Peaky Blinders 'a Western In The West Midlands'

24 February 2026
ShareSave


Ed James, BBC Radio WMand


Tim Page, West Midlands


A new documentary has actually raised the cover 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, including developer Steven Knight discussing the Birmingham family folklore that influenced it.


"My mama was a bookmaker's runner. Gambling was unlawful at the time, she was eight years old and she would stroll down the street with a basket of washing and individuals would drop bets into the basket," Knight said.


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


"The initially reported mention of Peaky Blinders that took place at all remained in 1890, whereas the Peaky Blinders we see on screen do not start until after the First World War," he told BBC Radio WM.


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


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


designer Grant Montgomery wanted the show to be "based upon a series of Western movies that he loved".


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


It comes weeks before the release of a 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 stated his movie 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 write the brand-new Bond movie, he's got 2 brand-new series working on TV, he's got the Peaky Blinders film ... and he was asked to compose Star Wars.


"I suggest, this guy is a substantial achiever. Plus of course, what Peaky Blinders provided us was 6 series of a dazzling efficiency by Cillian Murphy."


Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.