Peaky Blinders (TV series)

Peaky Blinders
Series titles over a black background
Genre Historical fiction
Created by Steven Knight
Written by Steven Knight
Directed by
  • Otto Bathurst (series 1)
  • Tom Harper (series 1)
  • Colm McCarthy (series 2)
  • Tim Mielants (series 3)
Starring
Opening theme "Red Right Hand" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Composer(s) Mearl
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 3
No. of episodes 13
Production
Executive producer(s)
Producer(s) Katie Swinden
Location(s) Birmingham, England
Cinematography George Steel
Running time 55-59 minutes
Production company(s)
Distributor

Endemol UK (UK)

The Weinstein Company (US)
Release
Original network BBC Two
Original release 12 September 2013 (2013-09-12) – present
External links
Peaky Blinders at BBC Programmes

Peaky Blinders is a fictional historical crime drama television series, founded on factual events, starring Cillian Murphy as the boss of the historical Peaky Blinders gang.[1] Set in Birmingham, England, during the aftermath of World War I, the series was created by Steven Knight, and produced by Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect Productions.

The first series aired on BBC Two on 13 September 2013 and ran for six episodes. The second series premiered on 2 October 2014. The third series premiered on on 5 May 2016 (available 31 May in the U.S.).[2]

Premise

Peaky Blinders is a gangster family epic set in Birmingham, England, in 1919, just after the First World War. The story centres on the Peaky Blinders gang and their ambitious and highly dangerous boss Tommy Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy). The gang comes to the attention of Chief Inspector Chester Campbell (played by Sam Neill), a detective in the Royal Irish Constabulary sent over from Belfast (where he'd been sent to clean up the city of the IRA, gangs, and common criminals). Winston Churchill (played by Andy Nyman in series 1 and Richard McCabe in series 2) charged him with suppressing disorder and uprising in Birmingham and recover a stolen cache of arms meant to be shipped to Libya.[3][4][5][6][7]

The second series is set two years after the first and sees "the Shelby family expand their empire South and North while maintaining a stronghold in their Birmingham heartland".[8] Beginning in 1921, it ends with a climax at Epsom race-course on "Derby Day" in June 1922.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Production

Candidates for roles as teenage male extras queueing in Birmingham

Peaky Blinders was created by Steven Knight, directed by Otto Bathurst, and produced by Katie Swinden. The writers are listed as Steven Knight, David Leland, Stephen Russell and Toby Finlay.[10]

The series was filmed in Birmingham, Bradford, Dudley, Leeds, and Liverpool.[11] Railway sequences were filmed between Keighley and Damems, using carriages from the Ingrow Museum of Rail Travel (owned by Vintage Carriages Trust[12]) and carriages owned by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Trust.[13]

Sam Neill enlisted the help of Northern Irish actors James Nesbitt and Liam Neeson to help him perfect a Northern Irish accent for the role of C.I. Campbell. In the end, he had to tone the accent down since the series is being marketed in the United States.[14]

Second series

A second series was commissioned shortly after the broadcast of the first and aired in the autumn of 2014.[15] On 11 January 2014, auditions were held in Digbeth area of Birmingham (near where parts of the series is set) for white and mixed race teenage male extras, resulting in lengthy queues.[16][17] Tom Hardy and Noah Taylor join the cast for the second series.[18]

Third series

Shortly after the final episode of the second series, the show announced via its official Twitter account that it had been renewed for a third series.[19]

On 4 October 2015, Deadline announced that Paddy Considine[20] was added to the cast of series 3.

