5 things from Peaky Blinders that could have been illustrated more closely aligned to the original incidents 

Stephen Knight's British period crime drama Peaky Blinders was a critical hit and won many accolades for its intense storytelling and acting.

While the show ended with six seasons in April 2022, a feature film was confirmed that will be set in WW2. The film will see Cillian Murphy reprise his character of Thomas Shelby.

The show followed the lives of the titular criminal group in the streets of Birmingham, who lived indulging in crimes like gambling and robbery.

While many fans may already know it, BBC's show is based on the real-life Peaky Blinders gang, who were prevalent in Birmingham, and rightfully captures their essence and style in the show.

The show gets many things right, from their hats, gun stealing, horse race gambling, to actual figures like Billy Kimber and Oswald Mosley. However, it also takes some creative liberties and changes many aspects, including the character of the man himself, Thomas.

Here are 5 things that Peaky Blinders changed from the original incidents.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

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5 things Peaky Blinders changed from the actual historical events

1) The time period

While Knight's Peaky Blinders is set post World War I, i.e., in the 1920s, the real Blinders gang was active during the 1880s. The show has changed the time to ascertain some creative liberties that will come with a post-WW1 world.

The show is eerily accurate in the depiction of a post-war Birmingham, with Tommy's war flashbacks and the general pessimism in the city, the original gang operated before the war, which makes one wonder about their activities during that time. However, the creative liberty to change the time period gives the gang more historical background and material to explore with.

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2) The origin of Peaky Blinders name

Hate them or love them, but you cannot ignore the Peaky Blinders' style. With their ''tailored jackets, lapelled overcoats, buttoned waistcoats, silk scarves, bell-bottom trousers, leather boots, and flat caps,'' the show aptly captures their style and fashion.

However, one thing that was not recorded in their outfit ensemble was the razor under their cap. In the BBC show, the gang is said to have acquired their name after they used these razors to 'blind' their enemy with their own blood.

While there is no record of the gang using razors in streetfights, their name is said to have originated from their style, in particular because of their titled caps, which made them 'Peaky' Blinders.

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3) Peaky Blinders' leader was not Thomas Shelby

Cillian Murphy has always been an amazing actor, but his Thomas Shelby role gained him immense fame and made him a household name. But did you know that the Peaky Blinders were not headed by Thomas Shelby? This means that Tommy is not based on a real-life figure.

Instead, the real Blinders group was led by a powerful man named Thomas Gilbert, who regularly changed his last name. His most famous alias was Kevin Mooney, which became popular even more than his real name.

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4) The gang's connection with the IRA

IRA, the resistance group active during 1919, makes several appearances in the show's initial seasons. After the Blinders accidentally stole a shipment of guns in Season 1, Winston Churchill sent Chief Campbell to retrieve the shipment, fearing the IRA would use them.

While the IRA was involved with many Birmingham gangs back in the day, it is not possible that the Blinders were one of them because of their time period. Since the original gang operated in the 1880s, it is unlikely that they crossed paths with the IRA. But it makes sense for the makers to include this storyline, considering the show's time period.

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5) Winston Churchill

Another chronological discrepancy is Churchill's appearance in the BBC show, who would not have interacted with the actual gang because he was in office during the 1940s, during which the real gang had already disbanded.

While Churchill is a recurring character in the show, who adds to the historical depth, it would have been interesting to see some historically accurate figures interact with the gang.

Also Read: Peaky Blinders filming locations

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