A Thousand Blows

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.

Director Multiple Directors

Cast Malachi Kirby, Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty

Production Company The Story Collective

Year 2025

Filming location(s) Multiple UK Locations

TV Extras Casting

Uni-versal Extras was a casting agency for A Thousand Blows, which is a new series from the creators of Peaky Blinders now airing on Disney+.

UVE supplied a wide range of extras and supporting artistes across the UK. Locations for filming included the old Mortlake Brewery film studios in Richmond, Syon House in Brentford, Hounslow, Langleybury and Kings Langley in Hertfordshire, Middlesex Music Hall and Osterley in Middlesex, Halton in Buckinghamshire and Central London.

In addition to background roles, we also cast some specialist parts including body doubles for Stephen Graham and Daniel Mays, a picture double for Ned Dennehy, a boxing double and stand-ins.

When watching A Thousand Blows, look out for…

Travellers, Doctors, Butlers, Special Officers, Factory Women, Mothers, Shipping Clerks, RAF Crowd, Bartenders, Outraged Boxer, Boxing Crowd – White Tie, Pianists, VIP Boxing Crowd, Maids, Footmen, Hotel Doormen, Working Class Crowd, Seamstresses, Butchers, Blacksmiths, Barbers, Americans, Police, Leighton House Guests, Luxury Hotel Doormen, Leighton House Footmen, Secretaries, Tailors, A Tailor’s Apprentice, Boxing Guests, Female Ball Guests, Medics, Military Guests, Bank Clerks, Waltzing Dancers, Dentists, Violin/Fiddle Players, Accordion Players, Paper Bin Lady, Cabbage Lady, Green Dolphin Residents, Orthodox Jewish Men, Merchant Sailors, Sex Workers, Market Traders, Costermongers, Residents, Lascar Sailors, Traders, Boat Builders, Basket Weavers, Tin Whistlers, Low Lifes, Rough Sleepers, Harrods Staff, Harrods Customers, Police, Aristocrats, Royal Navy Sailors, Housekeepers, Brothelkeepers, Housemaids, Rag Merchants, Hardware Shopkeepers, Temperance Society Members, Kosher Grocers and more!

Related Testimonials

I was very lucky to have been part of the terrific Steven Knight and Stephen Grahams production. A truly epic and atmospheric re-creation of 19th century East End London, and its gritty characters. Many very enjoyable days getting down and dirty!

William

A Thousand Blows

What a great experience I had on this drama. I took part in many scenes filming in a mixture of locations. Being made up as a Victorian gentleman along with a host of friendly like-minded extras was a real fun experience. The production company spared nothing to create such a realistic Victorian feel and look. A really great team have made a masterful drama – I can’t wait to see it on TV and maybe even see myself.

Paul

A Thousand Blows

A hard working, intense production for Disney+ that started Feb/March time going right through to December; well crafted, scripted [and] very well directed. The only choppy bits I found was when dates [were] canceled, rescheduled or moved around at short notice. The core crowd moulded into a working unit that worked exceptionally well together. On wrap, the Directors, Crowd ADs, 2nd ADs and all those running the show gathered all the Supporting Artistes and proceeded to thank us all profusely for the professional way we did our work [and] conducted ourselves on set.