Peaky Blinders is a razor-sharp British period crime drama. It is set during the post-First World War era. So, this epic tale transports us back to the early years of the 1900s in Birmingham City.
Steven Knight – the creator of this epic fictional drama has based its stories on real-life characters and true incidents. However, he has taken liberties with its time. In reality, this particular gangster existed in the Small Heath area of Birmingham. Historically, they operated during the late 19th century (the 1800s) and early 20th century (the 1900s) period. To be more precise, this real-life gang operated between 1890 and 1910 years.
Synopsis [Official] of the Peaky Blinders (S1 to S6) Series
A notorious gang in 1919 Birmingham, England, is led by the fierce Tommy Shelby. He is a crime boss set on moving up in the world no matter the cost.
Key Details about the Peaky Blinders (S1 to S6) Series
| Genre | History, Drama, Crime |
| Original language | English (UK) |
| Creator | Steven Knight |
| Seasons | Six (6) Seasons in Total – Aired in the years – 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022 (Final Season) |
| Episodes | Six (6) Episodes in Six (6) Seasons| Thirty-six (36) Episodes in Total |
| Cast | Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, Natasha O’Keeffe, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, Finn Cole, etc. |
| Networks | BBC & Netflix |
Spoilers Free brief review of the Peaky Blinders series
The introduction
It is a historical tale about a Shelby gangster family, his family and friends. These crime stories are set in the lawless streets of Birmingham city after the First World War period. This gang is led by an intense Thomas (Tommy) Shelby. He is a passionate crime boss set on moving up in the world no matter the cost. He, his family, and his friends run a notorious gang in Birmingham city of England.
What to expect in it?
The story is set during the tough economic conditions of industrial England in the early twentieth century. Therefore, in this series, you will see glimpses of the struggles of poverty-stricken people in Britain. During that period, there was widespread poverty in the cities of England. The rich-poor divide was only widening in the urban areas of Britain. So, these gang members came from the poorest sections of society. They were born and brought up in the slums of Small Heath in Birmingham.
Shelby family
This gang evolved out of the ruthless social and economic deprivations of the working class in England. This is the tale that touches upon the dark belly of the wealthiest nation in the world. That too during the Victorian era in England. It is a gripping and captivating saga about the notorious gangster family “Shelby” of Birmingham City in England.
The conclusion
We loved the whole package of this period crime drama. So, do not forget to watch this show, which has won many awards, the details are shared below.
Meanwhile, we have heard that a movie on this Peaky Blinders subject (just like the Luther series) is all set to be made. It will be released in the not-so-distant future. This tale of universally well-liked anti-hero Thomas Shelby will move on to the bigger screen, too. Most likely, Thomas shall carry on with the hope of getting some kind of peace and penance in his life dominated by crimes of all kinds. Therefore, it will be a good idea to get yourself acquainted with finely made awarded British drama.
Overall Ratings of the Peaky Blinders Series
| FM’s rating | 4.45/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 93% Tomatometer & 93% Audience Score |
Focus:- bonus information about this British Period Crime Drama
- Located in England’s West Midlands region, Birmingham is famously known as the home of heavy-metal music as well as the city of a thousand and one trades and bandages. The multiple Industrial Revolution-era landmarks in the city attest to the historical fact that it was a manufacturing powerhouse in the 18th century. In addition, it is also home to a network of canals, many of which radiate from Sherborne Wharf.
- In this series, the gand leader Thomas Shelby and his family often refer to their Roma (Romani Community) roots. Hence, they were often discriminated against and probably crime was the only way to move up on the socio-economic ladder in that historical era. To quote the National WWII Museum: “Roma (and Sinti) Community can be traced back to India, to the Punjab region. The Romani language (the source for the appellation “Roma”) is related to Sanskrit. More than a thousand years ago, they began to migrate out of India, heading westward in successive waves. They crossed the Middle East and arrived in continental Europe in the later Middle Ages.” Some of the famous personalities of Roma origins are Charlie Chaplin (his reference came up in this series), Pablo Picasso, Rita Hayworth, Elvis Presley, etc.
Peaky Blinders (S1/2013) Series
Poster
Synopsis
Crime pays well. Business pays better.
Belfast detective Chester Campbell (Sam Neill) arrives in Birmingham assigned to purge the city of its violent street gangs.
Opening scene
Brief Review
When we saw its first season, we were amazed by the kind of creative endeavours put up by the entire production team of this series to showcase the historical details of Birmingham City in the post-World War One period. No doubt, this series won awards for an incredible bit of cinematography (photography) to depict the bleak scenarios in a city/country (Birmingham/England) rebuilding in the aftermath of a major war.
Also, the costumes worn by the gangster and his family members are fashionable. The acting by the ensemble cast (especially Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, Natasha O’Keeffe, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, Finn Cole, et al) is quite good, and it is backed by a captivating story.
