In his latest series, “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight puts a spotlight on a very different gang from the Irish crime family of that series. An intricate, fast-paced period drama homing in on a slew of characters who don’t usually get the spotlight, Hulu’s “A Thousand Blows” is a story of ambition, desire and violence. The beautifully wielded but brutal narrative follows a band of female criminals, a pair of best friends newly emigrated from Jamaica and a murderous gangster desperately clinging to everything he’s forged.
Based on real-life figures, “A Thousand Blows” opens in London in 1880, on the day Hezekiah Moscow (an outstanding Malachi Kirby) and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall) arrive from Morant Bay. With little money and no resources, Hezekiah and Alec are pushed toward the gritty East End, ruled by the rageful Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham). As the East End Emperor, Sugar terrorizes the community and looms over the pub and boxing ring he owns with his brother Treacle (James Nelson-Joyce).
Completely out of their element and struggling for lodging due to bigotry, Hezekiah and Alec find respite at the Green Dolphin boardinghouse, run by Mr. Lao (Jason Tobin), who knows all too well what it means to be ostracized by racist Londoners. The Green Dolphin also is the freshly acquired headquarters of Mary Carr (an incredible Erin Doherty), the Queen of the Forty Elephants, a group of women criminals who run through London pickpocketing, robbing Harrods in broad daylight and carrying out every other unlawful act Mary can think of.
Mary immediately takes an interest in Hezekiah. She tells herself that he’s just a means to an end, the perfect addition to her forthcoming grand scheme. However, something else begins brewing between the pair. Hezekiah’s arrival rattles Sugar too, especially after they meet during a heated boxing match. Meanwhile, as Mary puts her plan in motion, she begins to feel friction from the discontented Elephants and more-powerful players in the streets of London.
“A Thousand Blows” is masterful, delving into the fabric and texture of the late 1800s. In just six hourlong episodes, Knight’s tale contends with racism, sexism, greed and revenge, which sizzle and pulse throughout this underworld. As Alec and Hezekiah try to make names for themselves in the ring, the men are constantly confronted with the rot of racism. It’s ceaseless and exhausting, and they either contain or unleash their fury while trying to hold on to their humanity in a place that has labeled them as savage.
Though Mary can stand in her whiteness, her gender is constantly thrown in her face, so she hardens herself even against those who are well-intended. Because she is overly focused on her own aims, she fails to realize that though her followers may appear to fall in line, they will always be guided by personal motives.
Using the throughline of boxing as it transforms from bare fist fighting into the sport we know today, Knight spins a thrilling story about a group of outsiders who demand much more than society is willing to give them. Moreover, Mary and Hezekiah learn some powerful lessons. Ambition is a great motivator, but being blinded by desire might also lead to self-implosion.
The six episodes of “A Thousand Blows” premiere on Feb. 21 on Hulu.
