Disney+ has secured a significant two-year first-look deal with Matriarch Productions, the acclaimed U.K.-based company co-founded by award-winning actor-producers Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters. This strategic partnership, announced following the recent premiere of the second season of the period boxing drama “A Thousand Blows” on Disney+, will encompass both original scripted and unscripted series out of the United Kingdom.

Matriarch Productions, despite only commencing operations in 2020, has rapidly established an impressive portfolio and garnered critical acclaim. The company received a BAFTA nomination in 2022 for its single-shot kitchen thriller “Boiling Point,” which later spawned a successful spin-off series for the BBC in 2023. Matriarch also produced the first season of the acclaimed “A Thousand Blows,” written by Steven Knight and launched in early 2025, with its second season now airing as a Hulu Original for Disney+. A standout success is “Adolescence,” a groundbreaking Netflix series that expanded on the one-shot concept of “Boiling Point.” Released in March 2025, “Adolescence” became an instant cultural phenomenon, dominating awards seasons with an impressive haul of honors including eight Primetime Emmys, outstanding limited or anthology series, and four Golden Globe wins, notably for best limited series.

Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are beyond thrilled to be working with Disney+ and through this creative partnership will strive to produce inspiring, entertaining and thought-provoking storytelling.” The deal not only highlights Matriarch’s storytelling prowess but also Disney+’s commitment to local, distinctive content and supporting underrepresented voices. Angela Jain, head of content for Disney+ EMEA, emphasized this alignment, noting, “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.” Lee Mason, VP, Scripted, Disney+ EMEA, further praised Graham and Walters as “storytellers with real purpose — creative, fearless, and deeply committed to discovering, nurturing, and championing new talent.”

Beyond this new partnership, Disney+ continues to expand its U.K. slate of Hulu Original series. Upcoming productions include the second season of the Emmy and BAFTA award-winning “Rivals,” the anti-romantic comedy “Alice and Steve” produced by Clerkenwell Films and starring Nicola Walker and Jemaine Clement, and premium reality format series such as “Jamie and Sophie: Raising Chelsea (w/t),” “The Rooney’s,” and “Blind Date.”