So, like us, once you get the taste of this crime drama, you will find it addictive and you might get hooked. It is unlike any other crime drama that we have seen recently in the past.
Ratings
| FM’s rating | 4.40/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date: | 88% Tomatometer & 95% Audience Score |
| Critics Consensus / Rotten Tomatoes | This show moves at its own speed, taking its time to create a portrait of post-war Britain that’s as bloody and brutal as it is impressively immersive. |
The reason (the ideas of this series) came to me was that my parents grew up in Birmingham in the ’20s. My mum, when she was 9 years old, was a bookie’s runner; they used to use kids to take bets because it was all illegal. My dad’s uncle was part of this gang. It was reluctantly delivered, but my family did give me little snapshots, of gypsies and horses and gang fights and guns, and immaculate suits (and so on…)
Steven Knight | about the idea of this series
One of the first stories that inspired me was of my dad when he was a little kid, sent to deliver a message. There was a table, covered in money and guns, surrounded by blokes, beautifully dressed, drinking beer from jam jars. You didn’t buy glasses. You only spent money on clothes.
Peaky Blinders (S2/2014) Series
Poster
Synopsis
Time to make some real money.
The 1920s begin to roar, and business is booming as crime boss Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) expands his operations — and heads into perilous territory.
The promo
Brief Review
The second season of this series took its tales of crimes to London city and even got close to the power elites. With the expansion of criminal activities by this gang, the gangster family started to reap the handsome rewards with lots of inflow of fresh money and wealth. But as the crime story usually goes, money also leads people towards vices, indulgence, debauchery and the wrong paths.
Then there are a few other developments, including the fact that the number of their enemies only increased, who wanted to take down the Shelby family. It is another engaging season, that continues to hold our attention. Lest we forget, this series also boasts good-quality music and its theme song, Red Right Hand, was written by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
Ratings
| FM’s rating | 4.45/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 100% Tomatometer & 97% Audience Score |
| Ellen E Jones / Rotten Tomatoes | No, the show-off soundtrack, the roving accents, and the clunky exposition haven’t changed, but this show can now boast several more big-name actors to supplement the sterling work of Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory and Sam Neill. |
This was about love, good and bad and twisted out of recognition…This was when Peaky hit its stride because it became about people who are truly victims of their own wild and unknown destiny rather than their own decisions or their own history. We all want to be in that position I think.
Steven Knight | about the season 2 of this series
Peaky Blinders (S3/2016) Series
Poster
Synopsis
You can choose what you do, but you can’t choose what you want.
It’s now 1924, two years after the Epsom Derby. Publicly, Tommy (Cillian Murphy) runs the horse tracks and sells cars. Secretly, he’s working for Winston Churchill.
Launch Trailer
Brief Review
The legitimate and illegitimate businesses of this gang continue to expand their areas of operations, even reaching the shores of good old America across the ocean. On the other hand, Thomas Shelby (superbly played by Cillian Murphy) got involved in the deadly world of conspiracy, which involved high-stakes players like aristocratic Russians and the secretive organization named the Economic League.
It led to almost catastrophic consequences for the gang members, as they counted their losses. With each season, this series loses its grip on its paths and final destinations.
Once again, for us, this season was intriguing to watch.
This crime show is fascinating, indeed.
Ratings
| FM’s rating | 4.50/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 100% Tomatometer & 94% Audience Score |
| Kevin Yeoman / Rotten Tomatoes | One thing this show does well is to keep several pots simmering… season 3 has done a remarkable job getting all those posts arranged and steaming away, while still giving the series and its characters a welcome sense of progression. |
“This was about loss and carrying on when there is nothing to live for.”
Steven Knight | about the season 3 of this series
Peaky Blinders (S4/2017) Series
Poster
Synopsis
I’m not a traitor to my class. I’m just an extreme example of what a working man can achieve.
One year after a rift divides the Shelbys, they become targets of a Mafia vendetta, forcing the family to reunite and seek help from a shady new ally.
Trailer
Brief Review
Thomas Shelby received the prestigious Order of the British Empire (OBE), grew in social stature and claimed the class ladder when season four opened in the winter of 1925. But then he discovered the serious life threats against his estranged Shelby family and close blood relatives by the world of the powerful criminal Mafia. So, the Shelby Family fled for their dear lives and headed back to the only place where they could feel safe and fight back – the Small Heath in Birmingham.
With lurking danger in every corner and the proverbial cat-and-mouse game afoot, this was probably the best season of the series for us.
Ratings
| FM’s rating | 4.55/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 89% Tomatometer & 95% Audience Score |
| Critics Consensus / Rotten Tomatoes | This show’s confident fourth season doubles down on the violent delights without losing the meticulous detailing that made the show so appealing in the first place. |
This was about overcoming death. Or the fear of death… The freedom you get when no consequence scares you.
