British actor Stephen Graham has stunned fans with a ‘physically scary’ transformation for his latest role as a brutal bare-knuckle boxer in the upcoming Disney+ series, A Thousand Blows.
The series, created by Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight, is set in 1880s London and follows the underground world of illegal boxing and gang warfare. Graham stars as Sugar Goodson, a feared veteran fighter and self-declared emperor of the East End boxing scene.
Knight, who has worked with Graham on Peaky Blinders and its upcoming film, has hailed the actor as “one of the best on the planet.”
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The Grueling Transformation: ‘I Wanted to Look Like a Bulldog’
Graham, 51, underwent an intense six-month training program to reshape his physique for the role. His goal? To bulk up and embody the raw power of a Victorian-era brawler.
“First of all, I slimmed down, and then I bulked up. It was five meals a day—lots of eggs, chicken, rice, broccoli, vegetables, vitamins. It was tough,” he told LADbible.
With the help of a dedicated trainer and boxing coach, Graham committed to a strict gym routine, training two hours a day while refining his fighting style.
His inspiration came from legendary fighters: “I wanted a cross between Mike Tyson and Lenny McLean, that bulldog kind of look.”
Cast and Crew in Awe of Graham’s Dedication
The transformation didn’t go unnoticed by his co-stars. Malachi Kirby, who plays lead character Hezekiah Moscow, admitted he felt “a little bit vulnerable” knowing he had to fight Graham on screen. Erin Doherty (Mary Carr) praised the actor’s commitment, calling it a “gorgeous physical representation” of the intensity he usually brings to his performances.
Even Knight was in awe but joked that it was also frustrating: “You look at yourself and think, ‘Why am I not doing that?’”
Beyond the physical changes, Graham’s performance reportedly adds depth to the character. Knight explained: “The scariness physically is tempered by the emotion he brings. He’s such a great actor that when we finally reveal his character, it’s not a letdown.”
‘A Thousand Blows’: A Gritty Look at Victorian Underground Fighting
The show, produced by Graham’s own company, Matriarch Productions, follows Hezekiah Moscow and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall), two Jamaican immigrants who become entangled in the brutal world of bare-knuckle boxing. Along the way, they cross paths with Sugar Goodson and the infamous Forty Elephants, an all-female gang led by Mary Carr.
For Knight, A Thousand Blows is a dream project, blending historical drama with high-stakes action.
“Stephen Graham elevates every project he’s in,” the writer said. “Everyone around him knows they have to bring their best performance.”
When and Where to Watch
A Thousand Blows is set to premiere later this month on Disney+. With Graham’s jaw-dropping transformation and Knight’s gripping storytelling, the series promises to deliver a knockout punch.
