“Crime pays well. Business pays better.”
Brummie gangsters have never sounded so interesting — until now. TV series Peaky Blinders is running riot on mixing true stories and fiction in this British gangster epic.
The Peaky Blinders ran half of Birmingham in 1919 through sheer terror of the razor blades in their caps. They made money from illegal bookmaking, protection and the black market, as well as having the police in their back pockets. Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) leads the gang through family feuds and fights with gypsies, only to discover his stolen stash of guns is being hunted by Belfast-bred Chief Inspector Major Chester Campbell (Sam Neill). With the inspector comes Grace Burgess (Annabelle Wallis), an Irish spy who tries to worm her way in with Thomas.
Add Communist revolutionaries and the IRA Fenians and there’s eyes everywhere. But somehow the guns evade them. To keep Thomas in order is Aunt Polly (Helen McCrory), the matriarch of the family, and — as she likes to remind the boys — the one who ‘ran the business while they were at war’.
With the help of his brother’s PTSD-suffering Arthur (Paul Anderson) and John (Joe Cole), Tommy begins fixing horse races and tries to legitimise their business with a betting license. An intense, action packed series begging to be watched.
So…after that rambling, why should you watch it?
1 — It’s pretty amazing. The Daily Mail called it “unmissable” and “Britain’s best drama” by the Independent. If you want something with clever scripts, high octane action and a great soundtrack, then this is for you.
2 — There’s an all-star cast. Cillian Murphy from Inception and the Dark Knight Trilogy with Sam Neill from Jurassic Park and Helen McCrory from Skyfall lead some of the most brilliant British actors in TV right now.
3 — Lots goes into each episode. Between £1m to £1.5m per episode, you will see some of the best set designs, costumes and abundant resources.
4 — Hollywood loves it. Steven Spielberg and Brad Pitt to Snoop Dog, celebs love Peaky Blinders as much as I do.
5 — More is yet to come, so binge-watch away. Series four is in the works and series five is already planned. I’m up for it.
Rip-roaring and captivating, Peaky Blinders in one of the best British Drama’s out right now that is a detailed piece of art. But you’ll only find out if you watch.
