Peaky Blinders is a British historical crime drama television series that originally aired in 2013 and ran for six seasons, concluding in 2022. It’s not a movie, but it has captivated audiences with its gritty portrayal of the post-World War I criminal underworld, its complex characters, and its stunning cinematography.
:focal(634x85:635x86)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/7b/ba/7bba298e-7e2e-44f0-adb9-b47dfdc1e240/p05m69vt.jpg)
Set in the aftermath of World War I, Peaky Blinders follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in the industrial city of Birmingham, England, during the early 1900s. The series gets its name from the infamous “Peaky Blinders,” a gang known for sewing razor blades into the peaks of their flat caps, which they used as weapons.
The story is centered around the ambitious and ruthless Thomas Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy), a war hero turned gangster, who is the leader of the Shelby family. The series tracks the rise of his criminal empire, his struggle for power, and the conflicts that arise as he faces both external threats and his own internal demons.
Peaky Blinders is a captivating crime drama that blends historical elements with gripping character arcs and high-stakes storytelling. It explores power, ambition, family loyalty, and the lingering scars of war, all while immersing viewers in a stylish world of 1920s gangsters. Whether you’re drawn to the compelling characters, the historical context, or the sharp visuals, Peaky Blinders has become a modern classic in the crime drama genre.
