, with her character embodying the show’s feminist themes as she outsmarts rivals and orchestrates her rise to power.
However, the series doesn’t always give the Forty Elephants the focus they deserve. While their overarching heist is a thrilling thread, their smaller day-to-day scams feel underexplored, which leads to a lull in pacing during the middle portion of the six-episode run.
Boxing: The Great Equaliser — or Just Another Scam?
If the Forty Elephants bring the brains, boxing brings the brawn. A Thousand Blows leans into the spectacle of the sport, taking cues from Rocky with its rags-to-riches tale, fight scenes, trash talk, and shady promoters looking to rig the game. Hezekiah’s journey from the streets to the ring is brutal and exhilarating, showing how boxing offers a way out of poverty, but only for those willing to risk it all.
Kirby’s performance is hauntingly powerful as he grapples with his past trauma and the racism he endures in London. The boxing ring becomes a metaphor for social mobility, where skill and showmanship can elevate even the most marginalised. However, the series doesn’t romanticise the sport, instead highlighting the exploitation and corruption that often accompany it.
Racism and Brotherhood in a Melting Pot
A Thousand Blows doesn’t pull its punches when addressing racism. Although Hezekiah and Alec’s journey from Jamaica to London is fraught with prejudice, their unbreakable bond provides a poignant counterpoint to the hostility they encounter.
Much like Peaky Blinders, A Thousand Blows thrives on themes of loyalty, ambition, and revenge. Stephen Graham’s performance as the menacing bare-knuckle fighter turned standover man, who clings to his modicum of status makes for compelling drama, even when the pacing stumbles.
While the show doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does deliver the kind of grit, tension, and stylish violence that period crime drama fans crave. With jaw-dropping set designs, a gripping atmosphere, and a fresh twist on a formula, A Thousand Blows is a worthy contender.
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