Excitement is building as Stephen Graham’s new programme arrives on Disney + today. The Kirkby actor has transformed for his role as bare knuckle boxer Sugar Goodson.
The six part series sees the 51-year-old Scouser at his powerhouse best as his character’s stranglehold on the underground boxing scene is threatened by the arrival of Hezekiah Moscow. Fans have been wowed by Stephen’s impressive physique in the brutal fight scenes in the programme.
The actor has provided an insight into his gruelling training regime as he said the process took six months of training up to six times a week. He told the Off Menu podcast how he also had to alter his diet to achieve the ripped new look.
He said: “It’s lots of protein, lots of chicken, fish, vegetables, and small amounts of carbs, and you just have to keep eating these on a regular basis. Lots and lots and lots of protein.”
Stephen admitted is wasn’t easy, adding: “But when it comes to 10pm and you’ve got to eat another 120mg of natural yoghurt, with two scoops of whey, and one Malteser as your treat”
However, Stephen admitted he is an “obsessive” person and said he has changed after the brutal routine as he told The Guardian: “It’s now part of my life.”
He elaborated on how it has altered his approach in an interview with Empire Magazine as he admitted he struggled to recognise himself. The actor said: “It changed the way I sat, the way I conducted myself. The first day of filming, the director went, ‘Do you want to look at the playback?’ And I remember going, ‘Is that me?!’ I couldn’t believe it.”
The project has won rave reviews as it has a 92% fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating. The project is close to Stephen’s heart as he co-produced it with his wife Hannah Walters as part of their Matriarch Production company.
Stephen has always championed local talent and the series shows off the best of our region with Scouse stars, James Nelson-Joyce and Darci Shaw, featuring in significant roles.
James spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview ahead of the launch and revealed how Stephen got in touch and said he would be perfect for the role as Treacle Goodson. The 35-year-old underwent a long audition process and beat out two big names when he took a risk in the chemistry read with Stephen.
The test scene saw the two perform an emotional heart to heart and James revealed he looked close to home for inspiration. He told the ECHO: “When building these characters, who are two brothers in the boxing world, who love each other dearly and would do anything for each other, I thought of The Smith brothers.”
The actor took the bold move to mix up the dynamics of the chemistry read, which triggered a strong response from Stephen. He explained: “We’d done two takes and I pulled the director to one side and said, ‘How about I don’t say a word and we let the tension build?’ Me and Stephen have got that chemistry for free and we’ve known each other for donkey’s years.
“I just didn’t reply to Stephen when he was asking questions and Stephen just switched. It was something in the room. I took a chance and I took a risk and it was either I’m going to get the role off the back of this or I’m not.”
James’ risky move more than paid off as he soon bagged the part. The actor is grateful for the support he has been shown by Stephen throughout his career as he heaped praise on his mentor.
He said: “Stephen and Hannah are so rare in this industry. It is quite a selfish industry, but they are so generous and so loving. I’m just very fortunate that Stephen takes time out of his day to care. I don’t have the words to say for him.” A Thousand Blows is available to watch on Disney+ now