The British crime dramaPeaky Blinderswas among the greatest BBC series ever created, and many viewers will be searching for something similar to check out next. While the long-awaitedupcomingPeaky BlindersmovieThe Immortal Manwill soon fill a Thomas Shelby-sized hole in audiences' lives, there were also plenty more fantastic period shows to catch up with in the meantime. From thrilling police series of Victorian officers on the trail of notorious serial killers to exciting explorations of the Colombian cocaine trade, there’s been no shortage of excellent crime dramas in recent years.
WhilePeaky Blindersfeatured someall-time great TV characters, it was not the only show Steven Knight created that explored crime in a historical setting. Plenty of fantastic British crime dramas also includedPeaky Blindersactors who brought the same level of commitment to their new shows, while some of thevery best HBO seriescan also live up to the lofty expectations set by Birmingham’s most notorious street gang. AlthoughPeaky Blinderswas one of the best shows of all time, it was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to compelling period crime dramas.
While the realPeaky Blinderswas a notorious criminal gang running amok in Birmingham since the late 1880s, this period also housed a killer far more infamous than those working-class thieves. This was because, during the same time, Jack the Ripper was active in Whitechapel, London, and to this day, this serial killer has remained a fascinating figure. The search for this heinous lady killer informed the BBC seriesRipper Street, which explored the police force tasked with bringing him down.
Whilethe crimes of Jack the Ripper were central toRipper Street, the show also explored the factories, rookeries, chop shops, brothels, and pubs affected by his shocking crimes. With sharp dialogue, a Dickensian style, and dark undertones,Ripper Streetbrought Victorian London to life in a way few series achieve. Featuring five fantastic seasons to catch up on,Ripper Streetwas the perfectPeaky Blindersreplacement show.
One thing that the Shelby family had in common with the brutal criminal underworld of the cartel was their ruthless ambition and willingness to embrace crime in the pursuit of power. This was as true for Thomas Shelby as it was for Pablo Escobar inNarcos. As a genuine historical figure and one of the most notorious drug kingpins who ever lived,the way that Escobar (Wagner Moura) oversaw the Medellín Cartel in Colombiawas every bit as thrilling as Shelby’s rise in the criminal underworld of Birmingham.
Peaky BlindersandNarcosboth feature cunning and dangerous protagonists who use their sharp minds to expertly strategize their every move. Add to this the political undertones of their criminal endeavors, and it’s fascinating to see how the post-WWI economic struggles ofPeaky Blindersjuxtapose with the rise of the cocaine trade in Columbia inNarcos. While they may look like very different shows at first glance, upon further inspection, they had a lot in common.
The Alienist
Cast
Set in New York in 1896, The Alienist follows police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt as he enlists criminal psychologist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, newspaper illustrator John Moore, and secretary Sara Howard to investigate a series of murders targeting male prostitutes.
Much likePeaky Blinders, the period crime dramaThe Alienistblends fact and fiction in a way that allows for a gritty sense of historical intrigue while not being pigeonholed by the expectations of genuine biographical drama. Set in mid-1890s New York City,The Alieniststarred Daniel Brühl, Luke Evans, and Dakota Fanning investigating a child-murdering serial killer. With stylish cinematography and a noir atmosphere, the sense of danger underpinning this period series made for thrilling viewing.
WhilePeaky Blindersfocused more on providing viewers an insider’s glimpse into the world of organized crime,The Alienistdifferentiated itself by examining the psychology of criminality. With an ensemble cast that mainly focused on the side of the law,The Alienistexplored those trying to expose and disrupt the criminal underbelly of New York societythat plagued its citizens during this time.
Those who have caught up onPeaky Blindersand are craving another cunning and engaging criminal protagonist to latch onto look no further thanGodfather of Harlem. With Forest Whitaker as Bumpy Johnson,Godfather of Harlemtold a fictionalized account of this Harlem crime boss’s battle to reclaim control of the streetsfrom the Italian mafia. Having returned from prison after ten years, Bumpy was forced to reckon with the changes that had occurred in his community and form new alliances to take back control.
Godfather of Harlemexplored not just the criminal underworld of Harlem but also the social, political, and civil rights issues of Black Americans during this time. With the civil rights leader Malcolm X (Nigél Thatch) as a major character,Godfather of Harlemhighlighted the social upheavals and complexities that threatened to tear Harlem communities apart. As a thrilling series filled with great performances,Godfather of Harlemdeserves far more credit as one of the best shows to come out in recent years.
WhileBabylon BerlinandPeaky Blinderseach focus on the aftermath of the First World War, they showcase this era from two very different perspectives. While Thomas Shelby suffered from PTSD from his time as a sergeant major in the war,Babylon Berlintransported viewers to the Weimar Republic to depict Berlin during the 1920s. With Volker Bruch as Inspector Gereon Rath, a former combat veteran of the Imperial German Army, he must adapt to the world of policing as he’s transferred from his hometown of Cologne to Berlin.
