The critically acclaimed first season of Peaky Blinders masterfully weaves historical authenticity with dramatic storytelling, chronicling the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-World War I Birmingham. While the real Peaky Blinders gang operated from the 1880s through the 1920s, creator Steven Knight’s narrative focuses on 1919, a pivotal year when returning soldiers, political upheaval, and industrial unrest transformed England’s industrial heartland. The series reimagines this historical framework through the lens of the fictional Shelby family, led by the calculating Thomas “Tommy” Shelby, whose tactical brilliance was forged in the trenches of World War I.
Set against the smoky backdrop of Birmingham’s industrial landscape, Season 1 expands beyond mere gangster drama to explore themes of class warfare, family loyalty, and post-war trauma. The narrative interweaves historical elements—including the presence of the IRA, communist agitators, and Winston Churchill’s influence—with personal dramas involving police corruption, betrayal, and forbidden romance. Through Cillian Murphy’s nuanced portrayal of Tommy Shelby, the season chronicles how a street gang transforms into a legitimate enterprise, while grappling with threats from rival gangs, law enforcement, and internal family conflicts that challenge their newfound ambitions.
The Shelbys Take Control
Set in post-World War I Birmingham, England, in 1919, Peaky Blinders season 1 follows the ambitious Thomas “Tommy” Shelby, who leads the notorious street gang known as the Peaky Blinders. The series opens with Tommy consulting a fortune-teller in hopes of securing victory at an upcoming horse race, much to the dismay of his older brother Arthur (Paul Anderson). The Shelby family forms the core of the gang, including Tommy’s younger brothers John (Joe Cole) and Finn (Alfie Evans-Meese), his sister Ada (Sophie Rundle), and their formidable aunt Polly (Helen McCrory), who serves as the family’s matriarch.
The gang’s activities draw the attention of Major Chester Campbell (Sam Neill), a determined police inspector investigating the mysterious theft of weapons and ammunition intended for Libya. As the primary suspects in this case, the Shelby brothers face increasing scrutiny from law enforcement. Meanwhile, tensions rise as communist activist Freddie Thorne (Iddo Goldberg), Tommy’s former military comrade turned ideological opponent, rallies factory workers to strike. The situation grows more complex when Arthur, unaware of the weapons theft orchestrated by Tommy, becomes increasingly concerned about police interference in their supposedly legitimate betting operation.
In a private moment, Tommy reveals to Aunt Polly that he masterminded the weapons heist, explaining the intensified police presence. Simultaneously, a clandestine romance blooms between Ada Shelby and Freddie Thorne, threatening to complicate family loyalties. The plot thickens with the arrival of Grace Burgess (Annabelle Wallis), a mysterious barmaid who secures employment at Tommy’s frequent haunt. Her true identity as a police informant is later revealed during a meeting with Campbell at a museum, where she suggests the Irish Republican Army (IRA) might be the actual perpetrators of the weapons theft.
To maintain peace with rival gangs, Tommy orchestrates an elaborate deception, staging the execution of his associate Danny (Samuel Edward-Cook) after a fatal altercation with an Italian gang member. In reality, Tommy secretly dispatches Danny to London to gather intelligence for the Peaky Blinders. The gang’s influence continues to expand as Tommy acquires a white horse from Johnny Dogs (Packy Lee), a former military compatriot now affiliated with the Lee Clan.
Families Under Pressure
While the Shelbys attend an event, Campbell launches a widespread raid on their territory, searching for the stolen arsenal. Upon return, Tommy shrewdly manages the aftermath by compensating affected residents and organizing a provocative protest involving the burning of the King’s photographs—an act of defiance that catches Winston Churchill’s attention. The situation intensifies when Tommy receives a bullet bearing his name from the Lee Clan, signaling an imminent threat.
Personal and professional conflicts collide when Aunt Polly discovers Ada’s pregnancy with Freddie’s child, igniting Tommy’s fury over the relationship. Despite his personal turmoil, Tommy confronts Campbell with a bold ultimatum: either the police cease their interference in Peaky Blinders’ operations, or he will sell the stolen weapons to the IRA. This dangerous gambit elevates the stakes in their ongoing power struggle, setting the stage for further confrontations.
In the days following, tragedy strikes when Charlie delivers devastating news about Tommy’s recently acquired white horse, which has contracted an incurable illness. With a heavy heart, Tommy is compelled to end the animal’s suffering, personally shooting it. Seeking solace at the bar, he finds comfort in Grace’s compassionate gesture as she performs a song for him. Moved by her kindness, Tommy extends an invitation to the upcoming horse race, providing her with funds to purchase an appropriate dress for the occasion.
