Is Peaky Blinders based on a true story?

Peaky Blinders Season 6 just released on Netflix, and fans quickly devoured the complete series finale. The period drama is known to blend the fictional narrative with actual history seamlessly, making it an entertaining watch.

The show has given us numerous depictions of historical figures such as Winston Churchill, Oswald Mosley, Diana, and others. This has made us question if the Peaky Blinders were real too, and in case they were, if they still exist.

If this question has been bugging you for six seasons now, you’ve arrived at the right place. You can end your search for answers as I will serve them to you on a platter. Let’s dive in.

Yes, the Peaky Blinders are real. They were a notorious gang that emerged in the late nineteenth century from North Birmingham and was known for its violence and brutality.

Most gangs back in the day were created due to poverty, unemployment, and lack of respect from the elitist circles. With the Peaky Blinders, it was no different. What began as a way to raise their voices against oppression turned into conducting full-fledged illegal operations.

Some of the gang members included Stephen McHickie, Thomas Gilbert, Henry Fowles, Charles Lambourne, and many others. While we don’t know if they actually wore caps attached with blades, they sure did have a distinctive style in numerous ways.

They wore leather boots, waistcoats, tailored jackets, and silk scarves with a peaked flat cap. The main idea behind this stylish attire which even extended to their families, was a showcase of wealth, luxury, and most importantly, power.

Despite being so visible and identifiable by the police, no one could touch the Peaky Blinders. This was because of the power they had acquired over the years.

The Peaky Blinders began as one of the many gangs trying to control areas but soon became the singular entity of illegal operations in Birmingham. They started as a gang that indulged in land grabs but soon expanded into smuggling, robbery, protection rackets, fraud, hijacking, and more. 

I know what you’re wondering—what did the police do? Well, like any other system, even the police system wasn’t perfect, and corruption always had a way of creeping in. The Peaky Blinders could get away with most things due to bribery.

But as we’ve seen throughout history, it doesn’t last long. So the question is whether the Peaky Blinders defied this rule, and do they still exist?

Peaky Blinders do not exist anymore. They operated between the late nineteenth and early twentieth century for about 20 years. Billy Kimber and his gang defeated them and then took over Birmingham.

We know Billy Kimber from Peaky Blinders Season 1. He is the man who operates bets and bookie businesses for the race course. Although Thomas defeated him in a battle of arms in the show, in real life, the Peaky Blinders lost to him and his men.

However, even Billy Kimber was later on defeated by Sabini in the 1930s, who then continued the legacy of crime, blood, and brutality. While all these fictional characters did exist, I’m sure you want to know who the real Shelby family is.

Was there a real Shelby family?

No, there was no real Thomas Shelby and no Shelby family. As you saw the names of a few gang members earlier, you must have realized that none of them were Shelbys. The entire arc of Tommy and his family-run company is fictional.

However, not all the locations and places they frequently visit within the show are fictional. One of the best examples of this is the Garrison Pub.

Is there a real Garrison Pub in Birmingham?

Yes, there was a real Garrison Pub, located on Garrison Lane, in the Small Heath area, near the St. Andrews football stadium. In the show, the Peaky Blinders frequently visit this place, and it is even their business center, where they hold meetings. In reality, we don’t know if they conducted meetings here, but we do know that it was the Peaky Blinders’ favorite place to drink and hang out.

All the seasons of Peaky Blinders are streaming on Netflix currently. Go watch now!

About Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders is a British period crime drama television series created by Steven Knight. Set in Birmingham, England, the series follows the exploits of the Shelby crime family and their leader Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) in the direct aftermath of the First World War.

The fictional family is loosely based on a real urban youth gang of the same name, active in the city from the 1890s to the early 20th century. It stars Cillian Murphy, Sam Claflin, Aidan Gillen, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Finn Cole, and Tom Hardy

Netflix, under a deal with Weinstein Company and Endemol, acquired the rights to release the show in the United States and around the world. In January 2021, it was announced that the sixth series would be the last, followed by a spin-off film. The final series was broadcast in 2022.