In the same way that the war changed Thomas Shelby forever, Inspector Gereon returned from the battlefield with a morphine addiction and survivor’s guilt following the loss of his brother. With a focus on crime and corruption, Inspector Gereon uncovered a society plagued by corruption as he interacted with the gangsters and criminals he was tasked with bringing down. As a series led by a flawed but compelling protagonist,Peaky Blindersfans will find a lot to love inBabylon Berlin.
One of the most striking things aboutPeaky Blinderswas its incredible visual style and the era-appropriate costumes of its characters. Those who enjoy the costume design and wardrobe side of period crime dramas should also check outMiss Scarlet and The Duke,a stunning Victorian mystery series as stylish as it was suspenseful. With Kate Phillips and Stuart Martin as the Victorian detective title characters, themes of class and social expectations were central to the appeal of this series.
WhileMiss Scarlet and The Dukewas notably more lighthearted thanPeaky Blinders, it still delivered carefully crafted mysteries with sharp dialogue, witty writing, and an engaging insight into a corrupt society. While Martin as The Duke sadly exited the show at the end of season 4, the show ran for one more season under a new title,Miss Scarlet, to account for his absence.
Copper
Copper follows Kevin Corcoran, a young Irish immigrant policeman in 1860s New York City, as he navigates the tumultuous Five Points neighborhood. Amidst his duties, he searches for answers regarding his wife’s disappearance and his daughter’s death.
As BBC America’s first original scripted program, it was only appropriate thatCopperleaned into the mythos of United States history. Set in 1860s New York,Copperstarred Tom Weston-Jones as an Irish policeman patrolling the Five Points neighborhood and trying to keep the peace among all the immigrant groups that make up his community. While working on the streets as a “copper,” Officer Kevin “Corky” Corcoran is also searching for information on his missing wife and murdered daughter, who he was separated from while fighting for the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Copperaddressed the aftereffects of the Civil War on American societyand the social friction between the aristocracy of New York and its African American population. With a morally complex protagonist trying to navigate his position with personal troubles, the social upheaval, corruption, and crime that make up Corcoran’s day-to-day life was almost like a mirrored reflection of Thomas Shelby’s criminal empire inPeaky Blinders.
One of the best things about period crime dramas likePeaky Blindersis that they give us insight into eras and lifestyles we will never experience. While criminals like Thomas Shelby made for fearsome protagonists, they were oddly charismatic and insanely watchable. The same can be said forthe depiction of the Wild West in HBO’sDeadwood, a Western series that showcases the final days of the American frontier, as law and order slowly start to infringe on the chaotic encampment that is fast-growing into a genuine town.
At the center ofDeadwoodwas Ian McShane as Al Swearengen, the notorious owner of The Gem Saloon, an establishment every bit as shady as The Garrison inPeaky Blinders.Deadwoodwas truly one of the greatest Western TV series of all time, as it showcased the complex social structures and underhanded politics that inform the criminal side of the Wild West. WhileDeadwoodwas sadly prematurely canceled after just three seasons, much likePeaky Blinders, it received a long-awaited conclusion years later withDeadwood: The Moviefrom 2019.
For those looking to fill aPeaky Blinders-shaped gap in their lives, look no further than HBO’sBoardwalk Empire. This thrilling period of crime drama was set in New Jersey during the Prohibition era and gave a unique insight into criminal behavior, shady practices, and constant bootlegging, which categorized this fascinating time in United States history. While the peaked caps of Birmingham’s most notorious gang were nowhere in sight, they were replaced by depictions of genuine criminals from the Prohibition era.
Boardwalk Empireboasted some serious talent asthe pilot episode was directed by gangster movie legend Martin Scorsese, who set the tone for the entire series. With Steve Buscemi in the lead role as the corrupt treasurer Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, the impressive ensemble cast also included the likes of Michael Shannon. Stephen Graham, who appeared as Hayden Stagg in the sixth season ofPeaky Blinders, even had a significant role as Al Capone.
taboo
In 1814, in the wake of his father’s death, British businessman James Delaney returns to England, having spent the past twelve years in Africa. As he has little to his name, he sets about trying to reclaim his inheritance, against the gritty backdrop of 19th century London’s political corruption, underhanded business practices, and criminal activity.
Peaky Blindersfans should feel very comfortable entering the world ofTaboo, as it was not onlyco-created byPeaky Blinderscreator Steven Knightbut also starred Alfie Solomons’ actor Tom Hardy. Set in 1814,Taboostarred Hardy as James Delaney, a man returning to England after 12 years in Africa following his father’s death. As a series exploring the dark side of 19th-century London amidst the end of Britain’s 1812 War with the U.S.,Taboomaintained the social, political, and economic intrigue that elevatedPeaky Blinders.
With a focus on complex issues involving political corruption, criminal gangs, and the East India Trading Company,Tabooshone a light on the foes of both the wealthy and the working class. With stunning visuals, expert pacing, and a strong performance from Hardy, although it only ran for one season,Taboowas first-rate British television. Those with a love forPeaky Blinderswould be doing themselves a disservice if they didn’t check outTaboo.
