'A Thousand Blows': Stephen Graham throws punches in gritty boxing drama

LOS ANGELES -- From Steven Knight, the creator of "Peaky Blinders," comes "A Thousand Blows," a new Hulu Original series streaming now.

In the newly released trailer, viewers are introduced to Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall), two best friends on the run from Jamaica. Hezekiah finds himself thrust into the perilous and illegal boxing scene of "the lion's den," aka 1880s Victorian London, where "you learn to fight" to survive.

Soon, his success attracts the likes of Mary Carr (Erin Doherty), Queen of the Forty Elephants, "the biggest gang of female thieves in the whole of London," as well as Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham), the "self-declared emperor of the East End boxing world," who is determined to take Hezekiah down.

In an inside look at "A Thousand Blows," the cast and crew break down the characters and their dynamics within the brutal fight world.

There's also "love, laughter. All of those things we need as human beings," Graham said.

Hulu gives us a closer look at the Forty Elephants gang in this featurette. Knight explained, "The Forty Elephants were the most successful and ruthless female gang in the whole of Britain."

Inspired by real lives, the gang in this story "are so much more independent than women generally were in that time," said hair and makeup designer Sian Wilson.

Carr spoke about her character. "Mary will do everything within her power to prove herself."

In another behind the scenes look at the series, Graham and Kirby opened up about their training regimens.

"I had to get in the best shape I've ever been in. I trained quite a bit, 'cause, I mean, I'm 50!" Graham laughed.

"Training was proper exciting, man. Like, I literally felt like I was in a bit of a 'Rocky' movie," Kirby explained. "There was definitely a bit of natural fear."

Their boxing coach, Jamal Akay, gave insight on how to achieve the boxer mindset. "To get the feel of the actual boxing atmosphere, you start training here with the real blood-stained canvas. It doesn't matter where you come from. Anyone can take part in this sport. Anyone can glove up. Anyone can step into those ropes."

"A Thousand Blows" season one is created, written and executive produced by Knight.

Graham stars and serves as an executive producer.

The cast also includes Jason Tobin, James Nelson-Joyce, Hannah Walters, Darci Shaw, Nadia Albina, Morgan Hilaire, Jemma Carlton, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Susan Lynch, Daniel Mays, Adam Nagaitis, Gary Lewis, Tom Davis and Robert Glenister.

The six-episode first season of "A Thousand Blows" is streaming now on Hulu.

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