Steven Knight | about the season 4 of this series
Peaky Blinders (S5/2019) Series
Poster
Synopsis
Sometimes, death is a kindness.
As the Shelbys grapple with the 1929 stock market crash, Tommy (Cillian Murphy) confronts new threats to his power from younger family members and fascist rivals.
Trailer
Brief Review
The historical Wall Street Crash of 1929 dealt a crippling blow to the expanding businesses of the Peakys. Meanwhile, the personal stocks of Thomas Shelby continued to rise, as he became a respectable Member of Parliament (M.P.) in England. What an unbelievable journey it had been for Thomas Shelby, the clan leader of the gang, the criminal gangster.
But as you all can guess, the dangerous crash and setbacks were not very far away to drown the newly rising stocks of Thomas Shelby and his loving family. Besides, the rise of Fascism in the different countries of the world also infected the political system of England, including Thomas Shelby MP.
This fictional tale took a closer look at the idea of Fascism and how its growth and influence were challenged by the Shelby family in England.
It was one more gripping season of historical crime drama, which entered into the dangerous world of politics.
Ratings
| FM’s rating | 4.45/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 86% Tomatometer & 89% Audience Score |
| Critics Consensus / Rotten Tomatoes | While this show’s fifth season suffers somewhat from superficial characterization, it remains one of TV’s most visually thrilling endeavours. |
I wanted to suggest for the first time that Tommy might even believe he has a chance at redemption, and that redemption might even mean something to him. He also finds that he loves his wife and that his children are a reason to go on living. Welcome, Tommy, to the fringes of the human race.
Steven Knight | about the season 5 of this series
Peaky Blinders (S6/2022) Series
Poster
Synopsis
The Shelbys suffer a crushing loss. Four years later, Prohibition’s end turns Tommy (Cillian Murphy) toward the opium trade, forcing him to ally with his worst enemies.
Trailer
Brief Review
In this historical saga, Thomas Shelby sniffed a business opportunity with the sight of the imminent end of prohibition in America. On the other hand in the political arena, Fascism continued to rise in the world, despite facing some hiccups along the way. So, the finale of this series sneaked onto us, and as it ended many of us mourned the loss of some of the most loved characters, including Polly Gray (stylishly played by Helen McCrory, sadly the world lost her in real life too, #RIP), which was sad indeed.
Thankfully, as the series ended, Thomas Shelby lived and rode on a white horse. Maybe the changing of it colour of the horse from the first scene (Black – check the video scene shared below) to the last scene (White in the picture) means that he had changed his ways and moved towards a new phase of life.
Ratings
| FM’s rating | 4.35/5 |
| Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 100% Tomatometer & 90% Audience Score |
| Critics Consensus / Rotten Tomatoes | This show’s sixth season gracefully addresses the untimely passing of star Helen McCrory while setting the stage for a fitting climax to this epic saga of likeable scalawags. |
Awards won by the Peaky Blinders Series
| Names of the Awards | Winners of the Awards |
|---|---|
| Bafta TV Craft – 2014 | Otto Bathurst – Winner – BAFTA Television Craft Award – Director – Fiction George Steel – Winner – BAFTA Television Craft Award – Photography and Lighting |
| Royal Television Society, UK – 2014 | Winner RTS Television Award – Drama Series Stephanie Collie (costume designer) – Winner – RTS Craft & Design Award – Best Costume Design: Drama |
| British Screenwriters’ Awards – 2016 | Steven Knight – Winner – British Screenwriters’ Award – Best British TV Drama Writing |
| Irish Film and Television Awards – 2017 | Cillian Murphy (actor) – Winner IFTA Award – Best Actor in a Lead Role – Drama |
| BAFTA Awards – 2018 | Winner BAFTA TV Award – Best Drama Series |
| TV Choice Awards UK – 2018 | Cillian Murphy – Winner – TV Choice Award – Best Actor Winner TV Choice Award – Best Drama Series |
| Irish Film and Television Awards – 2018 | Cillian Murphy – Winner IFTA Award – Best Actor in a Lead Role – Drama Winner IFTA Award – Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Drama – Charlie Murphy |
| National Television Awards, UK – 2020 | Winner – National Television Award – Best Drama Cillian Murphy – Winner – National Television Award – Best Drama Performance |
| TV Choice Awards UK – 2020 | Winner TV Choice Award – Best Drama Series |
| Bafta TV Craft – 2020 | Laura Schiavo – Winner – BAFTA Television Craft Award – Makeup & Hair Design |
| TV Choice Awards UK – 2022 | Cillian Murphy – Winner – TV Choice Award – Best Actor |
FM article: Rogue Heroes – another series created by Steven Knight.
Featured & Other Images: Peaky Blinders | BBC, Netflix & Instagram.