9 Shows & Movies Like Peaky Blinders (2013)

Description: The Sopranos, like Peaky Blinders, is a crime drama centered around a complex, morally ambiguous protagonist (Tony Soprano and Thomas Shelby). Both shows explore themes of family loyalty, power struggles, and the psychological toll of criminal life. They blend intense violence with deep character studies and feature distinctive regional settings (New Jersey and Birmingham).

Fact: The Sopranos is often credited with launching the 'Golden Age of Television.' James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano) would often deliberately flub his lines to make scenes feel more authentic. The famous final scene's abrupt cut to black lasted 10 seconds of silence, sparking endless debate about its meaning.

Description: Boardwalk Empire shares similarities with Peaky Blinders in its portrayal of organized crime during a historical period (Prohibition-era America vs. post-WWI Birmingham). Both shows feature charismatic antiheroes (Nucky Thompson and Thomas Shelby) navigating the criminal underworld while dealing with political and personal conflicts. The series also emphasizes period-accurate costumes and settings, along with a gritty, violent tone.

Fact: Boardwalk Empire was created by Terence Winter, who also worked on The Sopranos. The show won 20 Primetime Emmy Awards during its run. Steve Buscemi, who plays Nucky Thompson, was 53 when cast, much older than the real-life Nucky Johnson was during the Prohibition era.

Description: Vikings shares with Peaky Blinders a focus on warrior culture, family dynasties, and the violent acquisition of power. Both Ragnar Lothbrok and Thomas Shelby are visionary leaders who rise from humble beginnings through intelligence and ruthlessness. The shows similarly blend historical events with dramatic storytelling, and both feature striking cinematography that emphasizes their respective environments (the Nordic landscape and industrial Birmingham).

Fact: Travis Fimmel (Ragnar) was a successful Calvin Klein model before acting. The show's creator Michael Hirst also wrote the film Elizabeth and its sequel. Many scenes were filmed at the same Irish locations used in Game of Thrones.

Description: Penny Dreadful shares with Peaky Blinders a Gothic atmosphere and Victorian-era London setting (though slightly earlier period). Both shows feature morally complex characters, supernatural elements (more pronounced in Penny Dreadful), and a dark, stylish visual aesthetic. Like Thomas Shelby, protagonist Vanessa Ives is a tormented but powerful figure with a mysterious past.

Fact: The title refers to cheap 19th century British fiction magazines. Eva Green's performance was widely praised, earning her a Saturn Award. The show features characters from classic literature like Dracula and Frankenstein.

Description: Taboo shares with Peaky Blinders a dark, brooding atmosphere and a protagonist (James Delaney) with similarities to Thomas Shelby - mysterious, ruthless, and haunted by his past. Both are period pieces (early 1800s London vs. post-WWI England) featuring complex conspiracies, family drama, and a protagonist navigating between criminal and legitimate worlds. The shows also share a similarly moody, atmospheric visual style.

Fact: Tom Hardy co-created the show and plays the lead role. Hardy based Delaney's distinctive voice on a mix of Victorian actor Edmund Kean and his own father. The show was originally conceived by Hardy and his father Chips Hardy in the 1980s.

Description: While set in a much earlier historical period (9th century England), The Last Kingdom shares with Peaky Blinders a focus on a charismatic, conflicted protagonist (Uhtred) navigating between different cultures and loyalties. Both shows feature intense battle sequences, political intrigue, and explore themes of identity and belonging. The production values in both are high, with attention to historical detail in costumes and settings.

Fact: Based on Bernard Cornwell's The Saxon Stories novels. The main character Uhtred is based on a real historical figure, Uhtred the Bold. The show was originally a BBC production before moving to Netflix.

Description: The Alienist shares with Peaky Blinders a dark, atmospheric depiction of a historical period (1890s New York). Both shows feature criminal investigations intertwined with social commentary about their eras. The visual style in both is moody and stylized, with attention to period detail. Like Thomas Shelby, protagonist Laszlo Kreizler is an intense, unconventional figure operating outside societal norms.

Fact: Based on Caleb Carr's bestselling 1994 novel. The title refers to an early term for psychiatrists. Production built over 200 sets to recreate 1890s New York.

Description: Warrior, like Peaky Blinders, is a period crime drama featuring violent gang conflicts (in 1870s San Francisco's Chinatown). Both shows explore themes of immigrant communities, racial tensions, and the struggle for power in a hostile environment. The protagonist Ah Sahm shares Thomas Shelby's combination of fighting skills and strategic intelligence, and both shows blend historical context with pulpy action.

Fact: The show is based on writings by Bruce Lee, developed by his daughter Shannon Lee. It was originally pitched by Bruce Lee in 1971 but rejected by studios. The fight choreography combines traditional kung fu with more brutal, street-fighting styles.

Description: Gangs of London mirrors Peaky Blinders in its depiction of organized crime families vying for power, though set in contemporary London. Both shows feature brutal violence, complex family dynamics, and a focus on the economic aspects of criminal enterprises. The cinematography in both is stylish and atmospheric, with Gangs of London particularly known for its elaborate action sequences.

Fact: The show was co-created by Gareth Evans, known for The Raid action films. It features one of the most expensive TV fight scenes ever filmed (the pub battle in episode 5). The series was originally planned as a trilogy of films before becoming a TV show.