Disney+ has confirmed the return of A Thousand Blows, the critically acclaimed period drama created by Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight. The series, led by Stephen Graham, will officially debut its six-episode second season on January 9, 2026 — nearly a year after its original run earlier this year.
Set in 19th-century London, A Thousand Blows dives into the city’s underground world of bare-knuckle boxing, centering on two Jamaican friends — Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall) — as they rise through the ranks. The series also follows the Forty Elephants led by Mary Carr (Erin Doherty)— a real all-women crime syndicate that operated during the 1880s — giving voice to one of history’s most overlooked criminal networks.
Season 2 picks up one year after the explosive finale. Boxer Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) is now “a shadow of the man he once was,” while self-proclaimed boxing boss Henry “Sugar” Goodson (Graham) finds himself estranged from his family and drowning in guilt. Just as the neighborhood of Wapping begins to fade, Mary Carr (Erin Doherty) storms back into town with her loyal second, Alice Diamond (Darci Shaw), to rebuild her gang and reclaim her crown — and this time, the stakes are even higher.
Knight, who spoke with Screen Rant about the show’s development, revealed that A Thousand Blows was renewed for a second season before the first had even aired — a rare show of confidence from Disney+. “We were into shooting episode three when Disney made the leap of faith to say, ‘We think this is definitely going to work,’” Knight said. He credits the immersive realism of the show’s set — a fully built 1880s East End recreation along the Thames — for helping secure the early renewal.
As for what’s ahead, Knight teased a deeper and more personal journey for Hezekiah: “The revenge that he’s talking about is quite unexpected… but it’s rooted deeply in his past and in his character.” Meanwhile, Mary Carr’s transformation continues to be shaped by her real-life historical record, which Knight used as a creative springboard: “There are long periods of nothing, and then you get a court case where she’s accused of something. What I’ve done is sort of build up a backstory around that.”
Knight also hinted that fan-favorite characters will return — including Jason Tobin’s mysterious Mr. Lao — and that Alice Diamond’s role will expand as her leadership within the Forty Elephants comes into focus.
A Thousand Blows Season 2 premieres January 9, 2026, exclusively on Disney+. Season 1 is available to stream now.