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


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


"My mother was a bookmaker's runner. Gambling was unlawful at the time, she was eight years of ages and she would stroll down the street with a basket of cleaning and people would drop bets into the basket," Knight said.


The documentary, which introduced on streaming websites today, has been made by filmmaker Robin Bextor, who stated he set out to different truth from fiction.


"The initially reported reference of Peaky Blinders that occurred at all remained in 1890, whereas the Peaky Blinders we see on screen do not begin up until after the First World War," he informed BBC Radio WM.


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


The documentary also explores the production methods of the 6 BBC series of Peaky Blinders, including its use of modern-day rock music together with folk and blues.


Bextor said designer Grant Montgomery desired 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 aesthetic, the lawlessness of it," 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 two more BBC series heading through to the 1950s.


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


"It's not a mishap that he's becoming the king of drama now. He's been asked to compose the new Bond film, he's got 2 new series running on TV, he's got the Peaky Blinders film ... and he was asked to write Star Wars.


"I suggest, this guy is a big achiever. Plus naturally, what Peaky Blinders provided us was 6 series of a brilliant performance by Cillian Murphy."


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