Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, has revealed the real-life figures who inspired the iconic character of Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy. During a Reddit Ask Me Anything session, Knight explained that the character emerged from his subconscious, drawing on memories of his father and uncles.
Knight described the men of that generation as 'locked boxes' who rarely showed emotion. He said: 'I think of Tommy as being locked. If somebody comes across a box that's locked, you want to get in.' The writer added that Tommy occasionally lets viewers in, creating a powerful emotional impact.
The Peaky Blinders were a real street gang active between the 1880s and 1920s, known for organised crime and their distinctive flat caps with razor blades hidden in the peaks. Knight's inspiration came from stories he heard growing up in Birmingham, which he described as a city of makers and understatement.
Knight also addressed why Birmingham was the perfect setting for the series, calling it his hometown and praising its industrial heritage and humble population. He said: 'I just thought I would take on the role of the person who bangs the drum for Birmingham.'
The film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, starring Barry Keoghan as Duke Shelby and Cillian Murphy as Tommy, is currently in cinemas and will be released on Netflix on March 20.
