Peaky Blinders may have concluded with Cillian Murphy's final appearance as Tommy Shelby, but a sequel is in development. Netflix has confirmed a two-series show about the next generation is in the works, set in the 1950s and centred on Tommy's sons, Duke (Jamie Bell) and Charles (Charlie Heaton of Stranger Things). Creator Steven Knight teased: "The new generation of Shelbys have taken the wheel, and it will be a hell of a ride."
In the meantime, several crime dramas come highly recommended by Peaky Blinders viewers, and one might even be better.
Boardwalk Empire
Boardwalk Empire, HBO's gritty Prohibition-era drama, is a critically acclaimed programme set around the same time as Peaky Blinders. The show begins on the date alcohol became illegal in 1920 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Steve Buscemi portrays "Nucky" Thompson, a corrupt high-ranking politician who is also the city's most prominent bootlegger.
The cast includes the late Michael K. Williams (The Wire, Lovecraft Country) and Stephen Graham as Al Capone, with Martin Scorsese directing the very first episode. One fan explained: "Peaky Blinders has some great scenes - and Cillian Murphy is a captivating leading man. And this might sound like blasphemy on a Peaky Blinders subreddit, but I think Boardwalk Empire is easily the better show overall."
"B. Empire also had a lot of exceptional actors (e.g., Buscemi, Michael Shannon, Jeffrey Wright, Stephen Graham etc.) and really satisfying story arcs in most seasons. Excellent cinematography and music, too." Boardwalk Empire requires an HBO Max subscription starting from £7.99 a month.
MobLand
MobLand, a British drama currently in its second series, follows a crime family led by Conrad Harrigan (Pierce Brosnan). Peaky Blinders alumnus Tom Hardy portrays Harry Da Souza, the family's fixer. The first series centres on a brutal conflict between the Harrigans and their rivals, the Stevensons, as Harry works to prevent an all-out gang war while keeping the Harrigans out of the police's sights.
"If you like Peaky Blinders, I think you should try MobLand," wrote a fan of both shows. "It's set in modern day but other than that the tone, the intrigue, the scheming, the brutality, all of them remind me very much of what I love about Peaky Blinders."
"Plus it's got Alfie in it (Tom Hardy technically) which is always a very good bonus. And without spoiling any plot points there is a very Polly-like character played by Helen Mirren. Anyway give it a try and see what you think!" MobLand is streaming on Paramount+, where plans start from £5.99 a month.
