The Notorious Forty Elephants: A Glimpse Into the Past
*A Thousand Blows*, the new series on Disney+, offers viewers a captivating peek into the shadowy world of the Forty Elephants, a notorious all-female gang that operated in 1880s London. But the show doesn’t just dwell on their infamous activities. Instead, it offers a thoughtful portrayal, emphasizing the tough choices faced by working-class women in a city notorious for its strict social hierarchy.
Executive producer and star Hannah Walters made it clear that the series does not aim to glorify the actions of these women. “They were just doing what they needed to survive,” Walters explained, highlighting the limited opportunities available to them. The alternative was often grim: poverty or the streets. Theft became a lifeline, a way to navigate the harsh realities of their environment and avoid falling into even graver situations.
A Family Like No Other
Portraying the gang’s intricate operations, the show sheds light on their cunning tactics. The gang, led by the shrewd Mary Carr, depicted by Erin Doherty, expertly used their social invisibility to their advantage, concealing stolen goods in hidden compartments sewn into their clothing or using clever disguises like fake arms.
Darci Shaw, playing Alice Diamond—a prominent figure who later took over leadership of the Forty Elephants—pointed out the deep bond within the group, resembling a familial structure more than a criminal enterprise. “They were a family, supporting one another while always staying one step ahead of the law,” Shaw remarked, illustrating the unity and mutual support that allowed them to succeed in a male-dominated world.
The series creator Steven Knight, known for a fair bit of romanticism, admitted that the portrayal might seem whimsical at times, drawing a parallel to the legendary Robin Hood. Their crimes, according to Knight, often targeted the wealthy, which could lead audiences to view their actions as a form of social restitution.
The character-driven narrative adds another layer of depth, with characters like Hezekiah Moscow, a Jamaican immigrant boxer entwined with the gang, and Sugar Goodson, a rival boxing boss played by Stephen Graham. Their stories interweave with the gang’s, bringing in historical elements alongside fictional storytelling.
*A Thousand Blows* walks a delicate line, intertwining historical facts with creative fiction. In doing so, it challenges viewers to rethink the stories of women who dared to break through societal constraints, driven by necessity and the desire for dignity, while navigating the turbulent waters of class and survival in Victorian London.
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