The highly popular British crime series Peaky Blinders, created by Steven Knight, is finally coming to the big screen on March 6th. While fans wait, they can enjoy other shows that share similar themes and styles. Those familiar with Tommy Shelby and his gang in Small Heath will likely see familiar elements in these other series.
The upcoming Peaky Blinders movie on Netflix promises to be unique, but the show itself has already had a major impact on television. It’s influenced a wide range of programs, from historical dramas about times of change to other action-packed period thrillers and modern crime series – much like The Godfather, Peaky Blinders has left its mark on the landscape of television, especially through the work of its creator, Steven Knight.
Let’s be real, there are tons of shows trying to capture that gritty, historical crime vibe like Peaky Blinders. But honestly, while a few seem to be actively aiming to be the next big thing in British gangster dramas, none of them have quite managed to reach the same level. As far as I’m concerned, Peaky Blinders still reigns supreme as the best gangster show to come out of the UK – nothing’s topped it yet!
It’s been over a decade since Peaky Blinders first appeared on the BBC, and eleven years since it became available on Netflix. Since then, different adaptations featuring the Shelby family have been created and shown in cities around the world, from Dublin to San Francisco.
Rebellion
2016
The Netflix show Rebellion depicts the 1916 Easter Rising and the beginning of the Irish Civil War. While the story itself isn’t quite as strong as Peaky Blinders, it shares a similar visual style and dark, atmospheric feel. Like Peaky Blinders, Rebellion is set in the early 20th century and creates a comparable mood and aesthetic, particularly evoking the look of Tommy Shelby’s Birmingham.
As if the show wasn’t amazing enough already, they’ve got a ton of actors from Peaky Blinders in it! Besides Natasha O’Keeffe (Lizzie Shelby) and Charlie Murphy (Jessie Eden), I was so excited to see Brian Gleeson, Simone Kirby, and even Barry Keoghan (who I loved in The Immortal Man) popping up too!
Animal Kingdom
2016–2022
Beyond being a standout crime drama, Animal Kingdom is arguably Netflix’s most overlooked show. This modern series follows a family creating a criminal empire in Southern California, and it’s just as gripping as Peaky Blinders, though with a completely different vibe and location.
Beyond the rise of the gangs they focus on, the shows Animal Kingdom and Peaky Blinders are most notably connected by their compelling characters. The Cody family’s Smurf is as strong and quick-witted as Polly Gray, and Finn Cole delivers similar performances as J Cody and Michael Gray, Polly’s son.
Taboo
2017
As a huge fan of Steven Knight’s work, especially Peaky Blinders, I was thrilled by Taboo. Tom Hardy is just incredible as James Keziah Delaney, a really compelling character who comes back to London from Africa and gets tangled up in the city’s dark criminal side back in the 1800s. And the best news? Steven Knight has hinted that we might actually get a second season, which I’m really hoping happens!
As a huge Tom Hardy fan, it’s a shame we only got one season of his incredible performance – it was such a departure from his Alfie Solomons, and really showed his range! Still, watching Taboo felt like classic Steven Knight, very much in the same vein as Peaky Blinders, especially how the story really came to life within that historical London setting.
Bad Blood
2017–2018
Netflix’s Bad Blood is a compelling crime drama that follows the dramatic climb and eventual downfall of a mafia family. What sets it apart is its satisfying conclusion – a rare feat for shows of this type. Kim Coates delivers a truly captivating performance as Declan Gardiner, the ambitious mob boss, and many viewers believe he’s just as impressive as Cillian Murphy in similar roles.
With its blend of tough realism and stunning visuals, Bad Blood easily deserves comparisons to shows like The Sopranos. However, it actually feels more akin to Peaky Blinders, sharing similarities in its storyline, characters, and distinctive historical style.
Warrior
2019–2023
HBO’s Warrior started as an idea by Bruce Lee, and it clearly takes inspiration from the style of Peaky Blinders in how it’s made. The show is a stunning visual portrayal of the Tong Wars in 19th-century San Francisco, and it’s just as intense and violent as Peaky Blinders, but equally exciting.
Warrior creates a gripping and immersive world with its intense atmosphere, telling a thrilling story of survival in a gritty city. Many consider it the best series here, and its incredible fight scenes are often compared to the classic Kung Fu movies of Bruce Lee.
Godfather Of Harlem
2019–Present
As a fan of gritty crime dramas, I can confidently say that Godfather of Harlem is right up there with Peaky Blinders as one of the best of the recent era. What both shows do so well is weave real historical figures into their stories, but Godfather of Harlem really takes it to another level. Instead of just sprinkling in history, it actually builds its entire, compelling, semi-fictional story around actual events. It’s a fascinating approach that truly sets it apart.
Featuring Forest Whitaker as Bumpy Johnson, Godfather of Harlem tells the story of a powerful crime boss navigating the world of New York’s Italian mafia. Like HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, it’s a brilliantly told historical drama. However, it has since surpassed Peaky Blinders to become the top gangster show on television.
Gangs Of London
2020–Present
Joe Cole, known for his role as John Shelby in Peaky Blinders, stars in this new, action-packed thriller. Set in London’s criminal world, the series delivers the same intensity as Peaky Blinders. While Gangs of London draws inspiration from the video game The Getaway, it shares more of a gritty, dramatic feel with Peaky Blinders.
Cole decided to leave Peaky Blinders after three and a half seasons because, despite surface-level differences, he realized the two shows were fundamentally alike. He wanted the opportunity to be the central figure, like Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders, and star as the lead gangster in his own series.
Mayor of Kingstown
2021–Present
Taylor Sheridan’s series Mayor of Kingstown won’t be continuing, despite the creator’s wishes, but it was an exciting show while it lasted. Similar to how Small Heath revolves around the Peaky Blinders’ business, the town of Kingstown, Michigan, is controlled by the powerful and corrupt McLusky family, who run the prisons.
Jeremy Renner’s character, Mike McLusky, is similar to Tommy Shelby, but he operates more openly within the legal system. While Taylor Sheridan isn’t as skilled a storyteller as Steven Knight, he still delivers exciting and impactful hour-long crime dramas.
A Thousand Blows
2025–Present
Image via Hulu
Though set in a different time and world than Peaky Blinders, A Thousand Blows feels like a natural continuation of that story. Instead of the Shelby family, this boxing drama focuses on the Forty Elephants, a historical gang of female thieves, and is led by Erin Doherty’s character, Mary Carr.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of London’s East End in the late 1800s, A Thousand Blows really shines thanks to its strong performances. Actors like Doherty, Malachi Kirby, and Stephen Graham truly make this Peaky Blinders spin-off captivating.
House Of Guinness
2025
Ben Blackall/Netflix
Last September, House of Guinness received a higher Rotten Tomatoes score than any other first season created by Steven Knight, even surpassing his hit show Peaky Blinders. The series, which tells a fictionalized story of a crisis at the Guinness brewery in the 1800s, feels like a historical version of the show Succession.
This new series shares a similar confident style and look with Knight’s initial television work. Whether that’s a good thing or not, Peaky Blinders will likely remain the standard by which all his other historical dramas are judged. So far, though, the show’s success has ultimately benefited its creator more than hindered them.
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2026-01-25 16:32