‘Adolescence’ and ‘A Thousand Blows’ Duo Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters Sign Disney+ First-Look Deal (EXCLUSIVE)

Disney+ has signed a first-look deal out of the U.K. with Matriarch Productions, the company behind “ Adolescence ” and “A Thousand Blows” founded by award-winning acting and producing husband-and-wife duo Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters . The two-year deal will span both original scripted and unscripted series and comes following the recent premiere of the second season of period boxing drama “A Thousand Blow” on Disney+. The Hulu Original series is produced by Matriarch, along with The Story Collective and Water & Power Productions. “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 Graham and Walters. Popular on Variety Matriarch, which only began operations in 2020, has already built up an incredible track record. It landed a BAFTA nomination in 2022 for one-shot kitchen thriller “Boiling Point,” followed this up with a “Boiling Point” spin-off series for the BBC in 2023 and produced the first season of the acclaimed “A Thousand Blows,” written by Steven Knight and launched in early 2025. Then came “Adolescence,” which took the one-shot concept from “Boiling Point” to new heights that continue to soar. The groundbreaking Netflix series - produced by Matriarch alongside Warp Films and based on a concept by Graham - became an instant cultural moment when it released in March 2025 and has dominated every awards season since. Among its haul of honors are eight Primetime Emmys, including outstanding limited or anthology series, while it recently emerging from the Golden Globes with four wins, including best limited series. Alongside its success on screen, Matriarch has continued to underline one of its key principles, pushing for greater diversity, inclusivity and opportunity - and to help support those who would otherwise struggle to get into the industry. “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 U.K.,” 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 U.K. This is a dream and we’re thrilled to continue working with them.” Added Lee Mason, VP, Scripted, Disney+ EMEA: “Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters are storytellers with real purpose - creative, fearless, and deeply committed to discovering, nurturing, and championing new talent. 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+.” Upcoming Hulu Original series produced out of the U.K. for Disney+ includes the second season of the Emmy and BAFTA award-winning “Rivals”, anti-romantic comedy “Alice and Steve”, produced by Clerkenwell Films and starring Nicola Walker and Jemaine Clement, and premium reality format series “Jamie and Sophie: Raising Chelsea (w/t)”, “The Rooney’s” and “Blind Date.”

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