On 5 October 2015, the official Peaky Blinders Twitter account announced that filming for Series 3 had begun.[21]

Alexander Siddig has been spotted on set numerous times filming up and coming scenes for series 3.[22]

On 2 March 2016, during an interview with Steven Knight in the Crime scene quarterly, Knight said "I've had unsolicited communication from Michael Mann, the film director, from Dennis Lehane, Snoop Dogg – he's such a fan. And the late David Bowie was a huge fan – more of that to come" strongly hinting Bowie's involvement on Series 3.[23][24]

BBC Two announced on Twitter that series 3 would air on BBC 2 beginning 5 May 2016.[2]

US distribution

On 24 September 2014, it was announced that Netflix had acquired exclusive US distribution rights from the Weinstein Company and Endemol. The entirety of season 1 became available for streaming on 30 September 2014; season 2 launched in November 2014.[25] Season 3 will be available 31 May 2016.

Episodes

Series 1

# Title Directed by Written by Original air date UK viewers
(millions)[26]
1"Episode 1"Otto BathurstSteven Knight12 September 2013 (2013-09-12)3.05
Post the Great War in 1919, the Peaky Blinders, led by Thomas Shelby, appropriates a consignment of guns which have been stolen from the local arms factory. Inspector Campbell has been brought from Ireland to Birmingham by Winston Churchill to find and retrieve the guns. Aunt Polly urges Thomas to return the guns to avoid trouble, but Thomas feels he can use the guns to his advantage. In addition, Thomas is having trouble getting his brother Arthur to agree with him about fixing horse races. Arthur believes that it will cause trouble with kingpin Billy Kimber, who runs the races. Arthur and Thomas's sister Ada is involved with a communist, Thomas' former best friend, Freddy Thorne. A new barmaid, Grace, starts working at the bar. Unbeknownst to the Peaky Blinders, she has been placed in Birmingham by Inspector Campbell to help find the guns.
2"Episode 2"Otto BathurstSteven Knight19 September 2013 (2013-09-19)2.45
Thomas, Arthur and John meet up with the Lees, a family of travelers to look at a horse. The Lees insult the Peaky Blinders and a fight breaks out. Afterwards, the Lees send Thomas a bullet with his name on it. Thomas tries to make an alliance with Billy Kimber so he can legalise the Shelby gambling ring. Thomas meets with Inspector Campbell, and tells him, if the Peaky Blinders are left alone, then Thomas will return the guns and Campbell will be a hero, but if the Inspector interferes with his plans, Thomas will send the guns to the IRA. Freddy has left town, but Aunt Polly and Ada realise Ada is pregnant with Freddy Thorne's baby.
3"Episode 3"Otto BathurstSteven Knight26 September 2013 (2013-09-26)2.20
Ada and Freddy marry, and Aunt Polly gives them money to leave the country. Despite Thomas' best efforts to keep the guns a secret, it seems that people keep finding out about them, including two IRA members. Grace overhears them trying to blackmail Thomas and follows one of them, but he attacks her. Grace manages to fight her attacker off by shooting him in self defence. Thomas warns Kimber that Lee's people will once again rob Kimber's bookies at the races. Thomas brings Grace as his date to Cheltenham races in an attempt to distract Kimber as well as convince him that he should hire the Blinders as his security. Kimber agrees if he can have some time alone with Grace, Thomas agrees. At the last minute, Thomas has a change of heart and claims that Grace is actually a prostitute with gonorrhea. Freddy decides Thomas is not going to scare him off and returns.
