Peaky Blinders is nearing its final bow with a sixth season that will premiere on June 10. The Shelby brothers leave a trail of blood and broken lives, yet their enemies grow more formidable as the years pass. Tommy and his crew will be missed for the clashes that defined their rule, but the gangsters who ran Birmingham in the early 20th century have more ways to adapt than you might think. Here is a curated list of eight series that echo the spirit of Peaky Blinders. Some carry a retro sensibility, others are fresh today, but all feature characters who operate beyond the boundaries of the law.
London Gangs
Not set in the Roaring Twenties, Gangs of London borrows much from the mood of Peaky Blinders. Creator Steven Knight threads a family saga through the London underworld where violence and ambition collide. One familiar face returns in a new role: Joe Cole, known for his portrayal of John Shelby, appears here as Sean Wallace, a young man thrust into power after his father is murdered. The city’s criminal empire shifts as a fragile balance of power is tested by brutal rivals and costly feuds. Gareth Evans directs the high-octane sequences that give the show its distinctive grit, while the stakes remain relentlessly personal and bloody. The series invites fans of dark, interconnected crime dramas to witness a modern take on a classic genre.
King of Warsaw
Presented with a Linnaean flair reminiscent of Peaky Blinders, this drama unfolds in Warsaw during the interwar era before the Second World War. A sharp-witted Jewish boxer, the trusted lieutenant to a gangster with a socialist edge, aspires to claim supreme control in the Polish capital. The plot threads through intrigue, power struggles, and a city under pressure as a new order begins to take shape. The intensity and period flavor offer a compelling parallel for fans who relish the show’s mood and strategic battles between rivals.
Empire of Wood
Martin Scorsese lends his signature touch to a grand five-season saga set in the United States during the Prohibition era. The Atlantic City underworld is brought to life as Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson shapes the rules of a city on the edge. With a cast that includes historically inspired figures such as Lucky Luciano, Al Capone, and Arnold Rothstein, the series offers a richly textured portrayal of crime, politics, and ambition. The storytelling blends lavish period detail with hard-hitting criminal intrigue, making it a natural companion for Peaky Blinders fans seeking a sprawling, character-driven epic. The series is available on HBO Max for those seeking an immersive historical crime narrative.
Sopranos
If there is a canonical touchstone for crime drama, it’s The Sopranos. Created by David Chase, the show infuses dark humor with searing drama as Tony Soprano navigates murder, power plays, illegal schemes, family obligations, and therapy sessions. The series paints a vivid portrait of a New Jersey clan grappling with loyalty and menace, anchored by Gandolfini’s unforgettable performance. Across six seasons, viewers ride a roller coaster of tension, family conflict, and brutal decisions. It remains a benchmark for modern television crime storytelling and is widely acclaimed for its enduring influence.
Gomorrah
From Italy’s birthplace of the modern mafia, Gomorrah stands as a stark, unflinching exploration of the Camorra. Based on Roberto Saviano’s acclaimed book, the series follows rival clans contending for control over illicit networks in Naples. The ferocity, realism, and depth of character drive a narrative of loyalty, betrayal, and revenge. The show’s unvarnished portrayal of organized crime earned international attention and even led to threats against Saviano. It remains a definitive, gritty look at a criminal world that mirrors the ruthlessness seen in Peaky Blinders, but with its own distinct regional flavor.
Tokyo Vice
While the Yakuza operate with a different rhythm than Birmingham gangs, Tokyo Vice shares the same appetite for risk, leverage, and power. Based on Jake Adelstein’s memoirs, the HBO Max series follows a budding American crime journalist who dives into Tokyo’s underworld in the 1990s. He becomes the first foreign reporter accepted into the inner circle of Japan’s largest newspaper, a breakthrough that places him in the middle of dangerous confrontations between rival gangs. The show blends investigative grit with atmospheric crime drama and offers a compelling cross-cultural perspective on crime journalism.
Animal Kingdom
Starring Finn Cole, who plays a member of a California crime family, Animal Kingdom centers on a teenage boy drawn into his relatives’ criminal schemes after the death of his mother. The matriarch of the clan, portrayed by Ellen Barkin, leads a web of deception and violence as the boy tries to navigate a dangerous new world. The series portrays a tight-knit crew whose loyalties are tested by money, power, and the ever-present threat of law enforcement. Set in the sun-drenched yet morally shadowy corners of the American West Coast, it offers a tense, character-driven look at a family whose bonds are both a shield and a weapon.
Taboo
Steven Knight again crafts a dark, atmospheric tale that expands on the Peaky Blinders ethos. The series follows a roguish protagonist who returns home after a decade abroad to claim his late father’s enterprise, forging alliances with uneasy rivals along the way. Set against a bleak London backdrop at the turn of the 19th century, the show interweaves brutal violence with a faint supernatural undertone, enhancing the mythic quality of the outlaw character. The result is a moody, multileveled drama that fans of Knight’s signature style will likely find irresistible.