The next chapter of the gritty Victorian boxing drama A Thousand Blows is almost here. Following a successful first season, the show created by Steven Knight is returning for a second season that continues the brutal story of fighters and gangsters in 1880s London. The new season finds our main characters broken and adrift, facing the consequences of their past actions with even higher stakes.
Where Season 2 Finds the Characters
The new season picks up the story about a year after the explosive events of the season one finale. The characters are in dramatically different places, each dealing with the fallout in their own way.
Hezekiah Moscow, played by Malachi Kirby, is back on the underground boxing circuit but is a changed man. Series creator Steven Knight says, “He’s a bit lost. He has unfinished business… he’s decided life isn’t for him.” The hopeful man who arrived in London is gone, replaced by someone who has “lost faith in the goodness of human beings” after Mary’s betrayal and the death of his best friend, Alec.
Stephen Graham’s character, Sugar Goodson, is in an even darker place. He has hit rock bottom, becoming a “catatonic, self-loathing drunk” wandering the East End. Knight describes Sugar’s state simply: “He’s alive because he’s breathing, and that’s it.” He is consumed by guilt after brutally beating his brother, Treacle, and is isolated from nearly everyone.
As for Mary Carr, leader of the Forty Elephants gang, she is dealing with the heartbreak of losing Hezekiah. Her actions from the first season continue to haunt her, leaving her future uncertain.
The Historical Story and New Directions
While A Thousand Blows is a drama, it is very loosely based on the lives of real people from the 1880s London underworld. This historical foundation gives clues to where the story might be headed.
A key character to watch is Alice Diamond, played by Darci Shaw. In the first season, she was introduced as a protégé to Mary Carr. Steven Knight has hinted that her role will grow significantly, stating, “Alice is, for me, the standout. She’s in series one, but we’re starting to follow her quite closely, because eventually, she’s going to become something special.” Historically, Alice Diamond was the most famous leader of the Forty Elephants, which suggests Mary’s reign as queen may be challenged.
The story of Punch Lewis, a key ally of Sugar’s, may also follow history. The real Punch Lewis died just two years after opening the Blue Coat Boy pub, which could mean Sugar is about to lose his last remaining friend.
Furthermore, the real Sugar Goodson faced a famous trial for an illegal boxing match dubbed the “Prize Fight in a Chapel.” With the police already showing interest in the underground fights in season one, it is possible Sugar could find himself in a courtroom in season two.
Behind the Scenes and Release Details
Fans will not have to wait long to see what happens next. The second season of A Thousand Blows was filmed back-to-back with the first season. Creator Steven Knight confirmed this approach, explaining they shot both seasons “pretty much back to back, with a break in the middle for the crew’s sanity.” This means the production sets, costumes, and cast were already in place, making the process efficient.
The official release date for the new season is January 9, 2026. All six episodes of the season will be available to stream on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu in the United States. Steven Knight had previously promised that “you won’t have to wait too long” for the next season, and the confirmed date holds true to that.
Knight has teased that the new season raises the stakes dramatically for all the characters. He said, “In Season 2, the stakes are much higher. It’s the same characters on a continuation of the journey, but now the journey has so much more jeopardy in it.” While keeping specific plot points under wraps, he added, “I can’t give a lot away but it’s more of the same, expect the unexpected but the stakes are higher.”
Also Read: Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters Reflect on ‘Adolescence’ Global Impact and Season 2 Possibility
