Wait, Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty already had a gritty masterpiece before Adolescence? Well, if you are still recovering from Adolescence¡¯s gut-wrenching intensity, here¡¯s something you might¡¯ve missed: Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty actually teamed up before this Netflix hit, and no one is talking about it.
Enter A Thousand Blows, a Disney+ crime drama that somehow slipped under the radar despite being the perfect mix of Peaky Blinders chaos and real-life gangster history. Seriously, how did we all sleep on this?
Set in the underbelly of 19th-century London, A Thousand Blows brings to life the notorious Forty Elephants, an all-female gang that mastered the art of theft, deception, and dodging the law. Erin Doherty absolutely dominates as Mary Carr, the gang¡¯s cunning leader known for her string of aliases and an even longer rap sheet. Picture a Victorian-era crime boss with a closet full of stolen goods (literally, their voluminous skirts were perfect for shoplifting).
Then there¡¯s Stephen Graham, who transforms into Henry "Sugar" Goodson, a terrifying pub owner and underground boxing champ with a past as murky as the Thames at midnight. His connection to Mary goes way back to their workhouse days, and while history doesn¡¯t confirm if they were besties, their paths collide in ways that make for some seriously gripping TV.
But let¡¯s talk about how A Thousand Blows delivers more than just knockout performances (pun intended). This series feels like Peaky Blinders¡¯ rebellious little sibling, gritty, raw, and bursting with history that will send you down a Google rabbit hole at 2 AM. It¡¯s got brutal brawls, high-stakes heists, and a world so rich in detail you¡¯ll swear you can smell the cigar smoke and muddy streets.
And here¡¯s a fun fact for you: right after wrapping up A Thousand Blows, Stephen Graham was so impressed with Erin Doherty that he personally reached out to get her on Adolescence. Yep, that¡¯s the kind of talent we are dealing with here.
So, if you loved their performances in Adolescence, it¡¯s time to hit play on A Thousand Blows. Because trust me, you are missing out on some seriously underrated TV gold.