Peaky Blinders, conceived by Steven Knight, is a riveting British period crime series unfolding against the gritty backdrop of post-World War I Birmingham. It delves into the daring escapades of the Peaky Blinders crime syndicate, drawing loose inspiration from a historical urban youth gang sharing the same moniker, active in Birmingham from the 1880s to the 1910s.
An exceptional ensemble cast spearheaded by Cillian Murphy as the cunning Tommy Shelby, features Helen McCrory as the indomitable Elizabeth “Polly” Gray, Paul Anderson as the volatile Arthur Shelby, Sophie Rundle as the resolute Ada Shelby, and Joe Cole as the steadfast John Shelby, among the gang’s principal figures. The series also boasts stellar performances from Sam Neill, Annabelle Wallis, Iddo Goldberg, Tom Hardy, Charlotte Riley, Finn Cole, Natasha O’Keeffe, Paddy Considine, Adrien Brody, Aidan Gillen, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sam Claflin, Amber Anderson, James Frecheville, and Stephen Graham, each leaving an indelible mark.
Originally premiering on September 12, 2013, on BBC Two, the show garnered widespread acclaim, subsequently transitioning to BBC One for its final seasons after its fourth installment. Netflix, securing distribution rights under a partnership with Weinstein Company and Endemol, brought the series to audiences in the United States and beyond.
In a bittersweet announcement in January 2021, it was revealed that the sixth series would mark the conclusion of the saga, followed by a promised spin-off film. The gripping finale of the series aired in 2022, marking the end of an era for fans worldwide.
Overview
“Peaky Blinders” is an enthralling crime drama that revolves around a Birmingham-based family of mixed Irish Traveller and Romani heritage, set in the aftermath of World War I in 1919. At its core is the Peaky Blinders street gang, led by the shrewd and ambitious crime boss, Tommy Shelby. Their world catches the eye of Major Chester Campbell, a detective chief inspector from the Royal Irish Constabulary dispatched by Winston Churchill to quell unrest and retrieve stolen arms destined for Libya. The series kicks off with the gang’s bold move to seize control of betting pitches at the Worcester Races on “Black Star Day” – December 3, 1919.
As the saga progresses, the Peaky Blinders extend their reach across the South and North, while still maintaining their stronghold in Birmingham. The second series spans from 1921 to 1922, culminating in a dramatic showdown at Epsom racecourse on Derby Day.
In the third series, set in 1924, Tommy and his cohorts venture into more perilous territories, expanding their operations internationally. New characters emerge, including Father John Hughes, a staunch anti-communist; Ruben Oliver, an artist commissioned by Polly; Russian Grand Duchess Tatiana Petrovna; and Linda Shelby, Arthur’s new spouse.
Series four unfolds amidst the looming threat of the New York Mafia seeking vengeance for past grievances. It ends amidst the general strike of May 1926, with Tommy leveraging alliances and political maneuvers, ultimately propelling him into a seat in Parliament by 1927.
The fifth series, set against the backdrop of Black Tuesday in October 1929, delves into the aftermath of a rally led by Sir Oswald Mosley, portraying the gang’s continued entanglement in societal upheaval.
In the sixth series, commencing in December 1933, as prohibition ends in the U.S. and the Nazi Party ascends in Germany, Tommy grapples not only with Mosley’s rising influence but also with threats from the Irish Mob and the Anti-Treaty IRA, showcasing the intricate web of alliances and conflicts that define his world.
Main Characters
| Cillian Murphy | Thomas Michael Shelby | Annabelle Wallis | Grace Shelby |
| Sam Neill | Chief Inspector | Ned Dennehy | Charlie Strong |
| Helen McCrory | Elizabeth Pollyanna | Benjamin Zephaniah | Jeremiah |
| Paul Anderson | Arthur Shelby Jr. | David Robert Dawson | Roberts |
| Iddo Goldberg | Freddie Thorne | Charlie Creed-Miles | Birmingham Boys |
| Sophie Rundle | Ada Thorne | Thomas Flanagan | Arthur Shelby |
| Joseph Michael Cole | Johnny Shelby | Noah George Taylor | Darby Sabini |
Production
Peaky Blinders was crafted and scripted by Steven Knight. The Yorkshire Content Fund, facilitated by Screen Yorkshire, contributed funding for the production, stipulating that most of the filming take place in Yorkshire. Linguists were notably absent from the production team, resulting in Romani Gypsies in the initial seasons often conversing in fragmented Romanian rather than Romani.
Series 1
The inaugural series was shot across various locations including Birmingham, Bradford, Dudley, Leeds, Liverpool, and Port Sunlight. Railway scenes were captured along the Keighley-Damems route, utilizing carriages sourced from the Ingrow Museum of Rail Travel (owned by the Vintage Carriages Trust) and those owned by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Trust. A significant portion of the show’s settings were brought to life at the Black Country Living Museum. Writing credits for the series were attributed to Steven Knight, Stephen Russell, and Toby Finlay.
Sam Neill, originally from Ulster and raised in New Zealand, sought assistance from Northern Irish actors James Nesbitt and Liam Neeson to reclaim his lost Northern Irish accent for the character C.I. Campbell. However, Neill ultimately had to temper the accent as the series was aimed at the United States audience.
Series 2
Following the broadcast of the initial series, a second installment was swiftly commissioned, hitting screens in October and November of 2014. On January 11, 2014, auditions took place in the Digbeth area of Birmingham, mirroring some of the series’ settings, to cast white and mixed-race teenage male extras. The auditions drew long queues, indicative of the show’s popularity and local interest.
Series 3
Following the conclusion of the second series, the show took to its Twitter account to announce its renewal for a third installment. On October 5, 2015, the official Peaky Blinders Twitter account shared that filming had commenced for series 3. The filming wrapped up on January 22, 2016, after a span of 78 days dedicated to shooting.
Series 4
While series 3 was airing, the BBC wasted no time in renewing Peaky Blinders for both series 4 and 5, each consisting of six episodes. Production for series 4 kicked off in March 2017, and it debuted on November 15, 2017, on BBC Two. Notably, despite The Weinstein Company’s prior involvement in the US distribution of the series, neither the company nor its logo were included in the credits.
Series 5
In mid-2016, the BBC greenlit a fifth series of the show. On August 22, 2018, it was officially announced that series 5 would be aired on BBC One. After an exclusive premiere at Birmingham Town Hall on July 18, 2019, the series made its debut on BBC One on August 25, 2019.
Series 6
On May 5, 2018, Steven Knight confirmed to the Birmingham Press Club that a sixth series was in the works. Production for the series was slated to commence in March 2020 but faced delays due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout 2020, rumors circulated linking comedian Rowan Atkinson to the role of Adolf Hitler in series 6, but producers dismissed these claims as “completely false.”
On January 18, 2021, it was announced that the recently initiated filming for series six would mark the conclusion of Peaky Blinders as a television series. However, Knight assured fans that “the story will continue in another form.” Unfortunately, Helen McCrory, renowned for her portrayal of Polly Gray, passed away in April 2021, rendering her unable to film any scenes for the series. Series six premiered on February 27, 2022.
Release
On September 24, 2014, Netflix announced its acquisition of exclusive US distribution rights from the Weinstein Company and Endemol. Series 1 became available for streaming on September 30, 2014, followed by the release of series 2 in November 2014. Series 3 was made accessible on May 31, 2016. However, due to licensing constraints, much of the original soundtrack of the show is unavailable on the Netflix-distributed version. In 2018, it was revealed that Peaky Blinders would transition from its original broadcast channel, BBC Two, to BBC One for its fifth and sixth series.
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