Erin Doherty trades royalties for robbery as The Crown star portrays gang leader in A Thousand Blows

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

The actress, who is best known for playing Princess Anne in ‘The Crown,’ will star in the 12-episode Disney drama ‘A Thousand Blows’ as Mary Carr, who led the ‘Forty Elephants’ that conquered the West End terrorized in the 1880s and early 1900s.

Ms Doherty is making her debut in the role alongside Peaky Blinders actor Stephen Graham, 49, who portrays boxer Sugar Goodson.

Erin Doherty stars in her toughest role yet – as the leader of a notorious gang of female thieves in Victorian London

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 patterned skirt – hugs Graham, whose face is covered with cuts and bruises.

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

Carr was a notorious thief by the age of 14 when she already had multiple convictions. She later formed the Forty Elephants and became their first queen due to her experience selling stolen property and performing robberies.

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

It wasn’t until the 1950s, after Carr’s death, that the gang was caught. But she left her mark as one of the most ruthless female crime groups of all time.

Erin Doherty made her mark as Princess Anne on The Crown and will now star as Mary Carr in the 12-episode Disney drama A Thousand Blows