After delivering asixth and final seasonwhich ended ambiguously in 2022, Netflix’s British crime dramaPeaky Blinderswas rumored to be making a comeback of sorts with very little progress. Now, however, it has been revealed that Netflix is planning on birthing its ownPeaky Blindersfranchise,with the streamer reportedly developing at least two spinoffs based on the beloved crime drama.
The original show centers around the Peaky Blinders street gang from Birmingham, dramatizing their actions in England from 1919 to 1933 and the meteoric rise of Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) - the gang’s leader in the series. Now, according to a report fromBloomberg, Netflix is reportedly working on both a sequel and a prequel series for the show. The first will be set decades after the original show in Boston, while the second will focus on Polly Gray, the matriarch of the Shelby crime syndicate. The report reads, “One of those would be set in Boston during the middle of the 20th century, a couple decades after the original Peaky Blinders, while another would focus on Polly, the matriarch of the criminal Shelby clan.”
It is abundantly clear that should Netflix succeed, the streamer will be expanding a world that is already a brilliant one. While details on what these shows might entail, the decision to stage the sequel in Boston might be an indication of a larger storyline for the revered US-based crime boss, Jack Nelson (James Frecheville). In the sixth season ofPeaky Blinders, “Uncle Jack” had tense dealings with the Birmingham gang and its leader, Tommy. These frayed relations were mainly as a result of the soured nature of Tommy’s dealings with his cousin, Micheal Gray (Finn Cole), with Jack Nelson being the uncle of Michael’s wife, Gina Gray (Anya Taylor-Joy). The Elizabeth Pollyanna “Polly” Gray series is likely to be a prequel, as the character was killed off-screen prior to the start of the sixth -Aunt Pollly’s death was the main source of animosity between Michael and Tommy, with Michael blaming him for it. However, Polly’s death was written in withthe sad passing of the brilliant Helen McCrory in 2021. The actress had played the role since the series premiered.
So Where Does this Leave Knight’s Feature-Length Film?
Created byStephen Knight,Peaky Blindersdebuted in 2013 and after six seasons that covered various shades of crime, loss, political scheming, betrayal and violence, the show ended in 2022. In the aftermath,creator Knight discussed a feature-length film which would seek to, perhaps, wrap up what was an ambiguous ending. “Yes, I’m writing it right now. I’m nearly done writing it, and we’re going to shoot it… I’m setting up some film and television studios in Digbeth in Birmingham,”Knight had said in July 2022. Despite Knight consistent optimism over the years,Murphy had earlier this year, cast doubt on the film’s development, saying “If there’s more story there, I’d love to do it, but it has to be right.” With news of a sequel, a feature-length film might be what is needed to step into the carnage in the Boston staged series.
Peaky Blindersis now streaming on Netflix.
Peaky Blinders
A gangster family epic set in 1900s England, centering on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby.