4"Episode 4"Tom HarperSteven Knight, Stephen Russell3 October 2013 (2013-10-03)2.31
Thomas has made the business legitimate by obtaining a betting license. Although he doesn't quite trust her, and is suspicious of her, Thomas hires Grace as his secretary. John calls the family together to tell them he has decided his four children need a mother, and he has decided he wants to marry Lizzie, a local prostitute. Thomas disapproves because he doesn't think Lizzie has given up her former profession. The Lees rob the Shelby's house while the family is out. Thomas decides to call a truce with the Lee family so that he can have an ally against Billy Kimber and marries John to Lees' daughter Esme to consummate the agreement. Ada comes to the wedding, but goes into labour soon after. Freddy tries to come to see the new baby, but gets arrested when he shows up.
5"Episode 5"Tom HarperSteven Knight, Toby Finlay10 October 2013 (2013-10-10)2.03
Believing Thomas betrayed Freddy, Ada does not want to see or speak to her family. Although Arthur Sr. deserted the family a decade ago, he comes back into town. Thomas wants nothing to do with him, but Arthur Jr. believes he has changed and wants to do anything to help him, including opening up hotels in America. However, Arthur Sr. takes off with the money Arthur Jr. gave him. When Arthur Jr. finally tracks his father down, Arthur Sr. admits he never had any plans and felt that the Shelby family owed him. An IRA member starts inquiring about the man Grace killed. Grace and Thomas kill the other IRA members. Now in love with Thomas, Grace tells Inspector Campbell, if she gives him the location of the guns, he has to leave Thomas and his family alone. She suspects the guns are buried in a false grave after discovering that Danny Whizz-Bang is not really dead, but in London on business for the Shelby family. Grace gives up the location to Inspector Campbell, and resigns service to the crown. As she has resigned, and the guns found, with the exception of one, Inspector Campbell proposes marriage, which Grace rejects.
6"Episode 6"Tom HarperSteven Knight17 October 2013 (2013-10-17)2.24
The Peaky Blinders, led by Danny Whizz-Bang spring Freddy from gaol/jail, Winston Churchill believes Grace should receive some commondation for her part in finding the missing guns. Inspector Campbell finds out Grace has been with Thomas. Polly meets with Grace, and tells her she knows her secret. Polly says that while Thomas may forgive Grace, Polly never will. Thomas has gathered the Peaky Blinders and the Lees to take on Kimber's men at the tracks, but Kimber has caught wind of it, and while the Peaky Blinders and the Lees are on their way to the races, catches the Shelby's off guard and outnumbered by confronting them at home. Freddy brings out the missing gun, but Ada jumps in the middle of the shoot out trying to bring peace. Kimber fires off a shot at the Peaky Blinders, and then gets shot himself.

