A Thousand Blows Cast & Real-Life Character Comparison Guide

The new series created by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, A Thousand Blows, is now available for streaming on Hulu, and its cast is one reason why it's worth a watch. A Thousand Blows takes place in late 19th century London and follows the interactions between those involved in underground bare-knuckle boxing and their clashes with the Forty Elephants, a real-life crime ring run by women. While it has just been released, it already seems apt to argue that it is one of the best shows on Hulu right now.

A Thousand Blows has already gotten positive reviews, with critics noting the phenomenal performances of its entire cast, great historical setting, and interesting plot. Likewise, ahead of its wide release for audiences, A Thousand Blows debuted with an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score, and it has since gone up to a whopping 92% critical approval rating. Appropriately, the series' cast is great throughout, leaving audiences to wonder what else the stars have been in.

Malachi Kirby As Hezekiah Moscow

Date Of Birth: September 20, 1989

Active Since: 2009

Actor: Malachi Kirby was born in Battersea, London in 1989, and first became interested in acting during high school. Kirby attended acting school and began his career in theatrical productions before moving to television with appearances on British shows such as EastEnders. Since then, Kirby has gained attention in episodes of acclaimed shows like Roots and Black Mirror. Malachi Kirby has also appeared in films such as Small Axe: Mangrove and, more recently, Wicked Little Letters.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie/TV Show	Role
The Last Showing	Clive
Fallen	Roland Sparks
EastEnders	Wayne Ladlow
Roots	Kunta Kinte
Black Mirror	Stripe in "Men Against Fire"
Small Axe: Mangrove	Darcus Howe
Wicked Little Letters	Bill

Character: In A Thousand Blows, Malachi Kirby portrays Hezekiah Moscow. He has recently emigrated from Jamaica and is looking to make his name in London for the first time. He is joined by his friend Alec Munroe, but the two wind up in trouble after they cross paths with both Henry "Sugar" Goodson, a notorious boxer in an illegal boxing group, and Mary Carr, the leader of the Forty Elephants, a women's only crime group.

Stephen Graham As Henry "Sugar" Goodson

Date Of Birth: August 3, 1973

Active Since: 1990

Actor: Stephen Graham was born in Lancashire, England in 1973, and he began acting as a young child. After appearing in small roles in several movies and TV shows during the 1990s, Graham gained broader recognition in 2000 after starring in Guy Ritchie's film Snatch. Graham has starred in a variety of different roles throughout his career, gaining roles in everything from Gangs of New York to the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Stephen Graham has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career and has several impressive upcoming roles.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie/TV Show	Role
Snatch	Tommy
Gangs of New York	Shang
Public Enemies	Baby Face Nelson
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides	Scrum
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy	Jerry Westerby
Hellboy	Gruagach
Rocketman	Dick James
The Irishman	Anthony "Tony Pro" Provenzano
Venom: Let There Be Carnage	Patrick Mulligan

Character: Stephen Graham plays the main role of Henry "Sugar" Goodson in A Thousand Blows. Sugar Goodson is one of the leading bare-knuckle boxers in the illegal boxing world of London's East End. Throughout the season, Goodson is at odds with Mary Carr and the Forty Elephants. However, he also has a growing rivalry with newcomer Hezekiah Moscow.

Erin Doherty As Mary Carr

Date Of Birth: July 16, 1992

Active Since: 2016

Actor: Erin Doherty was born in Crawley, England in 1992, and she has often acted in theatrical productions since beginning her career. In the second half of the 2010s, Doherty held small roles in British productions. However, Erin Doherty is likely best known for starring as Princess Anne in two seasons of the popular series The Crown. She has also appeared in the movies Firebrand and Reawakening, and has another project, Adolescence, releasing soon on Netflix.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie/TV Show	Role
Call the Midwife	Jessie Marsh
The Crown	Princess Anne
Chloe	Becky
Firebrand	Anne Askew
Reawakening	Clare

Character: Erin Doherty portrays the Forty Elephants leader, Mary Carr, in A Thousand Blows. The Forty Elephants were a real-life crime syndicate with only women members, and Mary Carr is inspired by their real historical members. Throughout the series, she and her group run into disagreements with Sugar Goodson, and she grows closer with Hezekiah Moscow.

A Thousand Blows Supporting Cast & Characters

Francis Lovehall As Alec Munroe: Lovehall appears as Alec Munroe, a close friend of Hezekiah Moscow, in A Thousand Blows. Lovehall has appeared in the shows His Dark Materials, Masters of the Air, and Champion, and he has also played roles in the movies Small Axe: Lovers Rock and Death on the Nile.

Ziggy Heath As Peggy Bettinson: Heath appears as Peggy Bettinson in A Thousand Blows. He began his career in theater, but he has also appeared in numerous British television series such as What Remains, Black Mirror, The Miniaturist, and more. Ziggy Heath has also recently appeared in the films Greatest Days and One Life.

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James Nelson-Joyce As Treacle Goodson: In A Thousand Blows, the character Treacle Goodson is played by James Nelson-Joyce. Nelson-Joyce has appeared in series such as Shameless, Mount Pleasant, World on Fire, The Outlaws, Industry, and more. He has also appeared in several films, including Guy Ritchie's The Covenant and Bird.

Jason Tobin As Lao: Jason Tobin stars in A Thousand Blows as Lao, another member of Goodson's world. Tobin has appeared in numerous films and shows throughout his career, but he is likely best known for his appearances in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and F9, along with his role in the series Warrior.

Jemma Carlton As Belle Downer: Jemma Carlton appears as the character Belle Downer throughout A Thousand Blows. Previously in her career, Carlton has starred in the shows Maxine, The Cleaner, and Lockerbie: A Search for Truth.