Stephen Graham's acclaimed period drama A Thousand Blows has confirmed a season 2 release date and a first look set of stills too. The hit show debuted earlier in 2025 on Disney+, with a second run set to follow nearly a year later.
Created by Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight, the series focuses on the 19th century underground world of bare-knuckle boxing in London's East End, centring on two friends from Jamaica who rise up the ranks. The show also follows an all-women crime syndicate called the Forty Elephants.
The streamer has now revealed that all six episodes of the second season will debut on 9 January, 2026, while a new set of official photos showing stars Graham, Erin Doherty and Malachi Kirby back as Henry 'Sugar' Goodson, Mary Carr and Hezekiah Moscow can be viewed below.
The upcoming episodes follow events one year after the first season, as boxer Hezekiah is "a shadow of the man he once was", while self-appointed boxing boss Sugar is "estranged from his family and drinking himself to death".
"Just as Wapping is about to sigh its last breath, Mary Carr bursts back into town with her loyal second, Alice Diamond, to reassemble her gang and reclaim her crown," the synopsis adds. "As always, Mary has a plan; one which will involve all those she holds dearest. And this time it's riskier than ever."
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New cast additions for season 2 include Peaky Blinders' Ned Dennehy as Bull Jeremy and Slow Horses' Catherine McCormack as Sophie Lyons.
A Thousand Blows sits at an impressive score of 88% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 43 reviews, with Variety calling the show "masterful".
"Using the throughline of boxing as it transforms from bare fist fighting into the sport we know today, Knight spins a thrilling story about a group of outsiders who demand much more than society is willing to give them," they added.
Related: The unbelievable true story that inspired Steven Knight's A Thousand Blows
iNews said Peaky Blinders fans "will find a lot to like in this Dickensian boxing tale", adding that it "stands on its own two feet and never feels derivative or unimaginative".
"A Thousand Blows is a very engaging drama series that fans of Knight’s previous work – namely Peaky Blinders – will undoubtedly enjoy thanks to its exploration of a historical time that many may be familiar with but won’t know the exact details of," added The People's Movies.
A Thousand Blows season 2 will premiere on 9 January, 2026 on Disney+. The first season is available to stream now on Disney+.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
