“His best drama ever”: Stephen Graham’s “hailed” series A Thousand Blows returns with some “unexpected” twists

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 may well be the Adolescence star's best drama ever and the good news for fans is that the series is returning for a second run with some unexpected twists.

While the first series ended on an almighty cliffhanger, the series showrunner, Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight, has revealed that series 2 has already been filmed – and that we should “expect the unexpected”. With filming already complete, it means there shouldn’t be a too 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 how you can watch it.

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?

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.” He also added that, in an unexpected twist, there might be a little time jump forward from the 1880s, where series 1 was set. “But we do have the second series in the can and we all want to keep this story going and I think we will and just take it towards the 21st century," he said.

If you've watched series 1, you'll know it culminated with a major fallout between Hezekiah and Mary, which also (spoiler) meant the end of their romance. We'd therefore expect the new series to revisit that relationship, and cover Sugar's fractured relationship with his brother, Treacle (James Nelson-Joyce).

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 also likely to make 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
• Tom Davis as Charlie Mitchell
• Gary Lewis as Jack Mac
• Robert Glenister as Indigo Jeremy
• Susan Lynch as Jane Carr
• Ella Lily Hyland as Marianne Goodson

Unless it’s in flashbacks, however, we’re unlikely to see Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall), Hezekiah’s best friend, as (spoiler alert) – he met an unfortunate fate in series one.

How can I watch A Thousand Blows series 2?

Disney+ is yet to share a release date for A Thousand Blows series 2, but as soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here. In the meantime, you can catch up on the first series here.