This article isn't an in-depth study but an overview on why you should consider watching:
Peaky Blinders (2013-Present)
Five Seasons
Made by BBC
Watch on Netflix
It's a show released in the USA by Netflix, but it is developed by BBC. This series features the Shelby family set in 1919 Birmingham, England loosely based on a true story. This cut-throat razor gang is led by Tommy Shelby who is set on being the biggest and badest of them all.
The three things that matter most in a show are satisfactory writing, solid acting and competent directing. Everything else would be nice to have but isn't completely needed to be a watchable show. However, I believe that Peaky Blinders not only possesses these three things but has everything else too.
➡️ STORY: In this show, our protagonists are the gang members, so you can imagine that the line of morality is shifting throughout. It's interesting to see what the Shelbys will and will not do. What is considered too far? Another consistent theme is the desire for power. Many films and shows have this same idea, but Peaky Blinders keeps it nuanced. Sometimes Tommy Shelby is content and other times not. We get to see the continuous attempts to climb the latter for the title of most feared.
➡️ CHARACTERS: While we do get to see some gang fights and things associated thereof, the show is about the characters first. Tommy Shelby is portrayed Cillian Murphy (known for Batman Begins, Inception, 28 Days Later, etc.). We say this a lot these days, but the casting is perfect for everybody. Cillian illustrates Tommy as calm under pressure, smart, cunning, and he can be intimidating when need be. He isn't a typical gangster leader. Tommy, for the most part, does what he thinks is right. As long as you're not on his bad side, he'll be nice and do things for you. He won't take advantage if you don't cross him.
"Family" is a word you'll hear every episode multiple times. It matters, and that leads into my next favorite character being the eldest Shelby brother, Arthur. He is played by Paul Anderson (may recognize him from Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows as the awesome main henchman). Arthur has my favorite character arc, but I dare not spoil it for you. To keep it simple, he may be the oldest, but he isn't "the guy". Arthur is abundant in street smarts, and he is terrifying to most people who cross him. Watch how he deals with this.
➡️ Other characters to mention include Sam Neill (Jurassic Park's main character) as the tough antagonist Major Campell. Also, we have Tom Hardy later in the show (Mad Max: Fury Road, Venom) who is an oddball leader of the Jewish gang. I can't stress the odd part enough. I've never seen him do a performance like this before or since. The best actress in the show to me is Helen McCrory (Malfoy's mother in Harry Potter) as Aunt Polly. Lastly, I can not fail to mention Annabelle Wallis (The Mummy) as Grace. She is an interesting character being a love interest with a lot more to her than anybody knows.
Like with any show, spoilers will happen if you look up too much, so that's why this article exists. At least go watch the first episode on Netflix. When the song Red Right Hand starts to sound like the words Peaky Blinders flash on the screen, you'll thank me!
Don't mess with the Peaky Blinders!
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