Is Peaky Blinders Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Apr 11, 2023
Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders is a British period crime drama TV series created by Steven Knight. The show is set in Birmingham, England, and follows the exploits of the Peaky Blinders crime gang in the aftermath of the First World War. The series is loosely based on a real urban youth gang of the same name that was active in the city from the 1880s to the 1910s. The series stars an ensemble cast led by Cillian Murphy, who plays the role of Tommy Shelby, the leader of the Peaky Blinders. Other key cast members include Helen McCrory as Elizabeth "Polly" Gray, Paul Anderson as Arthur Shelby, Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby, and Joe Cole as John Shelby, the senior members of the gang. The show also features Sam Neill, Annabelle Wallis, Iddo Goldberg, Tom Hardy, Charlotte Riley, Finn Cole, Natasha O'Keeffe, Paddy Considine, Adrien Brody, Aidan Gillen, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sam Claflin, Amber Anderson, James Frecheville, and Stephen Graham in supporting roles.
Peaky Blinders premiered on 12 September 2013 on BBC Two, with repeats on BBC Four, until the fourth series. From the fifth series, it moved to BBC One. The show has received critical acclaim for its cinematography, acting performances, and period detail, and has won several awards, including the BAFTA for Best Drama Series in 2018. Netflix acquired the rights to release Peaky Blinders in the United States and around the world under a deal with the Weinstein Company and Endemol. In January 2021, it was announced that the sixth series would be the last, followed by a spin-off film. The final series aired in 2022, and the film is currently in development.
Is Peaky Blinders Based on a True Story?
Peaky Blinders is based on a true story, as it portrays the exploits of the notorious Peaky Blinders gang that operated in late 19th-century England. However, while the Shelby family who the show revolves around are fictional characters, the gang itself was real. Although Peaky Blinders were prominent during the 1890s, the series is set in the 1920s and heavily fictionalized for dramatic effect. Moreover, the gang never attained the same level of political power that is depicted in the show, and they were eventually eclipsed by their rivals, The Birmingham Boys, in the 1910s.
The distinct style of the real-life Peaky Blinders, who were working-class gentlemen, contrasted with what they were expected to wear. It's worth noting that the true Peaky Blinders was not a single family of outlaws but rather a collection of gangs. Members like Thomas Gilbert were affiliated with specific crews, and the name "Peaky Blinders" gained prominence within Birmingham's criminal culture as a result. Unlike the gangsters in The Sopranos or The Godfather, the Peaky Blinders were a crime family based on association rather than blood ties or a unified code of "omertà."As time went on, the real Peaky Blinders began referring to themselves as "sloggers" - a term that arose from the poverty, squalor, and slum environment in which they lived. During the early 20th century, these youths continued to maintain the same criminal lifestyle and appearance, albeit more out of necessity than a grand ambition to attain power within Birmingham. However, with the rise of sports, movies, and other activities that kept young men busy, the real Peaky Blinders slowly faded away. Some found it easier to make a living without resorting to low-level crime, marking the end of an era. This is where the BBC/Netflix original series Peaky Blinders picks up the story.
Who is Mosley in Peaky Blinders Based on?
The true story behind the character Oswald Mosley in the TV show Peaky Blinders. Mosley was a British politician who started out as a Labour member before switching to the Conservative Party and then forming his own far-right party. He was known for his charisma and speaking abilities and attracted both supporters and opponents.
Sir Oswald Mosley was a British politician who was born on November 16, 1896, in London, England. He began his political career as a Conservative Party Member of Parliament in 1918 before joining the Labour Party in 1924. Mosley quickly rose through the ranks of the Labour Party and became a prominent figure within the party. However, he left the party in 1931 and went on to form the New Party, which later evolved into the British Union of Fascists. Mosley was known for his charisma and his ability to captivate audiences with his speeches. He attracted both supporters and opponents due to his controversial views and political stances. He was a vocal critic of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, and he believed that the economic depression of the 1930s could only be solved through the adoption of fascist policies.
In the 1930s, Mosley became increasingly involved in far-right politics and began promoting anti-Semitic and fascist ideologies. He admired Adolf Hitler and Mussolini, and his British Union of Fascists adopted some of their policies, such as wearing black shirts and organizing marches and rallies. During World War II, Mosley was interned along with other prominent members of the British Union of Fascists. After the war, he continued to promote far-right ideologies and founded the Union Movement in 1948. However, he never regained the level of support that he had enjoyed in the 1930s. Overall, Mosley's political career was marked by controversy, and he remains a divisive figure in British political history. While some see him as a charismatic leader who was ahead of his time, others view him as a dangerous extremist who promoted hate and division.
Peaky Blinders Ending Explained
The final episode of Peaky Blinders starts with Lizzie leaving Tommy because of his affair with Milton and taking their son with her. Tommy then demolishes the mansion they lived in to build homes for the working class. The episode proceeds with Duke assigned to kill Billy Grade and Arthur fighting against the IRA, ultimately avenging Polly’s death by killing McKee. Meanwhile, Tommy travels to French Newfoundland to finalize an opium deal with Michael and some of Nelson's thugs. A bomb is planted in Tommy's car, but it explodes Nelson's gang instead because Tommy switched the cars. Tommy shoots Michael in the eye and meets with Solomons, who will take over the Boston opium trade from Nelson.
Tommy bids farewell to his family and retreats to a Gypsy caravan. A month later, he contemplates suicide when Ruby's ghost visits him. She urges him to reignite the fire within him and keep living. Tommy picks up a newspaper to use as kindling and sees a photo of Mosley's wedding in Berlin, where he recognizes both Dr. Holford and the second doctor who gave him a false diagnosis. Upon confronting Dr. Holford and discovering his false diagnosis, Tommy spares Holford's life after a bell rings out and reminds him of the end of World War I. However, upon returning to his caravan, Tommy finds it has been set on fire by Holford's man. This tragedy gives him a renewed sense of purpose, and he mounts his horse and rides away. It is believed that the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie will center around Shelby's efforts to thwart the Mosleys. The film is slated to start production in 2023.
Is Peaky Blinders Based on a True Story - FAQs
Peaky Blinders is a British crime drama television series that premiered in 2013. It is set in Birmingham, England in the aftermath of World War I and follows the exploits of the Shelby crime family, led by Tommy Shelby, as they navigate their way through the criminal underworld.
The show stars Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, the leader of the Peaky Blinders gang. Other cast members include Helen McCrory as Aunt Polly, Paul Anderson as Arthur Shelby, Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby, and Finn Cole as Michael Gray.
While the Peaky Blinders gang was a real group, the show is not strictly based on their exploits. The creators of the show have taken some inspiration from the history of the gang, but have also taken creative liberties to create a fictionalized version of events.
Peaky Blinders is available to stream on Netflix in many countries. It is also available on BBC iPlayer in the UK.