Gambling, protection, violence and, above all, a lot of style, the series chronicles the rise of the gang and its members after the end of the First World War. From humble beginnings, to hoarding power no similar gang could dream of, thanks to the ambition of their boss, Tommy Shelby.
During the series, they will have to face a multitude of enemies, among which are the law and other criminal organizations.
similar to others perioddrama vintage, like Boardwalk Empire from HBO (which is thematically and stylistically reminiscent), is an excellent series with an unmistakable style that you want to imitate all the time. Likewise, it is a story that it cooks over low heat. In fact, that is one of the criticisms that are made of it, but, in reality, it is a quality and not a defect.
Likewise, its superb production style and design hooks you from the first moment with excellent cinematography.
Where does the name Peaky Blinders come from, what does it mean?
Name refers to the peculiar caps they wear the band members in the series.
With razor blades sewn into the fabric between the visorthey served as a weapon that mutilated and disfigured their enemies, as can be seen in some episodes of the series.
Interestingly, it is unlikely that this was the real hallmark, as these were scarce and expensive at the time.
Is Peaky Blinders based on a true story?
Yes, albeit very liberally, are based on a real gang from Birmingham. Engaged in criminal activities similar to those in the series, they did not rise as high, lacking Tommy Shelby’s ambitions.
Some differences between the real inspiration and the fictional characters is that the gang was operating at the end of the 19th century and, at the time of the series, it was no longer active.
In the same way, many of its members were very young, some with 12 years of nothing. Yes indeed, the violence was similar or greaterbeing a very dangerous gang, but never going beyond the level of a street gang.
The origin of the series
Its creator, Steven Knight, was inspired by his father’s unclesthe Sheldons, bookies who were part of the heritage of the Peaky Blinders. In an interview with History Extra revealed that his father’s stories inspired his first look at the series.
“One of the stories that really made me want to write Peaky Blinders It’s one that my father told me […] His father gave him a message and said: ‘Go and give this to your uncles’… My father knocked on the door and there was a table with about eight immaculately dressed men, with caps and pistols in their pockets. The table was covered in money.
“Just that image: smoke, alcohol and these impeccably dressed men in this Birmingham slum… Then I thought about it: that’s the mythology, that’s the story, and that’s the first image I started working with.”
How many seasons does Peaky Blinders have and what are they about
The Serie it has 6 seasons, the last one premiering in March 2022. We compile what each of them is about, trying not to do too much spoilers what is important because, if you haven’t seen it, we highly recommend it.
Peaky Blinders season 1
Here we are told the beginnings of the bandillegal bookmakers who accidentally steal some weapons.
That will bring them up against Inspector Campbell, sent by Churchill himself to solve that robbery.
Season 2 of the Peaky Blinders
The consequences of the confrontation with Campbell, the dealings with the IRA or the accumulation of increasing power by the gang are some of the topics.
Also the fact that Tommy Shelby and Winston Churchill have a certain relationship that we are not going to reveal, in addition to the fact that the confrontation with Campbell is finally resolved.
Season 3 of the Peaky Blinders
The Peaky Blinders They have upgraded.
involved in affairs of the russian royal refugee after the revolution and in fights with the Changretta crime familywe see Shelbys who are no longer starving on the streets of Birmingham.
Peaky Blinders Season 4
Every boom has a bust. The fight with the Changrettas continues and the Shelbys pay a high price for it.
Also, Tommy Shelby’s ambition knows no bounds and seizes new power when he gets elected as a Labor politician in South Birmingham.
Season 5 of the Peaky Blinders
located behind the crack of the 29th, the Shelbys find a new tall antagonist in the charismatic politician Oswald Mosley, a fascist politician and diabolical.
The confrontation between the two is the main engine of the season and it does not go very well for the Shelbys, ending with an ending that left us all expectant.
Season 6 of the Peaky Blinders
With World War II on the horizon, little is known about the sixth season and its plot, but Tommy will have to face the consequences of his actions and will continue to be martyred by his post-traumatic syndrome and the appearances of his dead wife.
Main characters
The series has given us a good number of unforgettable characters, among which it is worth highlighting:
- Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy. Leader of the gang, ambitious, charismatic and tough, he will do anything to take his family to the top.
- Arthur Shelby, played by Paul Anderson. The older brother, violent and unpredictable, has a major problem with cocaine.
- Polly Gray, played by the sadly late Helen McCroryShe is the matriarch of the Shelby family.
- John Shelby, played by Joe Coleand another of the main members of the band.
- Inspector Campbell, played by Sam Neillof the Royal Irish Constabularyhired by Winston Churchill to locate and recover the missing consignment of arms from the Birmingham factory Small Arms Company. will start a vendetta personal against the Shelbys and will be one of their greatest enemies.
- Grace Shelby, who will be the wife of Tommy and one of his main supporters in his rise to power.
Other key characters have been the great Alfie Solomon, played by a Tom Hardy in a state of grace or Adrien Brody as Luca Changrettaanother powerful enemy.
Where to watch the Peaky Blinders series
Since we assume that you probably don’t read us from England, you have all the seasons available exclusively on the Netflix catalog.
Some curiosities about the series
To finish, here some secrets that few know about the series Peaky Blinders.
- The actor Jason Statham almost participated in the series, but other commitments made it impossible.
- Although the series is mainly set in Birmingham, it is shot in liverpool.
- The end of the series has been revealed by its creator and will end with the sound of sirens from World War II.
- Cillian Murphy asked the manager of props to count how many cigarettes he consumes in the series. The account was about 3000 per season.
- Snoop Dog or the late David Bowie are some of the most famous fans of the series.
As you see, Peaky Blinders It has been crowned one of the best modern series and rightly so. Its mix of style, deep stories and phenomenal acting and recreation have made it a cult series that keeps up with the seasons.
An essential that, if you have not seen yet, you are already taking.