Series 2

# Title Directed by Screenplay and Story Written by Original air date UK viewers
(millions)[26]
1"Episode 1"Colm McCarthySteven Knight2 October 2014 (2014-10-02)2.31
Peaky Blinders picks up two years later, in 1921. The Garrison has been blown up while the family is attending Freddy Thorne's funeral. Tommy tries to get Ada to come back home as he is planning an expansion to London. Tommy goes to the Black Lion to confront those who he thinks blew up the Garrison. Instead he's taken to meet with some rivals and given a proposition requiring him to murder someone. Tommy is informed, Campbell, now a major, is returning back to Birmingham. The Shelby family has a meeting regarding the expansion of the bookies business but John's wife Esme has reservations regarding the dangerous turf wars in London. Tommy, Arthur and John decide to get familiar with the London scene, but are not welcome at Darby Sabini's club. Polly visits a medium for information on her children that were taken from her. Esme finds out, but Polly swears her to secrecy. Tommy hires Lizzie as his secretary. In retaliation for what happened at Mr. Sabini's club, he has his thugs kidnap and attempt to rape Ada, as well as beat Thomas. Major Campbell steps in before Darby Sabini's men can finish off Tommy.
2"Episode 2"Colm McCarthySteven Knight9 October 2014 (2014-10-09)2.18
Major Campbell visits Tommy in the hospital and discloses to him that he knows about the murder Tommy committed on behalf of the Irish. Tommy leaves the hospital against orders, and asks his Uncle Charlie take him via boat down to London. Tommy meets with Alfie Solomon, a difficult man who runs a Jewish gang in Camden Town. Tommy has a hard time convincing Alfie that he should go into business with the Peaky Blinders. Tommy tracks down Ada, and buys her a house as a means of laundering money. He also buys Polly a house. Esme has told Tommy about Polly trying to track down her children. Tommy tells Polly her daughter is dead, but he has managed to track down her son. Unfortunately, due to the law, Polly is unable to track down her son until he is 18 years of age. Arthur's flashbacks from the war are getting worse, and during one, he kills a boy during a boxing match. After the reopening of the Garrison, Polly's son, Michael shows up on her doorstep.
3"Episode 3"Colm McCarthySteven Knight16 October 2014 (2014-10-16)2.20
The Shelby brothers hire the Digbeth Kid, a neighborhood boy who loves cowboy movies, to get stood up for gambling to help the local cops meet their arrest quota. While in gaol/jail, Sabini's thugs murder the Digbeth kid to get back at the Peaky Blinders for their intrusion on his turf. Polly and Michael try to get to know each other. Tommy and John meet with Billy, of the Black Country Boys, who fought with them in the war. Tommy tells Billy to round up his men for them to go to work in Camden Town for Alfie Solomons. Michael requests that Tommy gives him a job. Arthur is threatened by the mother of the boy he killed. Tommy tells Major Campbell that the officers played a joke on him and have boarded him in a house that is owned by a not-so-former Madam. The Shelby boys and Michael go to the auction to purchase a horse, and meet horse trainer May Carleton.
4"Episode 4"Colm McCarthySteven Knight23 October 2014 (2014-10-23)2.06
Tommy meets with his Irish handlers, only to find out they are backed by Major Campbell and the Crown. They order another hit, but Tommy turns them down. Arthur and boys attack one of Sabini's clubs. Tommy hires May Carleton to train his horse. Tommy wants to export the whisky to America and Canada who are currently under prohibition. Arthur's cocaine habit is starting to get out of control. Tommy tells him to straighten up or he's going to replace him with John. Tommy goes to visit Ada and finds out she has a lodger named James. James is an artist, but Ada explains to Tommy, James is not interested in women. Tommy tells Ada he has set up a trust fund for John's children and her son, Carl. Alfie Solomons and Darby Sabini meet and patch up their differences. Michael and his new friend Isaiah, Jeremiah Jesus' son, try to drink in a bar, but get into a fight because they don't want a black man drinking at the bar. Michael and Isaiah return to the Garrison, but when John and Arthur find out that the Shelby name was disrespected, they round up Jeremiah and burn the bar.
5"Episode 5"Colm McCarthySteven Knight30 October 2014 (2014-10-30)2.10
A bloody sacrificial goat of an episode, as Jewish gangster Alfie Solomons hosts a Passover seder and invites jovially unaware Arthur and some of his men; who are soon equally slaughtered and has Arthur sent to prison. Major Campbell further unfurls his vast tentacles of power, and has Michael arrested too for good measure. Meanwhile Sabini and the now gruesomely scarred Mario take back control of the Eden Club. Tommy finds his fledgling empire crumbling before him, as his power-base in London is obliterated. Tommy struggles to save his family and regain the upper hand, as the tentative Black Country/Brum alliance is in tatters after the untimely death of Billy Kitchen. Tommy further complicates his love life, by escorting the returning Grace to a passionate date, though still stringing May along, who had earlier expressed her feelings for him. Having slept with Tommy, Grace admits being in London with husband procuring fertility specialists. The villainous Campbell extracts a devastating sacrifice from Polly in exchange for her son's freedom. One which Michael is unlikely to understand or appreciate once discovered. Tommy attempts to end his romantic relationship with May, though still wants her to continue training his horse.
6"Episode 6"Colm McCarthySteven Knight6 November 2014 (2014-11-06)2.24
Tommy decides to settle all his affairs in case he meets an untimely death. He also meets with Alfie Solomons regarding business contracts. Alfie gets Arthur out of prison. Derby Day has arrived. Polly tries to pay off Michael to get him to leave. Tommy collects the Peaky Blinders and gives them their mission at the races. Without firing a shot, they are to collect and burn the licenses of Derby Sabini's bookies and steal the bets. Tommy runs into Grace who informs him she's pregnant. Tommy tells her after the race, they will talk. Tommy completes his mission for Major Campbell, but at Lizzie's expense. Major Campbell's men from Ireland kidnap Tommy and take him to an empty field while Aunt Polly meets with Major Campbell. Michael decides he wants in on the family business.

