Three years after the finale ofPeaky Blinders,audiences may be searching for another series that can provide the same gritty atmosphere and tough characters, and fortunately, a 2010 American show fits the bill. Forsix seasons,Peaky Blindersfollowed the exploits of Tommy Shelby, a crime boss located in Birmingham, England in the years following World War I. Alongside his brothers and other family members,Shelby took control of the English crime scene, making incredible money but also earning dangerous enemies.The series was critically acclaimed from start to finish.
Peaky Blindersis a show that is hard to find a companion forbecause of its historical period and unique ambiance. The show is not just about gangs or crime, but also delves into the trauma faced by British men after World War I, and the general suffering that overwhelmed this period. As much as it is thrilling to see Shelby take on warring gang members, there is a much deeper story at play that isn’t always easy to replicate. Luckily, there is one show that viewers may have forgotten about, butcould scratch the itchPeaky Blindershas left.
Peaky Blinders & Boardwalk Empire Share Similar DNA (& Fans Would Love Both)
What Makes Boardwalk Empire So Good
A strong follow-up toPeaky Blindersfor those seeking a similar series is 2010’sBoardwalk Empire.Set in Atlantic City in the 1920s,the show centers on Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, the town treasurer who secretly deals in illegal alcoholand fraternizes with the biggest mob bosses in the country, from Al Capone to Lucky Luciano. With the help of his brother, the town sheriff, and other local tough guys, Nucky asserts his control over Atlantic City at a time when lawlessness was on the rise and Americans yearned for relief in the face of Prohibition.
10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Peaky Blinders 11 Years After The Show Premiered
Rewatching Peaky Blinders over a decade after it premiered reveals some interesting truths about the Cillian Murphy-led show ahead of the movie.
Based on the premise, it is clear thatBoardwalk Empireshares very similar DNA toPeaky Blinders.Both series are concerned with crime and gangs during the early 20th century, and use their historical settings to develop their characters and worlds. In many ways,Nucky is just like Tommy, as he commits crimes but also cares for the people in his city.Plus, just likePeaky Blinders,Boardwalk Empireearned an impressive 92%on Rotten Tomatoes over the course of five seasons, proving that it is of good quality all the way through.
An American Peaky Blinders Remake Wouldn’t Work, But Boardwalk Empire Is As Close As We’ll Get
Boardwalk Empire’s Differences From Peaky Blinders Are Still Good
Ultimately,Boardwalk Empireis the closest audiences will ever get to an American version ofPeaky Blinders.This is becausePeaky Blindersis so reliant on its history that there is really no American period that looks and feels the same. Arguably, 1920s America comes the closest to presenting the dark and ruthless feelings that pervaded post-war England.Boardwalk Empiremay offer different charactersand different situations, but all in all, both series explore the same themes and issues in a strikingly similar period.
Buscemi is certainly not Cillian Murphy, but he brings his own sense of charisma and danger to the character that is just as compelling.
In many ways,Boardwalk Empire’sdifferences make the show better.For example, the series boasts a vast cast of incredible stars, including Steve Buscemi, Michael Shannon, and Michael Pitt. Buscemi is certainly not Cillian Murphy, but he brings his own sense of charisma and danger to the character that is just as compelling. Furthermore, Americans may find a lot to learn and appreciate within the gang culture ofBoardwalk Empire.Either way,Peaky Blinderslovers should definitely giveBoardwalk Empirea try.
