The exploits of Tommy Shelby and his sharply dressed gang have captivated audiences around the world, turning Peaky Blinders into a cultural phenomenon that extends far beyond the small screen. The long awaited Peaky Blinders movie arrives later this year, so what better time to discover some stone cold facts about the Peaky Blinders.
From influencing modern fashion to an unexpected connection to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, the series has embedded itself into pop culture in unexpected ways. To celebrate the release of Peaky Blinders: The Real Story on Digital here are some blindsiding facts that reveal the truth, and the myth, behind the Peaky Blinders.
The Shelbys Were Once the Sheldons
Before the Shelby name became synonymous with razor-sharp suits and ruthless ambition, the real-life criminal family that inspired the drama were known as the Sheldons. Series creator Steven Knight has spoken about his personal connection to that world: his mother told him stories of her childhood working as a bookies’ runner, while his father recounted family links to the notorious Sheldon clan. Those tales of street-level gambling, gang rivalries, and working-class survival would eventually form the backbone of Knight’s now-iconic saga.
Before Peaky Blinders, There Was a Quiz Show
Long before he introduced audiences to Tommy Shelby’s steely stare, Steven Knight had already reshaped British television. In 1998, he co-created the global phenomenon Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, a high-stakes quiz show that became one of the most successful formats in TV history. Its worldwide success gave Knight the creative freedom to pursue more personal projects, including a gritty period crime drama set in Birmingham. The rest, as they say, is history.
Famous Fans in High Places
Cillian Murphy’s magnetic performance as Tommy Shelby has drawn comparisons to rock legends, he’s been described as the “David Bowie or Iggy Pop of TV drama.” Fittingly, Bowie himself was an admirer of the series and personally requested that his music be featured in the show. The fan club didn’t stop there: music icons Leonard Cohen and Snoop Dogg have also expressed their love for the Shelby saga, proving its reach stretches far beyond period drama enthusiasts.
Peaky Blinders… or the Bell Bottom Crew?
Before the gang became immortalised as the Peaky Blinders, they were reportedly known as the “Bell Bottom Crew,” named for their flamboyantly wide flared trousers. It’s a far cry from the tailored three-piece suits and sleek silhouettes made famous by Cillian Murphy and company, but it speaks to the evolving mythology surrounding the gang.
Bowler Hats Inspired the Name
While the baker boy cap has become a defining symbol of the series (and sparked fashion trends worldwide), the original gang members were said to favour bowler hats. They would shape them into a funnel form and tilt the brim over one eye, the “peak” effectively blinding their vision and, according to some accounts, giving rise to the name “Peaky Blinders.”
The Haircut Had a Purpose
That now-famous undercut wasn’t just a stylistic flourish. The cropped sides made it harder for rivals, or police, to grab hold during a fight, and it also exposed the scars and wounds earned in street battles. What has since become a global grooming trend began as a practical choice in the brutal gang culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Alfie Solomons Was Real — Sort Of
In the series, Tom Hardy steals scenes as the volatile, scene-chewing Alfie Solomons. In reality, the man who inspired the character was Alfie Solomon, notably without the “s.” A secular Jew from North London, he was allied with British-Italian mobster Darby Sabini, rather than locked in bitter rivalry as depicted on screen. As with much of Peaky Blinders, fact and fiction intertwine to dramatic effect.
These are just a handful of the fascinating truths and half-truths explored in Robin Bextor’s new documentary, Peaky Blinders: The Real Story, arriving on UK digital 23 February from Reel2Reel Films