Series 3

# Title Directed by Screenplay and Story Written by Original air date UK viewers
(millions)[26]
1"Episode 1"Tim MielantsSteven Knight5 May 2016 (2016-05-05)TBA

Thomas Shelby gets married to Grace Burgess at the beginning. It's all disrupted when the Russians come along and Arthur cuts one of them a short time at the wedding party. Meanwhile, Finn is upstairs with an aristocrat woman. Arthur has also fallen in love but who with?

.
2"Episode 2"[27]Tim MielantsSteven Knight12 May 2016 (2016-05-12)TBA

Reception

The reception for Peaky Blinders was largely positive, with notable praise for its writing, acting, visual style and stylish cinematography. David Renshaw of The Guardian summarised the series to be a "riveting, fast-paced tale of post-first world war Birmingham gangsters", praising Murphy as the "ever-so-cool Tommy Shelby" and the rest of the cast for their "powerful performances."[28] Sarah Compton of The Telegraph gave the series a 4/5 rating, praising the show for its originality and "taking all of our expectations and confounding them."[29] Alex Fletcher from Digital Spy believes "Peaky Blinders has started as sharp as a dart,"[30] while Den of Geek called the series "the most intelligent, stylish and engrossing BBC drama in ages."[31] Cult TV Times critic Hugh David said the show "warrants the billing" by "managing to tick several ratings boxes – period drama, gangster epic, film star leads – yet go against the grain of those in the most interesting of ways."[32]

