Peaky Blinders is a British crime drama created by Steven Knight.
The show is set in Birmingham, England, during the aftermath of World War I and follows the exploits of the Shelby crime family, led by the ambitious and cunning Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy.
Season one premiered on 12 September 2013 on BBC Two in the UK and since then it has become a phenomenal hit helped by Netflix acquiring the rights to release the show in the United States and around the world.
In January 2021, it was announced that the sixth series would be the last but the good news is that there are plans for a spinoff film which is currently in production.
So if you've binged the antics of the Shelby family for six seasons and are now at a loss as to what to watch, don't worry.
We've got you covered with ten shows like Peaky Blinders that will keep you entertained.
OUR LIST OF SHOWS LIKE PEAKY BLINDERS
Bad Blood
How difficult is it to obtain and keep power? Bad Blood is based on the real Mafia boss, Vito Rizzuto and his ruthless hold on all crime throughout the city as well as southern Quebec and Ontario. A superbly acted crime show that is more Sopranos than Goodfellas.
Ozark
Ozark follows Marty Byrde, a financial advisor who drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, to launder money for a drug boss. An outstanding crime drama.
Bloodline
Bloodline is an intense, dark family drama that explores just how far some people are willing to go to protect the reputation of their family, even if it is a brother that's threatening to unravel the secrets of the past. Influenced by Crime & Punishment, if you like shows like Damages and Ozark, you'll love this.
The Alienist
It's 1896 in New York City and psychologist (The Alienist) Laszlo Kreizler is enlisted by Police Commissioner Roosevelt to catch a killer preying on homeless boys. An absolute must watch.
Taboo
Created by and starring Tom Hardy, Taboo follows adventurer James Delaney who returns to London during the War of 1812 to rebuild his late father's shipping empire in this mystery drama thriller.
Mayor of Kingstown
Mayor of Kingstown follows the McLusky family, power brokers between the gangs and law enforcement in a town where incarceration is the only thriving industry.
Happy!
One of the craziest shows to come from SyFy, Happy! follows a disgraced former FBI agent, through his psychotic hitman life with his imaginary side-kick 'Happy'. It is as bonkers as it sounds. Dark, dark, dark comedy with gruesome undertones but is still surprisingly entertaining.
Giri / Haji
A crime drama that moves between London and Tokyo, Giri / Haji follows the after-effects of what happens when the nephew of a Japan Yakuza boss is murdered in London. Really great story and characters with plenty of drama and action.
Wanted
Wanted follows two strangers who find themselves on the run for their lives when they accidentally become prime suspects in a murder they didn't commit. Solid Australian crime drama.
Narcos
Narcos follows the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar, the Columbian cartels, the incredible wealth generated and the horrific lengths that they will go to keep it.
How Many Episodes And Seasons Of Peaky Blinders?
Peaky Blinders first aired in the UK in 2013. There are six seasons in total and each has just six episodes.
So overall, there are six seasons and 36 episodes of Peaky Blinders available to watch. All of them are on both the BBC and Netflix.
Thankfully most of the shows like Peaky Blinders that we've recommended above also have multiple seasons and plenty of episodes to get stuck into!
When Is Peaky Blinders Set?
Peaky Blinders is a crime drama about a family of mixed Irish traveller and Romani people who are based in Birmingham.
The show starts in 1919, just after the end of the First World War and takes place over a two year period.
Season 2 starts in 1921 and ends with the Epsom racecourse scene on 31 May 1922.
Skipping ahead two years, the third series starts and ends in 1924 with the fourth season beginning on Christmas Eve 1925.
The season ends following the general strike of May 1926 with Tommy elected as a Member of Parliament in 1927.
The fifth series begins two years later on 29 October 1929 (Black Tuesday) and ends on 7 December 1929.
The sixth and final season picks up on 5 December 1933, as the Nazi Party has obtained power in Germany.
Is Peaky Blinders Based On A True Story?
No, Peaky Blinders is not based on a true story. While the series incorporates some real historical events and figures, it is primarily a work of fiction.
The characters, storylines, and the Shelby crime family depicted in the show are fictional creations by the series' creator, Steven Knight.
However, the show does draw inspiration from the history and atmosphere of post-World War I Birmingham, England, and incorporates elements of the time period into its narrative.
The Peaky Blinders Gang
The series revolves around the Shelby family, who operate a criminal gang known as the Peaky Blinders. They are known for their distinctive peaked caps with razor blades sewn into the brims.
The Shelby family, led by Tommy Shelby, rises to power in the criminal underworld of Birmingham, while facing challenges from rival gangs, law enforcement, and political figures.
The main characters in Peaky Blinders gang include:
Tommy Shelby: The leader of the Peaky Blinders gang, portrayed by Cillian Murphy. Tommy is a strategic and intelligent figure who navigates the criminal underworld and seeks to expand the family's power.
Arthur Shelby: Tommy's older brother, played by Paul Anderson. Arthur is a hot-headed and impulsive member of the gang, known for his violent tendencies.
John Shelby: Tommy's younger brother, portrayed by Joe Cole. John is a loyal member of the gang and plays an active role in their operations.
Finn Shelby: The youngest Shelby sibling, portrayed by Harry Kirton. Finn initially has a less prominent role but becomes more involved in the gang's affairs as the series progresses.
Aunt Polly Gray: The matriarch of the Shelby family, played by Helen McCrory. Polly is a strong and resourceful woman who manages the financial side of the gang's operations.
Ada Shelby: Tommy's sister, portrayed by Sophie Rundle. Ada is more politically inclined and becomes involved in activism, often challenging the gang's criminal activities.
Peaky Blinders Spin Off Movie
Like so many other shows that had production affected by the lockdown, Peaky Blinders filming halted in 2020.
Creator Steven Knight then announced he would make a feature length movie in place of a seventh television series.
All we know for now though is that the script for the upcoming Peaky Blinders film is “close” to being done.
The creators also have a shooting schedule and the dates for filming have been confirmed.
It's safe to assume that we won't get to see the Peaky Blinders movie until at least 2024.
Conclusion
So that's it for now from the world of gangs and crime. But don't forget that if you're looking for shows like Peaky Blinders, the ten choices above should do the trick nicely.
If there are any we've overlooked, just let us know in the comments!
