Was Shelby's family real?

Well, kind of. Technically, Peaky Blinders follows the Shelby family, a gang of outlaws who infiltrated late 19th-century England — the Shelby's weren't reported to be real people, but the Peaky Blinders gang did exist.

Is the Shelby family a real family?

Although many characters in the series are based on real-life historical figures, most of the Peaky Blinders are entirely fictional and were created by Knight. Tommy Shelby is from a Romani family based in Birmingham.

Was Thomas Shelby a real person in history?

None of the names of people previously reported to have been in the real Peaky Blinders' heyday have Shelby as a surname. Cillian Murphy's character Thomas Shelby may have been a work of fiction, but the real gang's antics were just as dramatic, violent and dark as the show makes out.

Are the Shelby Brothers real brothers?

And while viewers of the hugely popular gangster drama have yet to see the series unfold, it has been unveiled that the actors who play Michael Gray and John Shelby are in fact brothers in real life. Joe began appearing in the BBC show back in 2013, while his brother Finn joined a year later.

Is Finn Polly's son?

Polly Gray is Finn's Paternal aunt. Due to the death of his mother, abandonment of his father, and his brothers going off to war, Aunt Polly has been the sole caretaker of Finn.

The Original Peaky Blinders | Britain's Biggest Dig - BBC

How much of the Peaky Blinders is true?

Created by Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders is technically based on a true story but has also been heavily fictionalized for dramatic purposes. The BBC-Netflix crime drama focuses primarily on the Shelby family, a gang of outlaws who infiltrate high society in 1920s Birmingham, England.

Who was the real Billy Kimber?

William "Billy" Kimber, born 1882 in Summer Lane, Aston in Birmingham, a brass caster by trade, was head of the Birmingham Boys. With gangs in Uttoxeter and Leeds he controlled racecourses in the Midlands and the North. For several years Kimber was probably the biggest organised crime boss in the UK.

Who is Thomas Shelby based upon?

Thomas Shelby is a character on Peaky Blinders, who's played by actor Cillian Murphy. While not directly correlated to a real-life person, Shelby might have been inspired by former real-life Peaky Blinder Kevin Mooney, aka Thomas Gilbert.

Who was the real leader of the Peaky Blinders?

Shelby, brother of Arthur, John, Ada and Finn Shelby, father of Charles and Ruby Shelby, as well as being the husband of Grace and Lizzie Shelby. He is the leader of the Birmingham criminal gang, the Peaky Blinders and the patriarch of the Shelby Family.

Are there any Shelby family still alive?

“It's a myth. There is no evidence for it. The real Peaky Blinder gangs used weapons that were ready to hand, and not expensive.

Does the Shelby company still exist?

The Shelby Company Limited is a limited company owned by the Shelby Family. It is a successful business that continues to thrive through the 1920s.

Is the Shelby family gypsy?

The Shelbys are of Irish-Romani descent, referring to themselves and other Romani as “gypsies” in the show.

What illness does Alfie Solomons have?

Alfie revealed that he was suffering from skin cancer, which he attributed to the poisonous gas used in the Great War; Alfie had intended for Tommy to discover his betrayal, track him down, and kill him so Alfie could die on his own terms, rather than the Mafia.

Is Luca Changretta a real person?

Luca Changretta and his gang are entirely fictional and come from the mind of Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight.

Did the real peaky blinders have razors in their hats?

Historian David Cross, of the West Midlands Police Museum in Sparkhill, is also confident that razor blades in caps is just an urban myth. "If you think of your grandfather's cap in those days, then it would have had a very hard peak," said Mr Cross. "They used their hats with razor blades sewn in to rob people.

How old is Tommy Shelby meant to be?

Tommy was born in 1890 and so at the beginning of series five, the gangster is 39-years-old.

Was Billy kitchen real?

Billy Kitchen (1886-1921) was a member of the Peaky Blinders gang who led their 100-man crew in Camden Town, London during the early 20th century.

Did Billy Kimber take down the peaky blinders?

They held “control” for nearly 20 years until 1910, when a larger gang, the Birmingham Boys, led by Billy Kimber overtook them. Although they had disappeared by the 1920s, the name "Peaky Blinders" became synonymous slang for any street gang in Birmingham.

How many cigarettes are smoked in Peaky Blinders?

Cillian Murphy character trivia from Peaky Blinders

In a conversation with the Independent, Murphy revealed that he smoked about 3000 cigarettes throughout the filming of Season 2. Murphy claimed, that at that age, people used to smoke a lot.

Is Alfie Solomons real?

Alfie Solomons is a fictional character played by Tom Hardy in the British period crime drama Peaky Blinders. He is the leader of a Jewish gang based in Camden Town and was introduced in Series 2.

Are the Peaky Blinders Irish or British?

Peaky Blinders is a British crime drama television series created by Steven Knight. Set in Birmingham, England, it follows the exploits of the Peaky Blinders crime gang in the direct aftermath of the First World War.

Is the Peaky Blinders haircut historically accurate?

The Peaky Blinders haircut is historically accurate and has been a popular look since the 20th century, particularly amongst young working-class men. The hair cut originated in interwar Glasgow, when the Neds (petty criminals), had a haircut which was long on the top and short at the back and sides.

What illness has Tommy Shelby got?

Tuberculosis was the illness his daughter died from, which was likely to have caused the tumour, according to his personal doctor. The doctor told him he had up to 18 months to live and was going to need the help and support of those who 'love him very, very much' as his condition deteriorates.

What is Alfie Solomons accent?

Alfie Solomons, Peaky Blinders, 2014

And this is reflected in Hardy's accent, which sounds a bit like he got drunk, broke his jaw and stuffed marshmallows into his mouth to numb the pain. He's almost certainly a cockney, but perhaps he's got a Welsh grandparent or something.