‘Peaky Blinders’ Season 6: Creator Steven Knight Hints the Series Will End With World War II Scene
Shelby family fans can’t wait for Peaky Blinders Season 6. The TV show follows Thomas Shelby and the rest of his siblings as they take on fellow gangs and political rivals. While Tommy appears stone-faced through much adversity, he has moments of psychological upheaval. This is largely due to his time serving in World War I. And creator Steven Knight notes the war theme comes full circle, as the final scene of the series surrounds World War II.
‘Peaky Blinders’ contains a number of World War I flashbacks
While Peaky Blinders tells a fictional tale, there are multiple aspects that hold historical accuracy. The Peaky Blinders were a real gang — though they were prevalent in the 1890s. This differs from the show. Tommy, Arthur, and John Shelby all fought in World War I, which took place between 1914 and 1918. Screen Rant notes the show begins in 1919, the year after the war ended.
Fans on Reddit did their best to figure out which war battles Tommy and the other Shelby brothers fought in. “Tommy was in the battle of Verdun, the Battle of the Somme, and the Battle of Mons,” one fan noted. The same fan noted Arthur fought in the Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme, and he was likely part of the Gallipoli campaign. “John was a machine gunner/cavalry as a soldier of Warwickshire Yeomanry,” they added.
Tommy and Arthur become deeply affected by the post-traumatic stress disorder they developed as a result of the war, too. It may manifest even more for Tommy in Peaky Blinders Season 6.
Steven Knight hinted the series will end with a scene from World War II
While fans see the Shelbys navigate life after World War I, it seems Peaky Blinders Season 6 will likely end just before World War II. World War II began in 1939.
Express.co.uk notes back in 2019, Tommy Shelby actor Cillian Murphy and Knight talked about the events the show would cover over time. “The events that led up to the beginning of World War II,” Murphy answered.
Additionally, Knight once spoke to Express.co.uk about where the series will end. “I set off with a destination usually,” he explained. “The main destination is the end of the whole thing, which is the start of the Second World War.” He then noted he knows what the final scene will look like. “And I know what scene that is going to be, I know how it’s going to end.”
Is ‘Peaky Blinders’ Season 6 the last? Show creators talked about the series ending
While the show creators didn’t originally intend for Peaky Blinders Season 6 to be the last, it seems the series will end after the new season releases.
“This final season of our beloved Peaky Blinders is going to be the best one yet,” executive producer Caryn Mandabach told Deadline. “Steve’s [Knight] uncanny ability to be prescient about world events is only matched by his ability to make Tommy Shelby the most indelible character of our times.”
With that said, more could be in store for the Shelbys. The show might end, but the family could live on in another form, like a movie. Director Anthony Byrne talked about how the show is “not done yet” despite finalizing filming for season 6.
Production wrapped for season 6, so we’re hoping for the premiere by the end of 2021.
Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook!
