Stephen Graham’s hit Victorian boxing drama, A Thousand Blows, made our jaws drop when it arrived on Disney+ earlier this year - and not only due to the hench boxer’s physique he honed for the show. It's been described by fans as the Adolescence star's best drama ever series and the good news is, it's returning for a second run in record time!
While the first series ended on an almighty cliffhanger, the series showrunner, Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight, has revealed that in series 2, we should “expect the unexpected”. With filming already complete and a release date now confirmed, it means there's not long wait to find out the fates of Mary Carr (Erin Doherty), Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham) and Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby).
Until then, here’s everything you need to know about the new series, including the cast, plot and release date.
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What is A Thousand Blows about?
The Disney+ drama is based on the true story of a Jamaican boxer, Hezekiah Moscow (played by Small Axe’s Malachi Kirby), who came to live in London’s East End in the 1880s. In series 1, we saw him drawn into the criminal underbelly of the area – and the illegal boxing scene.
Quickly coming into Hezekiah’s orbit was all-female gang leader, Mary Carr (Erin Doherty), who fronts The Forty Elephants criminal group, constantly on the rob of unsuspecting punters in the area; and of the fearsome Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham), a dangerous pub owner and boxer, who'd rather see his opponents dead that lose a match to them. The “ripping yarn” – as one critic called it – saw rivalries, violence and romances spill out from the boxing ring, ending in a heart-stopping cliffhanger.
What will happen in A Thousand Blows series 2?
According to Disney+, the second series is set one year later and Hezekiah is a shadow of the man he once was whilst Sugar Goodson is estranged from his family and drinking himself to death. The official synopsis continues: "Just as Wapping is about to sigh its last breath, Mary Carr bursts back into town with her loyal second, Alice Diamond, to reassemble her gang and reclaim her crown. As always, Mary has a plan; one which will involve all those she holds dearest. And this time it's riskier than ever."
Creator Steven Knight has teased what we can expect from series 2, saying, “I can't give a lot away, but it's more of the same, expect the unexpected but the stakes are higher.” Very excitingly, we also know that there are some new faces joining the cast.
Who will star in A Thousand Blows series 2?
We know that the duo of Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty– described by one critic as “truly mesmerising” – will return, as their characters, Mary and Sugar, are linked by a deep, dark, shared history that we’re likely to see more of explored in the second series. Malachi Kirby will also be resuming his role as plucky boxer Hezekiah.
The following cast members are making an appearance in series 2:
- James Nelson-Joyce as Edward 'Treacle' Goodson
- Hannah Walters as Eliza Moody
- Darci Shaw as Alice Diamond
- Morgan Hilaire as Esme Long
- Jemma Carlton as Belle Downer
- Caoilfhionn Dunne as Anne Glover
- Nadia Albina as Verity Ross
- Daniel Mays as William 'Punch' Lewis
- Gary Lewis as Jack Mac
- Robert Glenister as Indigo Jeremy
- Susan Lynch as Jane Carr
- Ella Lily Hyland as Marianne Goodson
- Jason Tobin as Mr. Lao
- Aliyah Odoffin as Victoria Davies
New cast members for series 2 include:
- Ned Dennehy as Bull Jeremy
- Catherine McCormack as Sophie Lyons
How can I watch A Thousand Blows series 2?
Good news - Disney+ has confirmed that A Thousand Blows series 2 will premiere on 9th January 2026 on Disney+ in the UK & Ireland. All six episodes will be available at launch. In the meantime, you can catch up on the first series here.
