The Ultimate Ranking of Peaky Blinders Seasons: From Worst to Best

Summary

Peaky Blinders season 6 was a mixed bag and fell short of the show's standards due to personal problems plaguing Tommy and lack of major adversaries.

In Season 5, the narrative predominantly revolved around business, politics, and gang conflicts. However, it fell short in terms of generating the same level of excitement as the previous seasons, leading to more lackluster moments.

On the other hand, Season 4 stood out as the pinnacle of the series. It featured a captivating antagonist, a straightforward yet impactful plot, and remarkable action sequences, making it the undisputed highlight of the show.

With the conclusion of the show, fans now have the opportunity to reflect on the ranking of the Peaky Blinders seasons. Starting in 2013, Peaky Blinders depicted the story of Tommy Shelby and his family, who lead a gang of criminals in England during the early 1900s. This gritty crime drama enthralled viewers with its compelling characters, unpredictable plotlines, and a protagonist who was one of television's most complex anti-heroes. The show's sixth and final season recently aired on BBC in 2022, allowing fans to reassess Peaky Blinders as a whole.

Although the series has come to an end, the tale of Tommy Shelby continues in the promised Peaky Blinders movie. Nevertheless, the six seasons still offer a complete narrative encompassing both high points and low points. Many devoted fans will confess to being captivated by Peaky Blinders from start to finish, but even they would acknowledge that certain seasons surpass others in quality. By considering factors such as the overall storyline, the journey of Tommy and his family, and the adversities they confront, these enthusiastic viewers can now evaluate and rank the Peaky Blinders seasons from least impressive to best.

6 Season 6

Season 6 of Peaky Blinders generated significant anticipation as viewers were eager to see where the story would progress. However, the final season left many disappointed, failing to deliver a satisfying conclusion. Despite this, the season did have its redeeming qualities. An emotionally impactful opening scene showcased Tommy's realization of the tragic consequences resulting from his attempted assassination of Oswald Mosley, including the death of Aunt Polly.

Nevertheless, the season falls short of the high standards set by the show for a few reasons. Primarily, rather than facing challenges from external adversaries, Tommy is burdened by personal issues throughout the season. In contrast to previous seasons, there is a notable absence of a substantial opposing force for the Birmingham gangster to confront. The presence of Mosley is limited, and the anticipated conflict between Tommy and Michael, which was meant to be a central focus, is disappointingly brushed aside without Michael ever posing a genuine threat. The concluding moments, while potentially poetic for Tommy's character, feel more like an unresolved pause leading into a future film.

5 Season 5

In Season 5, Peaky Blinders takes a new direction as Tommy Shelby strives for social advancement. Unfortunately, the collapse of the U.S. stock market negatively impacts the gang's businesses, which Michael is blamed for, creating tension between him and Tommy. Along the way, Tommy forms an uneasy alliance with Oswald Mosley and develops a friendship with Winston Churchill. Influenced by Churchill, Tommy attempts to assassinate Mosley, but the plan ultimately fails.

Season 5 delves into the complexities of business, politics, and gang rivalries. Watching Tommy navigate his dilemma of avoiding the British Union of Fascists is intriguing. It is also refreshing to see a villain outsmart Tommy without resorting to violence. However, the shift into the realm of politics in the show is not as captivating as the ruthless world of gangsters portrayed in earlier seasons. As a result, Season 5 has more lackluster moments compared to previous seasons of Peaky Blinders.

4 Season 1

The Peaky Blinders begin with an exhilarating start by seizing a stockpile of weapons from an arms factory. However, they soon discover that the weapons actually belong to the government and were intended for export to Libya. Winston Churchill's Peaky Blinders counterpart, alarmed by the situation, dispatches Inspector Campbell of the Royal Irish Constabulary to recover the weapons, sparking a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse between Campbell and Tommy. Meanwhile, Tommy develops a romantic connection with Grace, an undercover agent working for Campbell. Additionally, tensions escalate as Tommy confronts rival gangster Billy Kimber, leading to an impending conflict.

In this early season, the show is still finding its direction and occasionally struggles to establish a clear focus. Unlike the subsequent seasons, there are several storylines introduced here that do not carry over to the following season. Nevertheless, the show captivates viewers with its gritty and tense atmosphere. Tommy emerges as a captivating protagonist, while the supporting characters, particularly Aunt Polly, who serves as the core of the Peaky Blinders, also prove to be intriguing additions.

3 Season 3

Tommy's troubles escalate as the evil priest, Father Hughes, manipulates the Peaky Blinders and Alfie's loyalty proves to be questionable. The season delivers explosive and challenging story arcs that test Tommy and his family. Grace's untimely death sets Tommy on a dark path, leading to a captivating and unsettling journey throughout the season. Even his closest allies begin to doubt how far he will go. The revelation of Father Hughes as a malicious adversary adds unexpected depth to the storyline, thanks to Paddy Considine's outstanding performance. The destructive nature of the season culminates in a shocking finale, where Tommy's actions result in the arrest and possible execution of his most trusted allies.

2 Season 2

Part of the reason why season 4 of Peaky Blinders stands out is the introduction of key new characters. Polly's son, Michael, reunites with her, while May becomes Tommy's new love interest in Grace's absence. However, the standout addition to Peaky Blinders is Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy), a Jewish gangster who forms a partnership with Tommy and anyone else who can offer him something valuable. Alfie greatly enhances the series, attracting new viewers with Hardy's star power and delivering memorable dialogue. His quotes are exceptional, inspiring other characters to step up their game.

The ongoing storyline and compelling characters create numerous outstanding moments. Campbell becomes a more intimidating and ruthless villain, leading to a final showdown with the family. The finale features a gripping scene where Tommy faces execution, showcasing Cillian Murphy's finest performance as Tommy Shelby throughout the entire series.

1 Season 4

One of the major reasons why season 4 of Peaky Blinders is considered the best is because it introduces a compelling villain who truly challenges Tommy and the rest of the gang. Mobster Luca Changretta, played by Adrien Brody, arrives in Birmingham with the sole purpose of avenging his father's murder at the hands of the Blinders. Changretta's men successfully kill John, proving that he is capable of reaching the family where many others have failed. However, Tommy still has some tricks up his sleeve, including important connections in America.

In terms of the plot, season 4 offers a simple yet highly effective narrative. The focus mainly revolves around the hunter versus hunted dynamic, but Brody's portrayal of Luca Changretta adds an extra layer of threat. He brilliantly embodies a predator circling its prey, constantly keeping the audience on edge. Additionally, the season's action sequences surpass those in other parts of the series, making them stand out. The return of Alfie Solomons also deserves praise, especially due to the entertaining interactions between Tom Hardy and Adrien Brody in significant scenes.

The Future Of Peaky Blinders

The Peaky Blinders series may have ended, but there are still new developments on the horizon. The forthcoming movie will carry on with the story, and it will be intriguing to see how it compares to the ranked seasons of Peaky Blinders. Perhaps, it will offer a more satisfying conclusion than season 6, wrapping up loose ends in a more definitive and conclusive manner. At this time, no release date has been confirmed, and even the series creator, Steven Knight, has mentioned that it may not mark the official end.

The rankings of Peaky Blinders seasons may remain unchanged, but the potential for the movie and future sequels to be the best, worst, or somewhere in between within the franchise is an intriguing thought. What makes the film, as well as any subsequent installments, fascinating is the opportunity for a grander scale. While the TV series achieved remarkable feats, transferring the story to the big screen will undoubtedly amplify its already impressive cinematic qualities.