New Series Obsession: Peaky Blinders

Although the Peaky Blinders season 1 (or series 1 as the British call it) aired last year, unfortunatelly I discovered this awesome show just a couple of weeks ago when some friends suggested it. The show already runned it second season this Fall and the latest news is that season 3 has already got the green light and the cast will soon be announced (yay!).

Peaky Blinders is set at Birmingham in 1919, just after the end of the World War I. The show is centrered on the Shelby family, a gang lead by Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) that deals with illegal betting. The family is supported by Aunt Polly (Helen McCrory), a mother figure that does not hesitate to use machiavellian methods to protect her clan. The story gets complicated when Inspector Chester Campbell (Sam Neil) arrives in town to investigate the robbery of a massive quantity of guns that could be used to support IRA. To help him get closser to the Peaky Blinders - the #1 suspect- he hires Grace (Annabelle Wallis) to work undercover  close to the family ang provide him information. Grace gets close to Thomas and it seems that the cruel and unemotional leader, finally reveals a week spot.

Amazing performances, exquisite costumes and cinematography, great script, make this show one of the best shows that I have watched lately! What makes it difference from other gang related or era shows is that eventhough it deals with crime and violence, it manages to develop the characters in such a range that we come to understand and sympathize those outlaws, that are obviously deeply affected by the horrible experiences that they had during the war. Another amazing feature of the show is the music. Who would have thought that a show set in 1919  would feature music from Nick Cave, White Stripes or even the Arctic Monkeys? And trust me the execution is impeccable! To demostrate the coolness of the show, please take a look at the opening credits, which are different in every episode:

Cillian Murphy is the ultimate star of the show, an actor that has already shown that he can take on an era role (at The Wind that Shakes the Barley), but at this show manages to demostrate even more his acting range. The chemistry with both his romantic interest (Annabelle Wallis) but also his nemesis Sam Neil, is powerful and helps set up some scenes that are simply an acting lesson.

So, I already finished season 1 and am halfway in season 2, where Tom Hardy joins (!), so you will have to excuse me, I have to catch up with the show :-)

In the meanwhile, enjoy the season 1 trailer!