Peaky Blinders 'a Western In The West Midlands'

24 February 2026
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Ed James, BBC Radio WMand


Tim Page, West Midlands


A brand-new documentary has lifted the lid on the making of Peaky Blinders, and the "folklore" at the heart of the story.


Peaky Blinders: The Real Story features interviews with individuals behind the show, including creator Steven Knight talking about the Birmingham household folklore that inspired it.


"My mama was a bookie's runner. Gambling was unlawful at the time, she was 8 years old and she would walk down the street with a basket of washing and individuals would drop bets into the basket," Knight stated.


The documentary, which launched on streaming websites today, has actually been made by filmmaker Robin Bextor, who stated he set out to separate fact from fiction.


"The first reported mention of Peaky Blinders that occurred at all remained in 1890, whereas the Peaky Blinders we see on screen don't begin until after the First World War," he informed BBC Radio WM.


"The real Peaky Blinders had actually completed before the series starts".


The documentary likewise checks out the production methods of the six BBC series of Peaky Blinders, including its use of modern-day rock music together with folk and blues.


Bextor stated designer Grant Montgomery wanted the program to be "based on a series of Western movies that he enjoyed".


"I brought a kind of Americana to it. I was constantly drawn to that visual, the lawlessness of it," Montgomery told the brand-new production.


It comes weeks before the release of a brand-new Netflix movie, the Man, continuing the story of the Shelbys into World War Two. This will be followed by 2 more BBC series heading through to the 1950s.


Bextor stated his film was a homage to Peaky Blinders' Brummie roots, and the "unparalleled" skill of its developer, Knight.


"It's not a mishap that he's ending up being the king of drama now. He's been asked to compose the new Bond film, he's got 2 brand-new series operating on TV, he's got the Peaky Blinders movie ... and he was asked to compose Star Wars.


"I suggest, this guy is a substantial achiever. Plus naturally, what Peaky Blinders offered us was six series of a brilliant efficiency by Cillian Murphy."


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