Review of A Thousand Blows on Disney+: Peaky Blinders meets Ripper Street

Steven Knight, the brains behind Peaky Blinders, has done it again with the captivating A Thousand Blows, now streaming on Disney+. This time, Knight dives back to Victorian London in the 1880s, a seedy and corrupt era known for the infamous Jack the Ripper. The series follows the lives of key figures like boxer Henry “Sugar” Goodson, a pair of Jamaican newcomers chasing opportunities in the British Empire’s heart, and Mary Carr, the East End’s criminal mastermind leading an all-female gang known as the Forty Elephants.

In the first episode, Carr’s crew kicks off with a clever but cheeky scam, showcasing the era’s colorful characters entangled in personal and professional schemes. Daniel Mays brings life to the show with his role as the eccentric boxing promoter, Punch Lewis, making sure you get your Jamaican rum, not surgical spirit. The plot thickens as scandalous activities unfold, including an imminent visit from an Imperial Chinese delegation and daring heists at iconic London landmarks.

The bare-knuckle boxing world is electric with intense battles led by Sugar Goodson, until he faces off against Jamaica’s rising star, Hezekiah Moscow. As the drama unfolds, Knight uses flashback scenes to paint a picture of the British Army’s harsh history in the Caribbean, blending colonialism and racism with exaggerated characters and a gripping storyline.

Despite the mix of high society and underworld shenanigans, it’s hard to sympathize with any character fully, given their larger-than-life personas. With intense fighting, colorful language, and a generous dose of deception, this show is a thrilling ride through Victorian London’s underbelly. If you’re a fan of Peaky Blinders or historical dramas, A Thousand Blows is a must-watch on Disney+.