A Thousand Blows: Stephen Graham returns in season two of hit Disney Plus - how did season one end?

The popular show, starring Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty and Malachi Kirby, first hit screens in February 2025 to acclaim from both viewers and critics.

The show follows a group of characters aiming to survive life in the London’s gritty East End in the 1880s.

Inspired by the real-life story of the all-female crime syndicate the Forty Elephants, A Thousand Blows shows gang leader Mary Carr (Erin Doherty) as she clashes with the world of illegal bare-knuckle boxing, organised by its “emperor” Henry "Sugar" Goodson (Stephen Graham). At the same time, Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby), a young Jamaican immigrant lands in the city and find himself lured into the East End’s underground crime network.

A Thousand Blows has now returned for a second season on Disney+ following the success of the first installment. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of season two.

How did A Thousand Blows season one end?

The season one finale saw Hezekiah, who has risen to infamy in the underground bare-knuckle boxing world, take on an American boxing opponent who he ultimately kills in the ring. The moment causes a riot and Mary helped Hezekiah escape the venue, urging him to leave London with her amid the chaos of the fight.

However, before they can make their escape, Sugar reveals to Hezekiah that Mary knows the truth about who killed his friend Alec earlier in the season. This revelation shatters his trust in Mary - despite her insisting that she lied to survive, Hezekiah refuses to leave London with her, with their relationship in tatters.

Mary is down and out, with most of her Fort Elephant allies abandoning her. Only Alice remains by her side and her plan to flee to New York is scuppered, leaving her in London.

Elsewhere, an increasing violent and unstable Sugar has beaten his brother Treacle after the two come to blows over his behaviour. Treacle survived the attack, but the relationship is fraught, with Treacle cutting him out of his life.

What is A Thousand Blows season two about?

The Disney+ official synopsis for season two reads: “One year later. Hezekiah Moscow (Kirby) is a shadow of the man he once was whilst Sugar Goodson (Graham) is estranged from his family and drinking himself to death. Just as Wapping is about to sigh its last breath, Mary Carr (Doherty) bursts back into town with her loyal second, Alice Diamond (Darci Shaw).

“In Mary's absence, Eliza Moody (Hannah Walters) failed reign as Queen has seen her exiled whilst Indigo Jeremy (Robert Glenister) has taken back control of the Elephants. Mary is back to reassemble the Forty Elephants and reclaim her crown. She sobers Sugar up, she has a use for him yet, and forms a reluctant alliance with Hezekiah to take down Indigo Jeremy once and for all. As always, Mary has a plan. And this time it's riskier than ever.”

All six episode of A Thousand Blows season two is available to watch right now on Disney+.