“Peaky Blinders” is a British crime drama series created by Steven Knight, centered around the Shelby crime family in post-World War I Birmingham. The show, inspired by the real Peaky Blinders gang from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, follows Thomas Shelby and his brothers as they return from the war and seek to expand their criminal empire. As Shelby’s ambitions grow, anyone who stands in his way faces severe consequences.
Where was “Peaky Blinders” Filmed?
Set in the early 1900s, the series features a range of historical backdrops, raising questions about where it was filmed. The show is filmed across various locations in England and Scotland, including West Yorkshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Lancashire, Cheshire, North Yorkshire, Greater London, Northumberland, Derbyshire, and Aberdeenshire. While much of the story is set in Birmingham, the production team uses these diverse locations to create the series’ distinctive atmosphere.
Bradford, England
West Yorkshire: A lot of ‘Peaky Blinders’ was filmed in different cities in West Yorkshire, especially in Bradford. The railway scenes in season 1 were filmed at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, using carriages from the Ingrow Museum of Rail Travel at 39 Damems Lane in Keighley.
The Bradford City Hall in Centenary Square was used for several scenes. Other locations in Bradford include Little Germany, Peel Park, Salts Mill, and the town of Saltaire. Important filming spots also include Dalton Mills in Dalton Lane, King’s Hall & Winter Gardens on Station Road in Ilkley, Undercliffe Cemetery at 127 Undercliffe Lane, and The Bradford Club at 1 Piece Hall Yard. Sadly, Dalton Mills suffered severe fire damage in early March 2022, but officials are working to restore it.
Other Locations in West Yorkshire, England
Leeds and Huddersfield: In Leeds, filming took place at Leeds Town Hall on The Headrow, City Varieties Music Hall on Swan Street, and Braime Pressings on Hunslet Road. Studio 81, located at 71 Kirkstall Road, was also used. The studio has many workstations and studios for filming.
North Light Film Studios on Brooke’s Mill in Huddersfield was used for several scenes. The studio has four main stages for both interior and exterior scenes. Some scenes were also filmed around Brooke’s Mill in Huddersfield.
Liverpool, England
Liverpool is a major filming location for the series. Important scenes were filmed at Stanley Dock, Rodney Street, Upper Duke Street, and Admiral Grove (which stands in for Small Heath). The beach scene with Thomas Shelby and Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy) at the end of season 4 was filmed at Formby Beach on Victoria Road.
Political rally scenes in season 6 were filmed at St. George’s Hall in Liverpool. The church scene with Thomas in season 6 was shot inside Liverpool Cathedral on St. James Mount. Aunt Polly’s house scenes were filmed in Port Sunlight, a model village in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside.
Manchester, England
Many crucial sequences were filmed in Manchester, particularly in Season 6. The horse show scene in which Thomas meets May was filmed at the Victoria Baths on Hathersage Road. The Garrison pub scenes were filmed on a set at Space Studios on Vaughan Street, which has many stages and production facilities. In season 6, Hotel Gotham on 100 King Street served as The Midland Hotel.
Castlefield was utilized to depict 1930s Small Heath, Garrison Lane, and Chinatown. Other filming locations in Manchester include the Northern Quarter and the area outside Manchester Town Hall. Bolton, standing in for London, was also utilized. The meeting hall scene from season 6 was recorded at Salford Lads Club on St. Ignatius Walk in Salford.
West Midlands, England
The Black Country Living Museum on Tipton Road in Dudley was used for some scenes. There were also a few scenes filmed in Birmingham. For important scenes, the team traveled to St. Chad’s Church at 1 St. Chad’s Terrace in Shrewsbury.
Lancashire, England
The luxurious Grays’ mansion scenes in season 6 were filmed inside Ashton Memorial on Williamson Road in Lancaster. Lee Quarry Mountain Bike Trail near Bacup and Stacksteads in Rossendale Valley was used for a pivotal scene. Some scenes were also filmed in Beacon Fell Country Park in Preston.
Cheshire, England
Arley Hall & Gardens in Northwich was used as Thomas Shelby’s manor home. The library there was used for Thomas’ study. Other scenes were filmed in Ellesmere Port.
North Yorkshire, England
North Yorkshire was used for several scenes. Bolton Abbey and Skipton feature in many scenes. Newby Hall & Gardens in Ripon was also used for filming.
Other Locations in England
Chatsworth House in Derbyshire Dales was used as May Carleton’s mansion in season 2. Small Heath scenes were filmed around Powis Street in Woolwich. Mount Street in London and Pilgrim Street in Newcastle upon Tyne were also used.
Portsoy, Scotland
In Scotland, the town of Portsoy in Aberdeenshire was used to represent Newfoundland in season 6. The production team chose Portsoy after searching for the best location.
The show features a cast led by Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, along with Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, and Joe Cole. Many other actors also appeared in the series.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Peaky Blinders
Q: Where was Peaky Blinders filmed?
A: Peaky Blinders was filmed in various locations across England and Scotland. Key filming locations include Bradford and Leeds in West Yorkshire, Liverpool, Manchester, and several sites in the West Midlands. Notable places include the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, Arley Hall & Gardens in Cheshire, and Portsoy in Scotland, which represented Newfoundland.
Q: When was Peaky Blinders filmed?
A: The filming for Peaky Blinders took place over several years. Production for the first season began in 2013 and continued through 2014. Each subsequent season was filmed annually, with the final season, Season 6, wrapping up in 2021. The show’s filming often occurred in different seasons, contributing to the varied and authentic look of the series.
Q: What is the release date of Peaky Blinders?
A: Peaky Blinders premiered on September 12, 2013. Each season was released annually, with the final season, Season 6, premiering on February 27, 2022. The series gained a significant following over its run and concluded with its sixth season, bringing the story of the Shelby family to a close.
Q: Who are the main cast members of Peaky Blinders?
A: The main cast of Peaky Blinders includes Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby, the leader of the Peaky Blinders gang. Helen McCrory played Elizabeth “Polly” Gray, while Paul Anderson portrayed Arthur Shelby. Other key cast members are Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby and Joe Cole as John Shelby. The series also featured Sam Neill, Tom Hardy, Annabelle Wallis, and Anya Taylor-Joy in various roles throughout its run.
Q: Were there any notable guest stars in Peaky Blinders?
A: Yes, Peaky Blinders featured several notable guest stars. Some of the prominent guest stars include Tom Hardy, who played Alfie Solomons, and Anya Taylor-Joy, who appeared as Gina Gray. Other notable guests included Adrien Brody as Luca Changretta and Aidan Gillen as Aberama Gold. Their performances added depth and intrigue to the series.
