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


Peaky Blinders: The Real Story features interviews with individuals behind the program, including creator Steven Knight discussing the Birmingham household folklore that influenced it.


"My mommy was a bookie's runner. Gambling was illegal at the time, she was 8 years of ages and she would walk down the street with a basket of washing and people would drop bets into the basket," Knight stated.


The documentary, which launched on streaming websites this week, has been made by filmmaker Robin Bextor, who stated he set out to different fact from fiction.


"The initially reported reference of Peaky Blinders that took place at all remained in 1890, whereas the Peaky Blinders we see on screen don't start up until after the First World War," he informed BBC Radio WM.


"The real Peaky Blinders had finished before the series begins".


The documentary likewise 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 wanted the show to be "based upon a series of Western movies that he loved".


"I brought a kind of Americana to it. I was constantly drawn to that aesthetic, the lawlessness of it," Montgomery told the 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 tribute to Peaky Blinders' Brummie roots, and the "unmatched" skill of its developer, Knight.


"It's not a mishap that he's ending up being the king of drama now. He's been asked to compose the brand-new Bond film, he's got two new series running on TV, he's got the Peaky Blinders film ... and he was asked to compose Star Wars.


"I imply, this guy is a . Plus of course, what Peaky Blinders offered us was 6 series of a fantastic performance by Cillian Murphy."


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