Following a stellar year that saw him co-create the global phenomenon Adolescence and portray Bruce Springsteen's father, Stephen Graham is back with the bone-crunching return of his Victorian boxing thriller. The second season of 'A Thousand Blows' lands on Disney+ on Friday 9 January, promising more explosive action and deep character drama from Graham and his creative partner, writer Steven Knight.
From Rock Bottom to Redemption
The new season picks up a year after the events of the first, finding Graham's character, bare-knuckle fighter Henry "Sugar" Goodson, at his absolute nadir. Estranged from his family and drowning in alcohol, he is a far cry from the formidable pugilist viewers once knew. "He's at his lowest point ever," Graham reveals, noting that even Sugar's physical state—complete with straggly hair and a case of trench foot—serves as a metaphor for his tragic path.
Graham, a teetotaller in real life, taps into childhood memories to portray drunken despair authentically. "I saw a lot of great pissheads!" he laughs, recalling observations in working men's clubs. This season, Sugar's most significant fight is an internal one, grappling with the guilt of having brutally beaten his own brother, Edward "Treacle" Goodson, played by James Nelson-Joyce.
Historical Grit and Female Power
Interwoven with Sugar's story is the return of the Forty Elephants, the real-life all-female crime syndicate led by the cunning Mary Carr, portrayed by Erin Doherty. Knight emphasises the show's commitment to social history from the bottom up. "It's the truth. Real social history, rather than the stuff you read in textbooks," he says, highlighting how the gang challenged gender norms in the late Victorian underworld.
Both creator and star heap praise on Doherty's performance. "The only word I can use for Erin is mesmeric," Graham states, recalling powerful scenes where Mary aids Sugar's recovery. Knight adds, "You can't imagine anyone else playing Mary Carr."
Beyond the Awards: The Real Accolade
Despite his recent Emmy win and Golden Globe nomination for Adolescence, Graham retains a grounded perspective on industry accolades. He values human impact over trophies, citing a moment when a stranger thanked him for sparking a crucial conversation with his son. "No disrespect but you can keep your awards and all that shiny bollocks. That's the real accolade," he asserts.
He also points out the subjectivity of awards, using Cillian Murphy's lack of a Bafta for Peaky Blinders as an example. "One of the finest performances I've ever seen. What the fuck's that about?" Graham questions, arguing that true cultural impact often comes from unexpected places.
What's Next for the Dynamic Duo?
The prolific partnership between Graham and Knight shows no sign of slowing. Next up is the highly anticipated Peaky Blinders film, 'The Immortal Man', set for release in March, with Graham reprising his role as union leader Hayden Stagg. "It was a total riot to make," Graham teases, while Knight proudly calls it "fucking brilliant."
Knight is also penning the screenplay for the next James Bond film, a "dream come true." When asked about a potential Scouse 007, Graham is clear: "I'd rather be a villain. It'd be more fun." A sentiment Knight confirms is common among great actors.
As for a potential third season of A Thousand Blows, Graham is optimistic, hinting that Knight has "next level" ideas. "If the stars align, there could be a whopper on its way," he says, leaving fans eager for more rounds in this critically acclaimed series.
