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 new has lifted the lid on the making of Peaky Blinders, and the "mythology" at the heart of the story.


Peaky Blinders: The Real Story functions interviews with the people behind the show, consisting of developer Steven Knight talking about the Birmingham family folklore that motivated it.


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


The documentary, which launched on streaming sites this week, has actually been made by filmmaker Robin Bextor, who stated he set out to separate reality from fiction.


"The first reported mention of Peaky Blinders that happened at all remained in 1890, whereas the Peaky Blinders we see on screen do not start till after the First World War," he informed BBC Radio WM.


"The genuine Peaky Blinders had actually finished before the series starts".


The documentary likewise checks out the production techniques of the six BBC series of Peaky Blinders, including its usage of modern-day rock music alongside folk and blues.


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


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


It comes weeks before the release of a brand-new Netflix film, the Immortal 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 said his film was a tribute to Peaky Blinders' Brummie roots, and the "unmatched" skill of its developer, Knight.


"It's not an accident that he's becoming the king of drama now. He's been asked to write the new Bond motion picture, he's got 2 brand-new series operating on TV, he's got the Peaky Blinders film ... and he was asked to write Star Wars.


"I indicate, this guy is a huge achiever. Plus of course, what Peaky Blinders provided us was 6 series of a fantastic performance by Cillian Murphy."


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