The BBC's 36-Part Gangster Series Is A Rare Show With No Bad Episodes
Long-running TV shows often take years to build their reputations and establish themselves as true hits, but inevitably, they have a few underwhelming or divisive episodes along the way. From Breaking Bad's "Fly" to Game of Thrones' "The Iron Throne", most of the all-time greats suffer a dip in form at some point, but not Peaky Blinders.
The BBC's hit gangster series began in 2013 and ran for six seasons, eventually concluding in 2022. Throughout its lifespan, Peaky Blinders successfully maintained the high standards audiences had come to expect from the drama, managing to avoid a single bad episode despite the rising expectations, making it a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that deserves its stellar reputation.
Whether it was the unique period and setting, the gritty violence, or the array of top-tier performances, fans took to the show instantly, allowing the franchise to take off. Thankfully, the writing stayed consistent, and while you can still separate Peaky Blinders' best seasons from its worst, the gap between them isn't all that big.
Each outing is entertaining from start to finish, with the finales really shining thanks to the flawless buildup. Add in the fact that Thomas Shelby is one of the best gangster characters in TV history, and it shouldn't be a surprise that following him throughout all 36 episodes was an absolute treat that never got tiring for even a moment.
Peaky Blinders' worst-rated episodes sit at an 8.0 on IMDb, while the highest reached a 9.5, proving the quality never wavered. While many other shows of similar stature and length fell short on occasion, the British drama overcame the odds, avoiding a single blip.
Peaky Blinders' 36-Episode Run Is Like One Long Movie
Although Peaky Blinders took nearly a decade to complete, the story feels like one long movie split into six distinct acts. Sure, there are time skips, cliffhangers, and changes in direction, but for the most part, the show bounces from one season to another seamlessly and works incredibly well when binge-watching the entire thing.
That's not to say it falters as a TV series, as the weekly tension was electrifying, but compared to other gangster shows, it feels far more theatrical. The Sopranos was clearly designed to be episodic and used that format to have more mellow, comedic outings, whereas Peaky Blinders was always charging headfirst towards the finish line.
As a result, it feels closer to something like The Godfather, albeit with a far longer runtime and a British setting. Obviously, it's pretty much impossible to watch it all in one sitting, but a free week would make watching a season a day possible, providing the ultimate Peaky Blinders movie experience.
The fact that there is no filler and every episode is packed with important plot moments also contributes to the show being so flawless, which is why it works as one continuous, uninterrupted narrative. This made the eventual transition to the big screen for this franchise even easier, resulting in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man being a big success for Netflix.
Even When Changing Formats, Peaky Blinders Didn't Drop The Ball
After concluding in 2022, it seemed like that would be the end for Peaky Blinders, as it finished on a strong note and had a well-received ending that most fans enjoyed. Tommy got a relatively peaceful send-off, and while not permanent, the door closed on most characters' journeys, leaving little need for a follow-up.
Understandably then, the announcement of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man left people feeling excited yet apprehensive, as this format change could've easily gone wrong. Transitioning into the theatrical market made sense given how well-suited the franchise was for the big screen, but it left questions about whether it was worth undoing a satisfying ending.
Ultimately, the answer was yes, as the film performed well during its limited theatrical release and was a big hit on Netflix, where it premiered a few weeks later. Visually, The Immortal Man was stunning, even more so than the TV series, and the story itself was entertaining while setting up the future for Peaky Blinders.
Peaky Blinders currently has several spinoff shows in the works. Release dates are yet to be confirmed.
Not everyone loved Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man's ending, with some feeling like the fate of the Shelby family didn't need to be altered four years later. However, it gave hardcore fans the closure they needed on these characters and did so in a way that felt respectful to the decade-long legacy they'd built.
Overall though, The Immortal Man was the latest success story for Peaky Blinders and confirmed that the IP could adapt its formula without losing any of its quality, cementing this gangster series as an all-time great with almost no flaws whatsoever.