Meanwhile, a pivotal moment unfolds at the train station where Aunt Polly accompanies Ada to terminate her pregnancy. Their plans are interrupted by Freddie’s unexpected appearance and marriage proposal, as he boldly declares his intention to remain in the city with Ada and their unborn child, regardless of Tommy’s opposition.
Tension escalates when Billy Kimber and his gang confront the Peaky Blinders at their bar, alleging race-fixing. Tommy strategically reveals the threatening bullet from the Lee Clan, recognizing an opportunity to forge an alliance with Kimber through their mutual adversary. Separately, Tommy meets with IRA representatives seeking to purchase the stolen weapons, though he maintains plausible deniability. Grace, monitoring the situation, follows an IRA member but is discovered. In a crucial moment, she manages to eliminate the threat while preserving her cover as an informant.
The situation with Ada intensifies following her marriage to Freddie, prompting Aunt Polly to offer the newlyweds money and an opportunity to leave the city. Freddie’s defiant refusal leads to a charged confrontation by the riverside, where he and Tommy draw weapons on each other. Tommy dismisses Freddie’s future prospects and explicitly denies him acceptance into the Shelby family. Concurrent with these events, Danny reports an IRA member’s death being wrongly attributed to the Peaky Blinders, necessitating swift damage control.
Strategic Marriage Moves
At the much-anticipated horse race, while Tommy escorts Grace, Arthur orchestrates a successful operation to intercept the Lee Clan’s attempted theft. The recovered money is presented to Billy Kimber in exchange for race-day control, though Kimber demands time alone with Grace as additional payment. Tommy reluctantly agrees but intervenes when Kimber attempts to assault her, cleverly deterring him with a fabricated story about Grace’s health.
Meanwhile, Ada and Freddie’s peaceful walk is interrupted by Stanley Chapman (John-Paul Hurley) delivering revolutionary funds from Russia. Back at Peaky Blinders headquarters, amidst the distraction of managing race profits, security is compromised when a young boy infiltrates the building. The family’s absence for a meeting provides an opportunity for the Lee Clan to exact revenge.
During the family gathering, John Shelby announces his intention to marry Lizzie Stark (Natasha O’Keeffe), a former prostitute, drawing mockery and opposition from his relatives. The meeting is abruptly interrupted by news of the Lee Clan’s retaliatory attack on their headquarters. Upon returning, they discover their money stolen and their youngest brother Finn nearly killed by a planted explosive device.
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In response to the attack on their headquarters, Tommy initiates a bold strategic move by meeting with Zilpha Lee (Therese Bradley), the Lee Clan’s matriarch. He proposes an unexpected alliance centered on betraying their mutual enemy, Billy Kimber. Recognizing the potential for vengeance, Zilpha accepts the proposition.
That evening, Tommy confronts Chester with intelligence about Stanley’s receipt of Russian revolutionary funds. He leverages this information to negotiate Freddie’s freedom, though their discussion inevitably turns to the stolen weapons. Chester reveals Churchill’s mounting pressure to recover the arms, warning that his career hangs in the balance. In a moment of tension, Chester threatens to destroy the Peaky Blinders if he loses his position, nearly provoking Tommy to violent retaliation.
Events take a dark turn when Chester’s subsequent raid on Stanley’s residence leads to the suspect’s death under interrogation, without yielding any information about the stolen weapons. Despite Aunt Polly’s urgent pleas for Freddie to flee, he steadfastly refuses to abandon his principles or his family.
The mood shifts as the Shelby family celebrates acquiring their first legitimate horse racing track, marking a significant step toward legitimacy. During the festivities, Grace pursues her covert mission by extracting information from an unsuspecting Arthur about Tommy’s remote storage facility. Chester’s resulting raid proves fruitless, discovering only cigarettes and liquor.
Growing suspicious of Grace’s persistent inquiries into family matters, Tommy subjects her to questioning. She not only deflects his concerns but manages to secure a position as his assistant. Meanwhile, Tommy tests Lizzie’s reformed character by tempting her with money, revealing to John that his intended bride remains susceptible to financial inducement. This revelation prompts John to abandon his marriage plans.
The narrative takes an unexpected turn when the Peaky Blinders’ apparent confrontation with the Lee Clan transforms into a wedding ceremony. John, initially resistant to an arranged marriage with Zilpha’s daughter Esme (Aimee-Ffion Edwards), quickly changes his stance upon meeting his striking bride-to-be. The union successfully cements the alliance between the two families, culminating in jubilant celebrations.
The festivities are interrupted when Ada goes into labor, prompting Freddie’s hasty return. Their moment of joy proves brief as police arrive to arrest Freddie, leading Aunt Polly to accuse Tommy of betrayal. Tommy vehemently denies involvement, explaining his efforts to clear Freddie’s fugitive status, and begins to suspect Grace’s role in the arrest. Acting on his suspicions, Tommy deliberately feeds Grace false information about an imminent attack on Billy Kimber.
