Five Things That Would Be Different About Peaky Blinders If It Was Set in 2021

The best television shows transcend time. You can watch them 10, 20, even 40 years after they first aired, and they somehow still appeal to audiences, old and new. Comedy gives us some obvious examples. For instance, watch a classic British series like Only Fools and Horses, and you’ll laugh as uproariously today as audiences did when the show was first broadcast in 1981.

Other shows don’t stand the test of time as well. While the concept may remain intriguing, their original incarnation grows outdated, hence the reason for so many of British TV’s most popular reboots (Poldark, we’re looking at you).

It’s not only when a show was created that’s important, but when it was set too. While some themes and storylines always retain their relevance, others are much more dependent on their setting to maintain their special brand of magic. In these instances, it can be incredibly interesting to imagine certain shows might be if they were set in another time.

For no other reason than our enjoyment, that’s the treatment we’ve decided to give to BBC2 megahit Peaky Blinders. Loosely based on real historical figures in the UK, the series has established itself as a firm favourite for spectators all over the world.

Famous flatcaps

The sartorial elegance of the Peaky Blinders is more than just a fashion statement – it’s an integral symbol of the gang’s machismo. Swap their famous headgear for baseball caps or bandanas, and this unique weapon wouldn’t seem half as terrifying.

Trackside betting

A lot of the gang’s early storylines turn around their trackside betting rings, but in the 21st century, most of the action has moved online. The Blinders’ market activity would have no chance of competing.

If someone were interested in having a flutter today, they’d head online and check out a directory site to locate someone reputable. They might even find this provider outside of the UK and in a country like Denmark, where new casinos are appearing all of the time. Using a site like BonusFinder, they could even benefit from a welcome bonus to make playing more economical. Now, you’re not limited to the trackside as all of these new casinos are available on mobile.

Tommy’s post-war storyline

Some of the storylines in Peaky Blinders are really important as social and cultural commentary, and that includes Tommy’s post-war experience.

Primarily featuring in season one, Tommy is shown to be struggling while acclimatising to the world after serving as a soldier. The protagonist has to accept some sense of vulnerability and the fact that he needs help, though this is particularly challenging because of the era and ideas about masculinity.

If Peaky Blinders was set in 2021, however, it would be very different. There’d be emphasis on the many different options available for support and treatment, leading to a vastly altered outcome.

Attitudes towards women

Who can forget how difficult Ada had it at times? Or Polly’s woes?

While the show has plenty of strong women, so much of their arcs revolve around the hardships they experience as a result of societal stigma. The women’s stories are often marginalised, on account of the fact that the men are higher in status, control the narrative and drive the action.

Though the storylines were great, the suffering of our favourite female characters is something we could do without.

Those incredible cars

On a lighter note, what would Peaky Blinders be without those incredible cars? While we know their modern counterparts would also look great, there’s something about that antique motor aesthetic that we wouldn’t be without. This is one 21st century change we definitely don’t wish to see.

Which period TV show do you think would change the most if it was turned on its head and transported to a modern-day setting?