Disney+ inks first-look deal with Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters’ Matriarch Productions

Stephen Graham, left, and Hannah Walters

US-based streamer Disney+ has signed a two-year first-look deal with Matriarch Productions, founded by the actors and producers Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters (Adolescence, A Thousand Blows).

Matriarch, along with The Story Collective, and Water & Power Productions, are behind the Hulu Original series A Thousand Blows, with a season now available to stream on Disney+.

The company was founded by Graham and Walters in 2020 and debuted with one-shot feature film Boiling Point which spawned a six-part drama spin-off for the BBC. It produced A Thousand Blows for Disney+ and Hulu in 2025 and also launched the critically acclaimed Adolescence on Netflix.

Building on the Disney+ local original production slate in the UK, the two-year deal will span original scripted and unscripted series, bringing British stories to audiences around the world.

Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters, founders of Matriarch Productions, said: “We are beyond thrilled to be working with Disney+ and through this creative partnership will strive to produce inspiring, entertaining and thought-provoking storytelling.”

Angela Jain, head of content Disney+ EMEA, commented: “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 UK. Distinctive, local stories that entertain and resonate with audiences are what Disney+ are committed to championing, making Matriarch the perfect partners as we look to evolve our production slate in the UK. 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 real purpose – creative, fearless, and deeply committed to discovering, nurturing, and championing new talent. I’m genuinely excited to keep working with them, and to support the kind of ambitious, distinctive work they want to put into the world with Disney+.”