Disney+ has confirmed that it has signed a 2 year first-look deal with Stephen Graham’s production company.
The contract with Matriarch Productions comes following the return of A Thousand Blows to the streaming platform. The drama, starring Graham, is inspired by true life stories from the East End of London in the 1880s. It’s produced by Matriarch, The Story Collective and Water & Power Productions.
Since the first series, Matriarch, which was co-founded with Hannah Walters, has co-produced Netflix hit, Adolescence.
“We are beyond thrilled to be working with Disney+ and through this creative partnership will strive to produce inspiring, entertaining and thought-provoking storytelling,” said Walters and Graham.
The 2-year deal spans original scripted and unscripted series.
“Stephen and Hannah have proven they know how to tell bold, impactful stories and our vision also aligns with them around providing a platform for underrepresented voices in the UK,” said Angela Jain, Head of Content, Disney+ EMEA.
“Distinctive, local stories that entertain and resonate with audiences are what Disney+ are committed to championing, making Matriarch the perfect partners as we look to evolve our production slate in the UK. This is a dream, and we’re thrilled to continue working with them.”
Matriarch was set up in 2020, with the aim of providing a place for underrepresented voices and stories across the UK. Graham said, at the time, that it would champion diversity and inclusivity across the entertainment industry.
READ MORE – Warp Films announces Stephen Graham/Matriarch Productions partnership
Its first production was the feature film, Boiling Point, which earned 4 BAFTA nominations and was later adapted into a 6-part series for the BBC. In 2025 it co-produced A Thousand Blows for Disney+ and Hulu and in the same year completed 4-part Netflix hit, Adolescence with Warp – it’s currently the second most-watched English language series on the platform.
“Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters are storytellers with real purpose — creative, fearless, and deeply committed to discovering, nurturing, and championing new talent,” said Lee Mason, VP, Scripted, Disney+ EMEA.
I’m genuinely excited to keep working with them, and to support the kind of ambitious, distinctive work they want to put into the world with Disney+.”