The show has been celebrated for its stylish cinematography and charismatic performances, as well as for casting an eye over a part of Britain and British history rarely explored on television.[33] Historians have been divided over whether bringing characters and events from other decades into a 1920s story undermines claims to historical accuracy, or whether working-class life in the period is nevertheless depicted in a truthful and resonant way.[34] Reviews for the second series have remained positive, with Ellen E. Jones of The Independent commenting that "Peaky Blinders can now boast several more big-name actors to supplement the sterling work of Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory and Sam Neill", referring to second series additions Tom Hardy and Noah Taylor.[35] Several critics have also favourably compared the show to US drama Boardwalk Empire,[36][37] which shares the same themes and historical context. Show writer Steven Knight stated in an interview: "Do you know – and I’m not just saying this – but I've never watched them. I've never seen The Wire, I've never seen Boardwalk Empire, I’ve never seen any of them." When asked if he deliberately avoided watching these dramas, he responded: "It’s sort of deliberate in that I don’t really want to be looking at other people’s work because it does affect what you do inevitably."[38]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bradley, Michael (12 September 2013). "Birmingham's real Peaky Blinders". BBC News (West Midlands).
  2. 1 2 Hooton, Christopher (21 April 2016). "Peaky Blinders season 3 release date: BBC Two finally confirms the Shelbys’ exact return, Netflix to follow". The Independent (Independent Print Limited). Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Stubbs, David (6 September 2013). "Peaky Blinders, Britain's answer to Boardwalk Empire (Creator Steven Knight and star Cillian Murphy discuss the BBC's epic new gangster drama)". The Guardian.
  4. ↑ Bamigboye, Baz (20 September 2012). "These horribly sharp dressers star in sinister six-part BBC series". Daily Mail (UK) (U.S. Showbiz). Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  5. ↑ Whooley, Declan. "Is Nidge really joining the IRA?". JOE.ie. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  6. ↑ Sweeney, Ken (4 January 2013). "Nidge jumps the fence and joins IRA – but don't worry 'Love/Hate' fans, it's for the BBC". Irish Independent. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  7. ↑ Melrose, Kevin (17 February 2014). "Actor will appear opposite his 'Dark Knight Rises' co-star Cillian Murphy". Hitfix.
  8. ↑ Hadlow, Janice – Controller, BBC Two (25 October 2013). "Media Cenre – BBC Two announces second series of critically acclaimed drama Peaky Blinders". BBC.
  9. ↑ "Peaky Blinders recap: series two, episode two – it's not easy being Tommy Shelby". The Guardian. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "Media Centre – BBC Two announces drama series Peaky Blinders". BBC. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  11. ↑ Stephenson, Ben, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning (21 September 2012). "Media Centre – New BBC Two drama, Peaky Blinders, commences shooting". BBC. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  12. ↑ "Filming Peaky Blinders". Vintagecarriagestrust.org. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  13. ↑ "The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Trust". Lyrtrust.org.uk. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  14. ↑ "BBC News – Sam Neill plays Belfast detective in BBC gangster drama". BBC.co.uk. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  15. ↑ Hadlow, Janice – Controller, BBC Two (25 October 2013). "Media Centre – BBC Two announces second series of critically acclaimed drama Peaky Blinders". BBC. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  16. ↑ Young, Gary (2014-01-08). "TV company looking for new Peaky Blinders". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  17. ↑ Stacey, Alison (2014-01-11). "Video: Hundreds queue for Peaky Blinders auditions in Birmingham". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  18. ↑ Walker, Ellie (14 February 2014). "Peaky Blinders series 2: Tom Hardy joins the cast". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  19. ↑ Deardon, Lizzie (7 November 2014). "Peaky Blinders to return for a third series, BBC announces". The Independent. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  20. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy. "‘Peaky Blinders’ Adds Paddy Considine As Season 3 Starts Shooting - Deadline". Deadline.
  21. ↑ "And they're rolling!! Break a leg everyone! @theotherJoeCole @MousseTash @FinnCole @rundlesophie @HarryKirton @Aimeeffion @caramaka". Twitter. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "Alexander Siddig Joins PEAKY BLINDERS".
  23. ↑ Laws, Roz (3 March 2016). "Did David Bowie record music for Peaky Blinders before he died?". Birmingham Mail.
  24. ↑ Bradley, Dave. "Crime Scene magazine: Peaky Blinders, Trapped & Ripper Street". gamesradar.
  25. ↑ Spangler, Todd (24 September 2014). "Netflix Procures ‘Peaky Blinders’ Brit Drama in Exclusive Pact With Weinstein Co., Endemol". Variety. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  26. 1 2 3 "BARB Top 30s".
  27. ↑ "BBC Two - Peaky Blinders, Series 3, Episode 2". BBC Two. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  28. ↑ Renshaw, David (22 May 2014). "Peaky Blinders – box set review". The Guardian.
  29. ↑ Compton, Sarah (12 September 2013). "Peaky Blinders, BBC Two, review". The Telegraph.
  30. ↑ "'Peaky Blinders' review". Digital Spy. 2013-09-12. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  31. ↑ "Peaky Blinders episode 1 review". Den of Geek. 2013-09-12. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  32. ↑ "Review: Peaky Blinders (U.K. Blu-ray)". Cult TV Times. 2013-10-22. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  33. ↑ Watson, Keith (2013-10-17). "TV review: Peaky Blinders was a fantastic political thriller". Metro News (Metro.co.uk). Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  34. ↑ Gosling, George Campbell (2016-04-12). "On Peaky Blinders". Musings. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  35. ↑ Jones, Ellen E (3 October 2014). "Peaky Blinders, series 2, episode 1 – TV review: Second series boasts a host of big new names". The Independent.
  36. ↑ Stubbs, David (6 September 2013). "Peaky Blinders, Britain's answer to Boardwalk Empire". The Guardian.
  37. ↑ "Peaky Blinders". The Independent. 2013-08-30. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  38. ↑ "Steven Knight on Peaky Blinders, series 2, Birmingham, Cillian Murphy, working class drama, Nick Cave & more…". Den of Geek. 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2014-02-14.

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