Stephen Graham’s incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020

Stephen Graham's incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020

As I gaze upon Stephen Graham’s transformation, I am left in awe, much like a fish out of water staring at a bodybuilder chained to weights! The man has truly bulked up his physique and it’s not just muscle mass he’s added, but also an impressive amount of grit and determination.


Stephen Graham is currently recognized as one of the most admired television actors in Britain, having garnered numerous accolades for his impactful performances in shows such as This Is England and Line of Duty.

However, the actor, who is 51 years old, astonished fans on Wednesday with his remarkable makeover, having significantly changed his appearance to fit the demanding physical requirements of his intense new character in Stephen Knight’s forthcoming Disney+ series titled A Thousand Blows.

A first look image from the series showed the TV hardman’s bulked-up and tattooed physique as seasoned fighter Sugar Goodson in the drama, which has been penned by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight.

It won’t be a mystery to frequent gym-goers at Premier Gym in Leicester, as Stephen has been diligently training with a bodybuilder for several months to build muscle for his new role.

Posts on social media, along with updates from the actor himself, provide a peek into the intense training regimen the star underwent to sculpt his body for the latest TV show.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always emphasized the importance of dedication and hard work when it comes to achieving physical fitness. In fact, I once humorously stated that I was “putting in the effort” to get in shape for an upcoming role. Jokingly, I suggested that one should consult my wife for more accurate insights into my routine, using a playful phrase, “You’d best ask my missus, like!”

Without a doubt, Stephen has immersed himself in strenuous preparation for roles before, such as when he teamed up with a personal trainer back in 2020 to portray Detective Mulligan in Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

Let’s reflect on the remarkable journey taken by Stephen, who is gearing up to secure another significant acting role.

Ditching his ‘dad bod’ 

Stephen Graham's incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020

Stephen Graham's incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020

Last year, I teamed up with HB Training to sculpt my physique for my part in the highly anticipated Venom sequel, Let There Be Carnage.

As an over-the-moon fan, I can’t contain my excitement as I share this amazing news! My beloved star took to Facebook recently, showcasing his incredible progress in his transformation journey. He’s been managing to fit in those intense workouts, even with his jam-packed schedule – now that’s dedication!

Stephen went to the gym with the intention of getting rid of what he calls his “dad bod” so he could be more fit for his upcoming part. He wanted to become leaner without compromising a healthy and convenient lifestyle.

They wrote that as part of his pre-role preparations they had to create a ‘precise’ training and nutrition plan, adding: ‘He only had access to the food they can provide on the go, this is what we worked around.’ 

As Stephen continues to undergo his transformation, HB Training notes that he’s gradually growing stronger and leaner with every passing week. There’s still work to be done. This is merely the start; he’ll be in even better shape in the coming months.

Impressive before and after snaps showed how Stephen had slimmed down and embraced a leaner physique, which maintained when he starred opposite Colin Farrell in BBC drama The North Water.

His boxer transformation begins  

Stephen Graham's incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020
Stephen Graham's incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020
Stephen Graham's incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020

Prior to the initial reveal of Stephen’s new role, the star embarked on rigorous preparations by teaming up with Premier Gym months in advance.

He shared a video from his first day in the gym back in September 2022, with the caption: ‘Training starts…’

In the video, Stephen kicked off his workout routine by doing cardio exercises on a rowing machine, followed by strength training using weightlifting machines, specifically focusing on tricep rope pulls.

The video additionally displayed the star performing push-ups while weights were attached to his legs, followed by a series of exercises using weight machines for arm extensions and bicep curls.

Working with a bodybuilding champion 

Stephen Graham's incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020
Stephen Graham's incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020

As a committed devotee, I teamed up with renowned bodybuilder Rob Thurston to enhance my physical stature. I pushed myself through rigorous workouts that involved push-ups while being weighted down, as part of an effort to fortify and enlarge my muscles.

In February 2023, Rob personally posted a video demonstrating intense workout strategies, explaining how he had built up muscle and reduced his body fat for his role as a boxer.

He captioned the post: ‘Putting in the graft! @stephengraham has made an incredible physical transformation, adding ton of muscle mass and stripping body fat in preparation for his new role in a new series from the creator of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight.’

In reference to his new role during the last episode of Soccer AM, he mentioned a fascinating series titled “A Thousand Blows,” penned by Steve Knight.

‘It’s about two young Jamaicans that came over during the 1800s, [among them] Hezekiah Moscow.

‘He became an amazing fighter, and it’s about his story and his life, how he established himself in East London.’

He stated: “I portray Sugar Goodson, my sibling is named Treacle Goodson, we go by the Goodson brothers. We are known for our raw-knuckle fighting, hence I’ve been working on my physique and picking up combat skills.”

‘I’ve put the graft in, you’d best ask my missus, like!’

Debuting his new look

Stephen Graham's incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020
Stephen Graham's incredible body of work! Actor, 51, has bulked up to play a boxer by working out with weights chained to him after transforming his dad bod for Marvel film in 2020

On Wednesday, Stephen unveiled his muscular figure for the very first time in a fresh photo from A Thousand Blows.

The picture not only displayed Stephen’s chiseled upper body, but it also provided a sneak peek of a fresh tattoo on his chest, which was part of his portrayal of the character.

Fitness enthusiast Rob, too, posted a fresh photo on Instagram, captioned: “For those who’ve witnessed Stephen’s relentless dedication working out with me every week for the past year… Stay tuned!”

As a devoted admirer of Steven Knight’s work on Peaky Blinders, I’m eagerly anticipating his latest creation, A Thousand Blows. Unlike the fictional crime family portrayed in Peaky Blinders, this series is inspired by a real-life crime syndicate – the Forty Elephants, an all-female gang based in London during the 19th and 20th centuries. These women specialized in shoplifting.

As a devoted follower, I shall recount the tale of two hardy Jamaican immigrants navigating the treacherous waters of Victorian London’s volatile East End – a realm where fortunes fluctuate like the tides and danger lurks around every corner. Our protagonists will forge their path amidst this chaos, unwittingly crossing swords with the notorious bare-knuckle fighter Goodson, skillfully portrayed by Graham, who will prove to be no ordinary adversary.

During the pandemic, it appears that Graham had a preliminary concept for the series. Later, he consulted his trusted colleague Knight, who collaborated with him on Peaky Blinders, to further develop and refine this idea.

In conversation with Radio Times, I was approached by Stephen to pen an hour-long piece about a certain topic. I obliged, saying, “Very well then.”

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2024-08-22 14:55

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