A Thousand Blows will see Knight, the writer who breathed new punk energy into the period piece with series like Peaky Blinders and Taboo, portray the perils of illegal boxing in the 1880s in Victorian London.

Across 12 parts, the thrilling series will follow Hezekiah and Alec, two best friends from Jamaica who are thrust into the melting pot of London’s East End post-industrial revolution.

It’s a vibrant and violent place, especially the criminal underbelly of the boxing scene they’re lured into. And it’s there that Hezekiah meets Mary Carr, leader of the notorious female gang The Forty Elephants, as they fight to survive on the streets.

As Hezekiah trains up he soon gets caught in an intense rivalry with veteran boxer Sugar Goodson, played by Graham, that spills out way beyond the ring.

Steven Knight is the lead writer for the series, with episodes also written by Ameir Brown, Insook Chappell, Harlan Davies and Yasmin Joseph.

Knight said: “I’m really thrilled to be working on this project with Stephen as well as the very talented production team and group of writers. I always love to delve into untold history, and this is a story that really deserves to be told. We are recreating an amazing world and telling a remarkable true story.”

Graham will also serve as executive producer alongside Hannah Walters for Matriarch Productions, Damian Keogh and Kate Lewis for The Story Collective, and Tom Miller and Sam Myer for Water & Power Productions.

Award-winning broadcaster and historian Professor David Olusoga will also act as executive producer, while Tinge Krishnan (Industry) will serve as both lead director and executive producer.

Graham commented: “To be able to work with Steve again and the talented team of writers we have for this project is truly wonderful, and to tell the story of these incredible characters during this period of time in London is a joy.

“Aside from having the privilege of bringing the role of Sugar Goodson to life, I am also extremely proud that Matriarch is co-producing this show whilst helping to create opportunities for people in front of and behind the camera, instilling the ethos of providing training within production that otherwise would be difficult for some to pursue as a career. ‘Don't count the days... Make the days count.’ - Muhammad Ali.”