Peaky Blinders parents guide: Is the Cillian Murphy starrer British crime drama suitable for kids?

Steven Knight's 2013 British crime series Peaky Blinders saw record-breaking success when it debuted (and gained recognition) on Netflix US in 2015-2016. Star Cillian Murphy, who plays the lead Birmingham leader Tommy Shelby in the show, confessed that he was in awe of the fan reaction and was baffled to see how the gangster saga transformed from a small Irish production to a Global phenomenon.

While Knight's historical series concluded after a six-season run in April 2022, Tommy Shelby's return is confirmed with the upcoming film The Immortal Man and the recently announced two-season sequel series.

With Peaky Blinders gaining momentum in pop culture and streaming, parents are bound to question whether the show is suitable for kids. The simple answer is no. Knight's 1920s-set Birmingham crime series is rated TV-MA and unfit for a young audience.

More on this in our story.

Peaky Blinders parents guide: Cillian Murphy's gangster drama is TV-MA rated

Due to its crude language, violence and severe profanity, Peaky Blinders is rated TV-MA in the USA, meaning the show is only suitable for a mature audience. Additionally, Murphy's gangster drama is rated 16+ (and even 18+) in many countries like Singapore, India, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Australia.

TV-MA rating is usually awarded to TV shows that feature one or a combination of elements from explicit sexual activity, crude language and violence. Steven Knight's popular period drama series features all three (and more) elements in extreme measures and thus should not be streamed by young children.

A title like Peaky Blinders, which has gained popularity thanks to its Netflix debut in the US and the star power of recent Oscar winner Cillian Murphy, is bound to pop up on your children's streaming devices. However, the show contains very mature themes and extreme use of strong language and substance abuse, justifying the mature rating awarded in many countries.

Things to look out for before you stream Peaky Blinders with your kids

Let's look at some parameters that make Knight's 2013 historical series inappropriate for a young audience:

Extreme violence and gore: Every 36 episodes of Peaky Blinders is a blood bath featuring gang fights and street brawls between various Birmingham gangs. Tommy and his brothers strategically conceal razors under their caps, literally 'blinding' their enemies at any chance they get. Expect brutal on-screen stabbing, throat-slashing, gunshots, extreme blood and disfigured faces in the show. Some of the blood and gore featured might be too extreme even for a mature audience, let alone children.

Explicit sexual content and n*dity: Cillian Murphy's gangster saga features partial and even full n*dity in many scenes where characters are involved in physical intimacy. Considering the time period of the show, the characters frequently visit br*thels and engage in casual s*x. Additionally, the series features sexual assault and r*pe, including a disturbing r*pe attempt on Aunt Polly by Campbell.

Profanity: A casual episode in Peaky Blinders is peppered with swear and abusive words like f**k, s**t and c**t. Half of Tommy Shelby's vocabulary is made up of swear words, making the show extremely profane.

Substance use: Lastly, Peaky Blinders is heavy on alcohol and substance use. Opium and substance abuse are heavily featured in the show's narrative. Almost all the characters (including teenagers) are addicts and use them constantly in every episode. Additionally, Tommy Shelby drinks whiskey and constantly smokes cigarettes in almost every scene. Reportedly, over 5000 cigarettes were smoked during six seasons of the show, making it completely unfit for a young audience.

Trending

Peaky Blinders features an antihero as its protagonist and explores complex social and political themes in 1920s Birmingham. Every main character of the show is morally ambiguous and the show features no role models for young minds to look up to. While a mature audience can appreciate the nuanced and layered narrative of Steven Knight's series, a young mind cannot fathom its complexities.

For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback