Erin Doherty trades royalty for theft as The Crown star plays gang leader in A Thousand Blows

Known for playing strong women, Erin Doherty is filming her toughest role to date – as the leader of a notorious gang of female thieves in Victorian London.

The actress, who made her name as Princess Anne in The Crown, will star as Mary Carr, who led the Forty Elephants – who terrorized the West End in the 1880s and early 1900s – in the 12-part Disney drama A Thousand Blows .

Ms Doherty is seen in the role for the first time alongside Peaky Blinders actor Stephen Graham, 49, who plays boxer Sugar Goodson.

Peaky Blinders actor Stephen Graham, 49, plays boxer Sugar Goodson

In scenes filmed in London last week, Ms Doherty, 30 – dressed in a red jacket and floor-length skirt – embraces Graham, whose face is covered in cuts and bruises.

He is also seen tenderly touching her face, suggesting their characters have a close relationship.

Carr was a notorious thief at the age of 14, by which time she already had several convictions. She later founded the Forty Elephants and became their first queen due to her expertise in selling stolen property and committing robberies.

Police reported the theft of thousands of kilograms of clothing and jewelry in a single raid.

It wasn’t until the 1950s, after Carr’s death, that the gang was caught. But it has left its mark as one of the most brutal female criminal groups of all time.

Erin Doherty made her name as Princess Anne in The Crown and now stars as Mary Carr in the 12-part Disney drama A Thousand Blows