Peaky Blinders – Full Plot Summary
Peaky Blinders is a British crime drama television series created by Steven Knight, set in post-World War I Birmingham, England. The series follows the rise of the Shelby family, a powerful gang led by the cunning and ambitious Thomas Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy), as they navigate a brutal underworld of crime, politics, and power.
Season 1: The Rise of the Shelby Empire
The story begins in 1919, just after World War I, with the Peaky Blinders gang—named for the razor blades sewn into their caps—running betting operations and other illicit businesses in Birmingham. Tommy Shelby, a decorated war hero, is the mastermind behind the gang’s expansion. When a crate of stolen military weapons goes missing, it brings him into conflict with Inspector Chester Campbell (Sam Neill), who is sent from Belfast by Winston Churchill to clean up the city.
Tommy’s ambitions stretch far beyond Birmingham. He sets his sights on legalizing the family’s business empire while neutralizing enemies from both law enforcement and rival gangs. His relationship with Grace Burgess, an undercover agent working for Campbell, adds emotional complexity to his otherwise ruthless persona.
Seasons 2–3: Expanding Power and Deepening Conflicts
In the following seasons, the Shelbys expand their operations to London, clashing with Italian and Jewish criminal organizations. Tommy becomes entangled with aristocrats, revolutionaries, and the British Secret Service. Despite his criminal activities, he’s drawn deeper into legitimate business and even politics.
Family tensions grow as alliances are tested, and betrayal becomes a recurring theme. Tommy’s inner circle includes his brothers Arthur and John Shelby, his clever aunt Polly Gray, and other loyal members who face increasingly violent and morally complex decisions.
Seasons 4: War with the Mafia and Political Turmoil
Season 4 introduces Luca Changretta, a Sicilian-American mobster seeking vengeance against the Shelbys for past betrayals. The gang fights for survival in one of their most dangerous rivalries yet. As the family narrowly escapes extinction, Tommy enters the political realm by becoming a Member of Parliament, using his new role to protect and further his criminal empire.
However, as fascism rises in Europe, Tommy faces internal and external threats, including Oswald Mosley, the leader of the British Union of Fascists. The final episodes reveal a man haunted by trauma, guilt, and the cost of power.
Themes and Legacy
Peaky Blinders is not just a gangster story—it’s a tale of post-war trauma, class struggle, ambition, and transformation. Visually stunning with a gritty tone and modern soundtrack, the series has gained a cult following worldwide. Tommy Shelby’s journey from street gang leader to political power broker is both epic and tragic.
