A Thousand Blows (2025)

The critic says it may be Steven Knight’s best yet, a brutal but blockbuster drama that crackles with nefarious possibility. They single out Erin Doherty’s star-making turn as Mary Carr.

The critic finds it rollickingly good and very moreish despite the violence. They single out Erin Doherty’s captivating performance as the queen of the Forty Elephants.

The critic finds season 2 a brisk, pulpy, and enthusiastically engrossing ride full of twists, heists, and strong characterizations that deliver adrenaline and entertainment. Narrative inconsistencies and lack of depth are acknowledged but do not detract from the overall enjoyment.

The series is a promising Victorian-era bare-knuckle boxing drama from the Peaky Blinders creator, with strong performances and vibrant fight scenes that capture the grit of East End London. It excels in its heavyweight ensemble and detailed world-building but is weighed down by heavy exposition and some sidelined subplots.

The critic praises it as a rich and immersive world that stands on its own, highlighting the seamless intersection of stories and Erin Doherty's knockout performance as Mary Carr. They note it uses boxing to comment on class, gender, race, with some pacing issues but overall gripping.

Positive take on Knight's historical drama, excellent lead performances especially Kirby and Graham, gripping plot and historical setting; notes it can feel unwieldy with many storylines but packs a punch.

Entertaining if conventional; blends genres effectively but becomes conventional; excellent performances, well-produced, inspires further research.

The critic calls it a fantastically entertaining stew that is chaotic and gruesome. They single out Erin Doherty’s complete shape-shift as Mary Carr as the standout reason to watch.

The critic calls it a hugely fun journey into Victorian bare-knuckle fighting and a ripping yarn full of audacious dialogue. They single out the mesmerising performance of Erin Doherty as gang leader Mary Carr.

The critic calls the series masterful and an intricate, fast-paced period drama about ambition, desire, and violence in 1880s London, centered on Jamaican immigrants, the Forty Elephants gang, and a ruthless East End boxer. It praises the show for delving into the era’s texture while exploring racism, sexism, greed, and revenge through compelling outsiders.

The critic praises the gritty, modern-feeling Victorian drama for its visceral boxing, strong character work (especially Erin Doherty), diverse cast, and thoughtful exploration of class, race, and survival themes in a changing London.

The critic calls season 2 darker and grittier yet even better, with compelling performances (especially Graham and Doherty) and a richer, more grounded narrative that builds on season 1's strengths. It is described as unmissable with strong consequences and levity in the right places.

The piece hails the series as a thrilling, well-crafted follow-up in the vein of Peaky Blinders, praising its fresh take on similar material, strong ensemble, and exploration of class, race, and survival in 1880s London.

The critic finds the Victorian boxing drama a rollicking success that is much more than a Peaky Blinders retread, praising its blend of historical stories, strong performances (especially Erin Doherty), lavish production, and social themes around class, race, and survival.

The review calls the series a competent but unfocused period piece that fails to pack the same punch as Peaky Blinders, criticizing its lack of narrative focus on the Forty Elephants and incomplete storytelling while noting strong lead performances and diversity.