If you miss the gritty glam of Birmingham, these 9 shows like Peaky Blinders might just fix that

TV Shows similar to Peaky Blinders | Images via Netflix, Hotstar and Prime Video
TV Shows similar to Peaky Blinders | Images via Netflix, Hotstar and Prime Video

Peaky Blinders left fans longing for the gritty, stylish atmosphere of 1920s Birmingham. Its magnetic storytelling, compelling characters, and elegant fashion captivated viewers. If you’re drawn to tales of crime, power struggles, and intense drama, there are other shows that offer similar thrills. Several intriguing shows now present exciting narratives and distinctive personalities within Italian secret plots and San Francisco gang skirmishes that simulate the Peaky Blinders atmosphere through biker gangs, detective work, and pirate conflict

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. It is recommended that readers use discretion.


The list of 9 shows like Peaky Blinders, if you miss the gritty glam of Birmingham, is provided below:

9. Taboo (2017)

Taboo (2017) | Image via Prime Video
Taboo (2017) | Image via Prime Video

Taboo is one of the best historical drama depictions of the dark side of Peaky Blinders through its 2017 FX television series origin. Originally aired by FX, this historical drama appeals to fans of Peaky Blinders for its dark tone and intense performances.

The television show originated from the creative mind of Steven Knight, who selected Tom Hardy to play the main role after noticing his portrayal of Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders. Londoner James Delaney has spent twelve lengthy years in Africa before his arrival in the city in 1814. The East India Company becomes his chief adversary due to his land ownership.

This TV show delivers historical visuals consisting of thrilling elements. The romantic story between Delaney and his half-sister Zilpha becomes evident through their relationship developed by the acting of Oona Chaplin, who played Zilpha. The show's producers remain occupied, and a possible new season in 2021 did not materialize. It instantly captivates fans. Taboo delivers an engrossing blend of secrets, prolonged fights, and historical substances that make viewers lose track of time.


8. Warrior (2019)

Warrior (2019) | Image via Netflix
Warrior (2019) | Image via Netflix

On April 5, 2019, the American martial arts criminal drama television series Warrior made its Cinemax premiere. It is predicated on Bruce Lee's unique idea and approach. Andrew Koji plays Ah Sahm. The character is a skilled Chinese tong assassin who engages in risky gang warfare. Andrew Koji delivers a physically intense performance, using martial arts to brutal effect throughout the show because he combats his opponents using elbow bends, ankle snaps, and windpipe collapses.

Before Peaky Blinders, the story takes place in 19th-century San Francisco, which shows how Chinese gangs fought to dominate the illegal trades in this expanding and uncontrolled city. Irish migrants in San Francisco attempt to force the Chinese population out, and police officers aggravate the tense situation through their existing racial prejudice.

Bruce Lee's writings are consistent with this series, which showcases his style through Koji's strong acting. The series symbolizes martial arts methods and inner strength. This amazing show is authentic and very exhilarating.


7. The Borgias (2011)

The Borgias (2011) | Image via Paramount+
The Borgias (2011) | Image via Paramount+

On April 3, 2011, The Borgias was released. It is a historical drama that traces the Borgia family's history throughout the Italian Renaissance. Pope Alexander VI takes power as Rodrigo Borgia and leads his family through every means possible to maintain control. They stop at deceptive behavior, payoffs, and murdering their desired objectives. The show displays interactions between Borgia family members through their joint operations and their clashes with each other.

This series presents themes related to ambition, family obligations, and how individuals choose to cheat in pursuit of success, just like Peaky Blinders does. The story comprises concealed religious sanctuary conspiracies, which were shot in a shadowy cathedral, and the execution of organized assaults.

The stylish atmosphere of The Borgias comes from its elaborate costumes, slow-motion battles, and political intrigue with shifting alliances, adding excitement to the plot. This TV series pleasingly affects its audiences while building an enduring desire for more content.


6. Black Sails (2014)

Black Sails (2014) | Image via Just Watch
Black Sails (2014) | Image via Just Watch

Black Sails entered broadcast on January 25th of 2014 by recreating the dramatic themes of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island into a realistic early version of the story. During the early 18th century, New Providence Island follows the story of Captain Flint and his crew who struggle with British Empire competition to survive and acquire riches while defending against rival pirates. Pirates are shown as strategically using violence rather than romantically.

Similar to Peaky Blinders, Black Sails is also based on power fights, ambiguous main characters, and intense brotherly affection inside illegitimate outlaw gangs. Violent street combats based in taverns or beachfront sites replicate the confrontation type found within Peaky Blinders. Flint’s internal torment and long-game tactics parallel Tommy Shelby’s psychological depth and leadership style.

The pirate scenes in Peaky Blinders depict the tense environment of the criminal underworld in Birmingham since the friendships are fleeting, and survival requires cunning deception and cold-blooded reasoning.


