5 Nov 2014

‘Birmingham is glamorous’ – Peaky Blinders writer

The big budget historical drama Peaky Blinders has wowed audiences here and is proving a success in the US too. But what about its setting: Birmingham…?

Writer Steven Knight, who grew up in Birmingham told Channel 4 News that the city is “glamorous” in its own way.

“I find that Americans are more than happy to take their history and turn it into something more than just history.

“They try to use it to make philosophical points, theological points political points and also enjoy it. And I think in England we’re a bit shy of doing that and say ‘well, I can’t possibly make this glamorous because it’s Birmingham.’ Well, it is glamorous.”

Peaky Blinders is set between the first and second world wars and sees a gang of illegal bookmakers run riot on the backstreets and canals with their business. The drama stars Irish actor Cillian Murphy, who plays gang leader Thomas Shelby.