Stephen Graham says he’s become ‘obsessed’ with latest role’s intense fitness regime
Stephen Graham has opened up about his physical transformation for his role in the forthcoming boxing drama series A Thousand Blows.
The drama, created by Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight, is based on the illegal boxing underbelly of Victorian London, set in the 1880s. It stars Small Axe’s Malachi Kirby as a boxer who comes up against Graham’s Sugar Goodson, a dangerous bare-knuckle fighter.
In preparation for the role, the 51-year-old This is England star worked with a professional bodybuilder to build his physique, which has been praised by fans.
Graham’s transformation took him roughly six months, during which he was training for five days a week and eating a diet of chicken, rice and broccoli.
Speaking to The Guardian, Graham revealed he’s an “obsessive person” and continued the gruelling training long after filming for the series wrapped. “It’s now part of my life,” he said.
Of the positive fan reaction to his new look, the Peaky Blinders actor admitted: “I don’t know what to say…If that’s what it takes to get bums on seats, I’ll go with it.”
On social media, fans have praised the actor for his commitment to the role, with one person comparing Graham’s new look to Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Bane in the Batman franchise.
One person commended Graham on the “tremendous work” he put in at the gym for the part. “Looking fit sir!” they said.
In 2022, Graham began the intense preparations in the gym, sharing videos of himself doing cardio work, weightlifting, and rope pulling. One video shared by his personal trainer shows Graham doing pull-ups with a thick, heavy chain attached to him.
Bodybuilder Rob Thurston wrote on Instagram last year: “Putting in the graft! @stephengraham has made an incredible physical transformation, adding ton of muscle mass and stripping body fat in preparation for his new role in a new series from the creator of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight.”
In a 2022 interview with The Independent, writer Chris Harvey remarked that Graham – who was in the middle of physical training – was “showing off his newly bulging biceps”.
Graham’s wife, actor Hannah Walters, chimed into the interview and joked: “He’s like Popeye. Just give him a can and he pops it and crushes it.”
A Thousand Blows will be released on Disney+ and Hulu on 21 February.
