Behind the dark foreboding walls of the derelict Stag Brewery on the banks of the Thames in Mortlake, a grim and violent mystery is unfolding.

For the site is currently hosting the filming for a Victorian drama set in the grim underworld of illegal boxing and criminal gangs, including all female Forty Elephants.

The 12-part drama called 'A Thousand Blows' stars Stephen Graham and is written by the author of the Peaky Blinders series, Stephen Knight.

Francis Lovehall, Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham and Malachi Kirby star in A Thousand Blows (Credit Disney+)

The blockbuster is being made by Disney+ for a global audience and boasts a fabulous array of acting, writing and creative talent.

The production company has built a vast set to portray the dark underbelly of Victorian London, while the rear of Maltings building, which fronts the Thames and dates back to around 1902, doubles as a workhouse.

Scenes are also being filmed on the towpath that runs along the site, which is doubling as a film set ahead of a plan to redevelop the site with over 1,000 homes and a new school.

The production is shrouded in secrecy and local residents, who have invited to tour the set, were required to sign non-disclosure agreements to prevent them from making any pictures public.

Incredible outdoor set has been built to re-create Victorian London

Passers-by can capture a glimpse of the scaffolding supporting the set as well as a number of camera towers.

One resident said: "The producers have built an incredible outdoor set to recreate Victorian London and used the back of the Maltings building as a grim-looking workhouse."

A Thousand Blows is set in 1880s Victorian London, and based on real-life characters and events.

The series shines a light on the illegal boxing rings that existed in Victorian inner cities by following two best friends from Jamaica, Hezekiah (Malachi Kirby) and Alec (Francis Lovehall), who find themselves thrust into the violent world of post-industrial London.

The series will also star Stephen's wife, Hannah Walters, as Eliza Moody, a member of The Forty Elephants female gang She is joined by Erin Doherty, who starred as Princess Anne in The Crown and will portray the gang's leader, Mary Carr.

The Forty Elephants were best known for shoplifting at quality stores in the West End of London, while they were also known to masquerade as housemaids for wealthy families before ransacking their homes.

Locals warned of filming of the drama on the towpath alongside the brewery

A Thousand Blows follows best friends Hezekiah and Alec as they move from Jamaica to London's East End in the 1880s. Hezekiah finds himself drawn into the criminal underbelly of the thriving boxing scene and meets Mary Carr.

As Hezekiah sharpens up his new skills, he is pitted against the ruthless boxer Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham) and the pair become embroiled in an intense rivalry that goes far beyond the ring.

The production company Matriarch, run by Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters, is leading the project. The actor starred in the final series of Peaky Blinders, which was written by Steven Knight.

He said: "To be able to work with Steve again and the talented team of writers we have for this project is truly wonderful, and to tell the story of these incredible characters during this period of time in London is a joy.

"Aside from having the privilege of bringing the role of Sugar Goodson to life, I am also extremely proud that Matriarch is co-producing this show whilst helping to create opportunities for people in front of and behind the camera, instilling the ethos of providing training within production that otherwise would be difficult for some to pursue as a career."

Award-winning broadcaster and historian Professor David Olusoga, who was recently honoured by BAFTA, will also act as executive producer on the series.

Steven Knight said in a statement: "I'm really thrilled to be working on this project with Stephen as well as the very talented production team and group of writers.

"I always love to delve into untold history, and this is a story that really deserves to be told. We are recreating an amazing world and telling a remarkable true story."

Tinge Krishnan (The Mosquito Coast, Industry) is lead director and executive producer, with Hustle actor Ashley Walters and Coky Giedroyc joining as series directors.

Lee Mason, Director of Scripted Content, EMEA, Disney+, said: "It's a privilege to work with this extraordinary group of talent, helmed by our fearless creator Steven Knight.

"A Thousand Blows tells a story that we rarely get to see on screen, and we are delighted to have the inimitable Stephen Graham and visionary Tinge Krishnan help bring this incredible world of richly diverse characters to life."