The Shelby family dynamics are dramatically altered when John and Arthur encounter their long-absent father, Arthur Shelby Sr. (Tommy Flanagan), at an illegal fighting arena where they had gone to recruit fighters. Arthur’s decision to welcome his father home creates immediate tension within the family, particularly with Aunt Polly, who had stepped in to raise the children after his abandonment. When Arthur defends his father’s return, Tommy’s fierce opposition forces a painful choice between family loyalties, driving Arthur to seek solace in drink.
Betrayals Shake the Family
Grace expertly exploits Arthur’s inebriated state to extract crucial information about payments to Daniel Owen, discovering that Danny’s execution was staged and he now operates as their London operative. This revelation leads Grace to suspect that Danny’s purported grave might conceal Tommy’s stolen weapons cache. Meanwhile, Arthur’s vulnerability to his father’s influence deepens as he takes young Finn to meet their estranged parent, who manipulates Arthur with promises of business opportunities, playing on his insecurities about Tommy’s leadership.
In a parallel development, Tommy engages in a dangerous negotiation with IRA representative Malacki Byrne (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) regarding the stolen weapons. Tommy orchestrates an elaborate sting operation in collaboration with Chester, planning to facilitate the arrest of two IRA members during a weapons transaction at a local bar. Despite Tommy’s explicit instructions for Grace to remain hidden and avoid lethal force, she intervenes dramatically, resulting in both IRA members’ deaths. In the aftermath, Grace reports to Chester, revealing both the killings and the location of Tommy’s weapons cache, while negotiating for Tommy’s future safety in exchange for her resignation.
Chester’s subsequent marriage proposal to Grace, complete with a ring, meets with rejection due to her developing feelings for Tommy. Meanwhile, Arthur faces crushing disappointment when his father disappears with the money Arthur had given him, just as Tommy discovers the devastating loss of his weapons cache—his primary leverage against law enforcement. Chester, embittered by Grace’s rejection and suspecting her attachment to Tommy, retaliates by exposing the Peaky Blinders’ planned assault on Billy Kimber before departing for London.
The narrative reaches a poignant resolution as Tommy consoles a devastated Arthur, clarifying the equitable distribution of the Shelby family business shares within the Peaky Blinders. Tommy reveals that Chester and his police force have withdrawn from Birmingham following the weapons’ recovery, marking a new chapter for their enterprise. This conversation proves healing for Arthur, restoring his confidence and strengthening the family bonds. In the aftermath of these events, the Shelby family business enters a period of unprecedented prosperity, solidifying the Peaky Blinders’ dominance in Birmingham’s underworld.
Battle for Birmingham’s Soul
A few days later, the Shelby family prepared for their assault on Billy Kimber. In a quiet moment, Aunt Polly spoke with Ada, who had finally reconciled with the family. Meanwhile, Tommy gathered the Peaky Blinders, ensuring they were ready for battle. However, their plans were thrown into disarray when one of Tommy’s men reported that Billy Kimber had discovered their strategy. Worse yet, Billy had already mobilized a force three times larger than the Peaky Blinders. Tommy was stunned, unable to understand how their plans had been leaked. Aunt Polly, however, had her suspicions—she was convinced Grace was the informant.
As Tommy prepared for the showdown, Polly took it upon herself to confront Grace. When accused, Grace was forced to draw a pistol for self-defense, but Polly remained composed, warning her that while Tommy might forgive, she never would. Meanwhile, the Peaky Blinders came face to face with Billy Kimber’s forces, the air thick with tension. Just when the odds seemed against them, Danny and Freddie arrived with reinforcements, leveling the playing field. As both sides braced for bloodshed, Ada arrived unexpectedly, cradling her baby and pleading for peace. But Billy remained unmoved, showing no hesitation as he fired his gun—striking both Tommy and Danny.
In a shocking turn, Tommy, presumed dead, managed to rise, lifting his weapon and firing a single, deadly shot that struck Billy in the head, killing him instantly. For a moment, silence fell over the battlefield as both sides processed what had just happened. Before further chaos could erupt, Tommy asserted that the fight was over, as it had only ever been between him and Billy Kimber. He ordered both sides to stand down, preventing unnecessary bloodshed.
After the battle, Tommy endured agonizing pain as he underwent surgery without anesthesia, while the Shelby family mourned Danny’s tragic death. Despite their losses, the Peaky Blinders had won. With Billy Kimber gone, they were officially recognized as the third-largest horse-racing betting operation in England. The victory solidified their power and marked the dramatic conclusion of Peaky Blinders’ first season.