5. Sons of Anarchy (2008)

Sons of Anarchy (2008) | Image via Hotstar
Sons of Anarchy (2008) | Image via Hotstar

Son of Anarchy tells the story of a multi-generational outlaw group that endures in a changing world while keeping its ground. The story chronicles a California biker club that shares traits with the Peaky Blinders, but it unfolds in a different geographical and historical context. Jax Teller (played by Charlie Hunnam) resembles Tommy Shelby due to his personality traits of quiet toughness and his commitment to family above all else, despite causing discomfort to others.

The show completed production in 2014, exactly twelve months after Peaky Blinders premiered, while manifesting all principles of its visual approach into subsequent television series. The audience can see this relationship through both characters' behavioral patterns, gang interactions with other groups, and distinctive clothing choices (biker vests versus flat caps).

The two shows share one actor through their common appearance of Tommy Flanagan, who brings memorable roles to them. The remarkable show presents viewers with pure, unfiltered emotions while simultaneously showing unending commitment among characters.


4. True Detective (2014)

True Detective (2014) | Image via Prime Video
True Detective (2014) | Image via Prime Video

True Detective premiered on television screens on January 12, 2014. This anthology crime drama presents a complex, long-standing mystery. Detectives Rust Cohle and Marty Hart of the Louisiana investigation a ritualistic serial killer during seventeen long years as their initial season unfolds. The plot illustrates how investigators deal with personal traumas and emotional wounds through a variety of timelines.

The story pattern of Peaky Blinders shares similarities with the program because it features main characters who battle internal tensions and combat a harmful environment. Rust Cohle conducts his thoughtful reflections in a way that mirrors the internal turmoil experienced by Thomas Shelby.

True Detective maintains a somber tone through dark lighting effects, slow-paced scenes, and deliberate dialogues. Rust conducts his suspect interrogation in a suffocating, dark room by carefully applying force and thought-provoking observations. It is clear from both plays that brutal force serves as both an essential resource and a burden of oppression.


3. Gangs of London (2020)

Gangs of London (2020) | Image via Netflix
Gangs of London (2020) | Image via Netflix

Gangs of London expresses the same spirit as Peaky Blinders but delivers it with an amplified level of intensity in its superior British rhythm. After underworld leader Finn Wallace gets executed in London, the city erupts into a deadly fight between international criminal organizations for dominance. Sean tries to reclaim his father's reign while safeguarding London from turmoil and looking for the culprit who murdered his father. Elliot Finch plays an undercover officer by infiltrating the Wallace gang to find important criminal evidence.

The show features fight scenes directed by Gareth Evans, who also co-created the Raid franchise. The exciting plot and intense action sequences provide a thrilling experience in Gangs of London.


2. Boardwalk Empire (2010)

Boardwalk Empire (2010) | Image via Max
Boardwalk Empire (2010) | Image via Max

Many people say that watching Boardwalk Empire feels similar to watching Peaky Blinders. Two television shows centered their plots on the 1920s and 1930s, tracking several crime families. During the Boardwalk Empire series, Nucky Thompson develops fierce conflicts in his business and personal life in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The story incorporates truthful historical events and fictional elements. Elegant costumes, sophisticated stage décor, and strong acting elevate the show to a large and passionate emotional level. Boardwalk Empire will appeal to you more than Peaky Blinders due to its unpredictable nature, making it a must-see TV show.


1. Deadwood (2004)

Deadwood (2004) | Image via Prime Video
Deadwood (2004) | Image via Prime Video

Deadwood first aired on March 21, 2004, showing its narrative set in a savage South Dakota mining camp during the late 1870s. Through its narrative, the television show traces the continuous evolution of a mining town that emerged from gold findings, moral decay, and intimidating violence. Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders is reflected in Al Swearengen's development of his crafty savagery.

The characters guide their actions through maneuvers driven by fear as they face transformations in their world. Deadwood replicates Shakespearean literary dialogue and brutal strife in the same way as Peaky Blinders utilizes poetic wisdom with abrupt bursts of violence.

A comparable tactical threat happened when Swearengen used his pleasant attitude to make threats, just like Tommy employs controlled conversation before delivering his powerful acts. The photos of horrific fighting in stadium-like muddy grounds depict Birmingham gang territorial fights. The two series demonstrate how authority and legal principles merge as power systems apply costs to their applications.


In conclusion, fans of Peaky Blinders often seek stories packed with conflict, dark secrets, and deep emotional layers. Shows like Gangs of London and Deadwood capture the same gritty spirit, offering viewers intense gang rivalries, complex characters, and dramatic suspense. For anyone missing the criminal world of Birmingham, these aforementioned series promise an equally thrilling ride.

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Edited by Tanisha Aggarwal