Adolescent producer Matriarch signs Disney+ First-Look deal
Disney+ has signed a first-look deal from Britain with Matriarch Productions, the company behind “Adolescence” and “A Thousand Blows,” founded by award-winning acting and production duo Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters.
The two-year deal includes both original and unscripted series and follows the recent premiere of the second season of the historical 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 extremely excited to be working with Disney+ and will strive to produce inspiring, entertaining and thought-provoking stories through this creative partnership,” said Graham and Walters.
Matriarch, which only launched in 2020, has already built an incredible track record. It earned a BAFTA nomination in 2022 for the one-off kitchen thriller ‘Boiling Point’, followed by a spin-off series ‘Boiling Point’ for the BBC in 2023 and produced the first season of the critically acclaimed ‘A Thousand Blows’, written by Steven Knight and launched in early 2025.
Then came “Adolescence,” which took the one-shot concept of “Boiling Point” to new heights that are still rising. The groundbreaking Netflix series – produced by Matriarch alongside Warp Films and based on a concept by Graham – became an instant cultural moment upon its release in March 2025 and has dominated every awards season since. Awards include eight Primetime Emmys, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, while the series recently emerged from the Golden Globes with four wins, including Outstanding Limited Series.
Beyond its on-screen success, Matriarch has continued to underline one of its key principles, pushing for greater diversity, inclusivity and opportunity – and helping to support those who might otherwise struggle to get into the industry.
“Stephen and Hannah have proven they know how to tell bold, impactful stories and our vision aligns with them by providing a platform for underrepresented voices in Britain,” said Angela Jain, head of content, Disney+ EMEA. “Distinctive, local stories that entertain and resonate with audiences is what Disney+ is all about, making Matriarch the perfect partners as we look to develop our production in Britain. This is a dream and we’re thrilled to continue working with them.”
Lee Mason, VP, Scripted, Disney+ EMEA added: “Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters are storytellers with a real purpose: creative, fearless and deeply committed to discovering, nurturing and championing new talent. I’m truly excited to continue working with them and supporting the kind of ambitious, distinctive work they want to bring to the world with Disney+.”
Produced in the UK for Disney+, the upcoming Hulu Original series includes 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 “Jamie and Sophie: Raising Chelsea (w/t),” “The Rooney’s” and “Blind Date.”
