Storyline for A Thousand Blows

Follows Hezekiah and Alec, two best friends from Jamaica who find themselves thrust into the vibrant and violent melting pot of post-industrial revolution London’s East End.

Drawn into the criminal underbelly of the thriving boxing scene, Hezekiah meets Mary Carr, leader of The Forty Elephants the notorious all-female London gang as they battle for survival on the streets.

As Hezekiah sharpens his new skills, he comes up against Sugar Goodson, a seasoned and dangerous boxer, and the two are soon locked into an intense rivalry that spills out way beyond the ring.

Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall) are literally just off the boat from Jamaica as they watch what looks like a woman giving birth in the street.

But as the two of them look on, other women are going through the crowd picking pockets. When someone mentions the police, everyone runs, and the “pregnant” woman sheds her fake belly and water pouch.

Hezekiah has come to London to work for the Zoological Society as a lion tamer, and has brought Alec with him, mainly because conditions in Jamaica have gotten intolerable.

They’re told by a constable that they’ll have better luck finding lodging in East London, which is the poorest, roughest part of the city.

n the meantime, the woman who pretended to be pregnant, Mary Carr (Erin Doherty), plans the next heist with her all-female street gang, known as the Forty Elephants.

Mary’s goal is to aim a lot higher and get a bigger score than the small-time stuff they’ve been doing to that point.

She suspects that Mr. Lao (Jason Tobin), a Chinese immigrant who owns the boarding house where she and her gang stay, might want into their scheme.

Episodes of A Thousand Blows

S1.E1 ∙ Episode #1.1
Hezekiah and Alec, best friends from Jamaica, arrive in London to make their fortunes. They meet Mary Carr, leader of the Forty Elephants, who is planning a major heist.

A Thousand Blows S1.E2 ∙ Episode #1.2
Hezekiah becomes Sugar’s target as Mary accelerates her heist plans with him and Lao. The Forty Elephants raid Harrods while Alec meets a new acquaintance.

S1.E3 ∙ Episode #1.3
A bombing threatens Mary’s plans as she takes Hezekiah out to meet a key West End boxing figure. Hezekiah seizes this opportunity and asks Alec to help train him.

A Thousand Blows S1.E4 ∙ Episode #1.4
Hezekiah debuts at West London Boxing Club, but Sugar’s appearance after his fight disrupts plans. Mary Carr’s heist night arrives with preparations complete, while Alec and Treacle strike a deal.