The Crown Star Reflects on a Career-Defining Year
Few actors have experienced a year quite as transformative as Erin Doherty. While widely recognized for her breakout role as Princess Anne in The Crown, 2025 has cemented her status as a powerhouse in British drama. Fresh off an Emmy win and a Golden Globe nomination for her role in Netflix's Adolescence, Doherty is simultaneously preparing for the launch of A Thousand Blows season 2 on Disney+. In a recent interview, Doherty opened up about the surreal nature of her recent accolades and the intense production processes that have defined her latest projects.
The reception to Adolescence has been nothing short of a phenomenon. Written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, the series explores the harrowing aftermath of a violent incident involving a 13-year-old boy. It has since become Netflix's second most-watched show ever, resonating deeply with audiences for its unflinching look at online radicalization and mental health.
Doherty admits the success still feels like a fever dream, noting that despite the glamour of awards season, the highlight remains the collaborative spirit of the cast and crew.
The one-shot episode in Adolescence is probably the most stressful and rewarding hour of TV I have seen this year. Doherty and Cooper were absolutely electric.
Breaking Down the One-Shot Episode of Adolescence
The centerpiece of Adolescence's critical acclaim is undoubtedly its third episode. In a bold creative choice, the episode features a continuous 50-minute shot depicting a psychiatric assessment between Doherty's character, Briony, and the young offender Jamie, played by Owen Cooper. This technical marvel required a level of theatrical discipline rarely seen in television, forcing the actors to remain entirely immersed in the tension without the safety net of cuts or edits.
Doherty describes the filming of this sequence as a battle, highlighting the psychological intensity required to sustain such a performance. The episode tackles the protagonist's indoctrination by the online "manosphere," a subject that requires careful handling. The gamble paid off, securing the cast—including Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters—universal praise. This specific episode has been cited by critics as a primary reason for the show's massive awards haul, including a historic Emmy win for Cooper as the youngest-ever winner in his category.
The Matriarch Connection: A Creative Family
A recurring theme in Doherty's current trajectory is her profound professional relationship with Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters, the founders of Matriarch Productions. The duo produced Adolescence and also star alongside Doherty in the Disney+ period drama A Thousand Blows. This cross-pollination of talent suggests a new powerhouse creative team in British television.
Doherty credits her involvement in the Netflix hit directly to her time on the set of the Disney+ boxing drama. The bond formed during the year-long production of A Thousand Blows led Graham and Walters to bring her into the fold for their passion project. Doherty describes the couple as "guardian angels" of the industry, emphasizing that their production environment fosters a sense of safety and "comfortable joy" that allows actors to take significant risks.
Seeing the same cast move from a Victorian boxing drama to a modern psychological thriller proves that the Graham-Walters-Doherty trio is the best team working in the UK right now.
A Thousand Blows Season 2: What to Expect
With Adolescence dominating the awards conversation, attention is now shifting to the January 9 release of A Thousand Blows season 2. Created by Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight, the series is set in the perilous world of 1880s illegal boxing and Victorian gang warfare. Doherty reprises her role as Mary Carr, the leader of the notorious all-female gang, the Forty Elephants.
The new season picks up one year after the events of the finale, with Mary Carr attempting to reassemble her fractured organization.
Doherty teases a redemption arc for the characters, noting that the first season left almost everyone "on their ass." Season 2 will focus on rebuilding alliances, particularly between Mary, Hezekiah (Malachi Kirby), and the estranged Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham). Doherty compares her character's role in the upcoming season to George Clooney in Ocean's 11, suggesting a slicker, more strategic approach to the gang's operations as they navigate the criminal underworld of London's East End.
The Impact of Original Storytelling
Beyond the personal accolades, the success of Adolescence represents a significant shift in the industry. In an era dominated by franchises, reboots, and existing IP, the show's massive viewership proves that original storytelling can still capture the cultural zeitgeist. Doherty views this as a confidence boost for British art, proving that audiences are hungry for authentic, character-driven narratives that address contemporary issues.
This sentiment aligns with the broader trend of audiences suffering from franchise fatigue. By focusing on "what is in your bones" rather than algorithm-driven content, creators like Thorne, Graham, and Walters are carving out a space for prestige drama that competes with big-budget blockbusters.
Future Projects and Dream Collaborations
Looking ahead, Doherty remains tight-lipped about specific future roles but hints at a new script that has her particularly excited. Her approach to selecting projects remains driven by a "level of fear" and the challenge of the unknown. Her love for psychology—the very element that drew her to the role of Briony—continues to influence her career choices, as she seeks out multifaceted characters that defy pigeonholing.
Regarding dream collaborations, Doherty cites accolades for director Chloe Zhao and expresses a strong desire to work with actors like Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley. Citing the buzz around the upcoming film Hamnet, she admits to being a fan first and an actor second, eager to see how her peers push the boundaries of cinema.
As A Thousand Blows returns to screens and the Golden Globes approach, Doherty is navigating a rare moment of dual success across two major streaming platforms. With the backing of Matriarch Productions and a proven track record in both period pieces and modern drama, she has firmly established herself as one of the most versatile talents of her generation.
A Thousand Blows season 2 begins streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on Jan. 9.
