Peaky Blinders Creators Steven Knight and Peaky Blinders Celebrities Stephen Graham , two of the biggest and most respected names in British TV, are reuniting for a Disney+ UK original series set in a dangerously illegal setting Boxing World 1880 Victorian London, Hollywood Reporter exclusive.
Tentative name Thousand Strikes , No. Parts of the series will premiere globally on Disney+, Star+ in Latin America and Hulu in the US, produced by The Story Collective in association with Matriarch Productions and Water & Power Productions.
The series will be based on real people and stories about two best friends from Jamaica, Hezekiah and Alec, who find themselves drawn into a dynamic and violent Great melting pot. Industrial Revolution East London. Trapped in the criminal underbelly of the booming boxing world, Hezekiah meets Mary Carr, leader of the notorious London all-female gang The Forty Elephants, as they fight for survival on the streets. As Hezekiah improves his new skills, he meets Sugar Goodson, a seasoned and dangerous boxer (Graham’s first after the 2015 feature) Playing Orthodox ) in a second boxer match, the two soon entered into a bitter rivalry that spilled over beyond the ring.
A Thousand Blows was created, written and executive produced by Knight, whose screenplay – with Blinders Together – Also includes Spencer , Taboo and the upcoming series SAS: Rogue Heroes . As well as starring in the series, Graham – recently seen on TV HELP, TIME (both earned him BAFTA TV Nominated) and the sixth and final season of Blinders – to be executive produced with Hannah Walters for Matriarch Productions, the company that recently Founded by husband-and-wife duo ( A Thousand Blows marks its first TV project). Also executive producing Damian Keogh and Kate Lewis for The Story Collective launched last year with the support of Endeavour Content , And Tom Miller and Sam Myer for The Story Collective Water & Power Productions, behind the recent Sony classic The Phantom of the Open , starring Mark Rylance and Sally Hawkins.
“I’m really excited to work on this project with Stephen and the very talented production team and writers team,” said Knight, who led a team of writers including Ameir Brown, Insook Chappell, Harlan Davies and Yasmin Joseph. “I’ve always loved exploring untold history, and this is a true story to tell. We’re rebuilding a wondrous world and telling a remarkable true story.”
Adding some academic pedigree to A Thousand Strikes , award-winning broadcaster and historian Professor David Olusoga – who delivered the keynote of the MacTaggart Lecture at 2020 Edinburgh Television Festival – will serve as executive producer of the series. Meanwhile, Tinge Krishman’s impressive list of TV credits includes WeCrashed,Mosquito Coast,Industry and Little America will serve as lead directors and executive producers. The original series is executive produced by Lee Mason, Disney+ Scripted Content EMEA Director.
This project is really great and it’s been a joy to tell the stories of these incredible characters during this time in London,” said Graham, who this year Earlier, he earned his first BAFTA film nomination for the critically acclaimed one-off kitchen dramaBoiling Point, Matriarch’s debut.
“In addition to being honored to bring Sugar Goodson’s character to life, I’m also very proud that Matriarch is co-producing the show, while helping people create opportunities both on and off the camera, to instill the experience of providing training in the production Spirit, otherwise it will be difficult for some to make it a profession,” he continued. “‘Don’t count the days…let the days count’ – Muhammad Ali. “
Disney+’s Mason added: “It has been a privilege to work with this extraordinary group of talents, helmed by our intrepid creator, Steven Knight. A Thousand Strikes tells a story we rarely see on screen, and we are delighted to have the unrivaled Stephen Graham and visionary Tinger Krishnan to help Bring this incredible world of rich and diverse characters to life. “
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