The 15 Best Peaky Blinders Episodes, Ranked

"Peaky Blinders" has always done a great job of setting a mood and atmosphere, and that was apparent during the very first episode. It's still very impressive how much the pilot accomplishes in its first hour. Considering the seasons are only six episodes each, "Peaky Blinders" didn't give itself much room to waste time. For the first installment of the series, this included taking on the difficult challenge of introducing the show's extensive cast of characters. It also had to establish the unique challenges that Tommy Shelby would undergo as a leader. 

The episode brilliantly shows Tommy's cunning nature and sense of loyalty. After pretending to execute the traumatized veteran Danny (Samuel Edward-Cook), Tommy secretly transports him to London and welcomes him to the Peaky Blinders gang. This shows that Tommy remains haunted by his experiences in the war; he doesn't want to sacrifice a fellow soldier like Danny, because he knows exactly what he is going through. The first episode also marks the critical introduction of Tommy's love interest, Grace Burgess (Annabelle Wallis). Although Tommy doesn't like to show his emotions in public, he and Grace are instantly attracted to each other.

Due to the way that the "Peaky Blinders" seasons are constructed, there tend to be many season finales and beginnings near the top of this list. Each season typically starts by introducing a new thorn in Tommy's side, and wraps up with a climactic confrontation with his latest opponent. However, that doesn't mean that all the episodes in between are simply filler. The third episode of the second season does a great job showing Tommy engaging in a battle of wits against his latest rival, the mobster Darby Sabini (Noah Taylor).

Sabini was a very different antagonist than Inspector Chester Campbell (Sam Neill) from the first season. While Campbell was a governmental figure who was attempting to bring Tommy and his gang to justice, Sabini was a street-level enemy who wasn't afraid to fight dirty. He was willing to cut corners like Tommy was, and in many ways, he was even more ruthless. In this episode, Sabini's men murder one of the Peaky Blinders' new recruits. Tommy's gang had hired the young boy, Harold Hancox, but when he is imprisoned, Sabini's goons take him out. Sabini's men strike again when Tommy and the gang take cousin Michael Gray (Finn Cole) home from a horse auction. Although Arthur (Paul Anderson) saves Tommy from being assassinated, it's clear that the war is just beginning.

The final season of "Peaky Blinders" had to deal with a difficult challenge that had nothing to do with the show itself. Although Polly was set up to be a major part of the final set of episodes, the great British actress Helen McCrory tragically passed away before the delayed production start of Season 6. It was absolutely heartbreaking for the cast, crew, and fans of the series. Not only was Polly set up for an exciting character arc in the show's conclusion, but McCrory's death meant that the show would be missing something. McCrory added something very special to "Peaky Blinders," and recasting her would not feel respectful.

Showrunner Steven Knight considered many options on how to incorporate McCrory's death into the show's narrative. He had initially considered making Polly canonically alive with the explanation for her on-screen absence that she had been sent on a mission to America. However, Knight realized that Polly was too important of a character to simply be written out of the main plot. He decided that Polly would be killed off in the series. Polly and a few of the Peaky Blinders' associates are murdered for their part in the staged assassination of Mosley, and her absence is intentionally felt throughout the remaining episodes. 

The first season of "Peaky Blinders" goes out with a bang. Although the final cliffhanger was certainly a great hook to get fans interested in watching another season, the entire episode is packed with memorable moments that show the gang at the height of their powers. Although the Shelbys frequently quarrel, it's exciting to see them put their minds together to pull off a daring scheme. Danny, who Tommy saved in the first episode, returns to help the gang break Freddie Thorne (Iddo Goldberg) out of prison in one of the show's most exciting action sequences.

Freddie and Tommy have had their differences in the past, but the communist activist comes to Tommy's aid in the episode's climatic battle. The British gangster Billy Kimber (Charlie Creed-Miles) and his men surround and outnumber the Peaky Blinders. However, Freddie brings in the machine guns that were stolen to make things a fair fight. Although the stage is set for open war, only a few characters perish. Billy brutally shoots Danny, but Tommy gets his revenge by killing Billy.

The second season introduced one of the most fearsome antagonists in the history of the show: Luca Changretta. An Italian-American gangster with a personal vendetta against the Shelbys, Luca is the one character in the series who is as smart as Tommy. Luca was portrayed by Adrien Brody, the Academy Award-winning star of "The Pianist," and many other great films. Getting an actor of Brody's caliber to show up on "Peaky Blinders" signified that the show was in a class of its own. Brody completely captures the essence of a wicked mobster, who is willing to use any means necessary to get his revenge.

At the end of "The Noose," Luca and his men launched a surprise attack, leaving the fate of Michael and John unclear. "Heathens" reveals that while Michael survived the assault, John was killed, serving as a good decision for the trajectory of the series. Although John was an entertaining character, he hadn't been developed as thoroughly as Tommy and Arthur, and there was little more that he could do that would be interesting. Killing him off showed that Luca could hit the Shelbys and make it hurt, and signified that the series would continue to raise the stakes moving forward.

"The Company" ended with a moment that "Peaky Blinders" fans almost definitely didn't see coming: it has a happy ending! Of course, this victory for the Shelbys only arrives after a hard-fought battle. The opening sequence is one of the most suspenseful in the entire run of the series. As the Peaky Blinders gather for a boxing match, it appears that Arthur might be killed. Arthur had been a part of the show since the beginning, but this was the season that also saw the death of John. Could the Shelby family survive another tragic loss?

Thankfully, Arthur's death is faked, and he returns at just the right moment to kill Luca, ending Adrien Brody's excellent run on the series. It's a satisfying moment that gives the Shelbys a second to celebrate. Additionally, after receiving a critical piece of information from Alfie (Tom Hardy), Tommy uses the leverage to gain political power and he is elected as a member of parliament.

The series finale had a lot to live up to. Between Michael's operation, the fascists, and Tommy's personal illness, the Peaky Blinders had been dealing with a lot in the final stretch of episodes. Instead of ending with an epic, "Game of Thrones" style open battle, "Lock and Key" isolates the action to a few shootouts. These suspenseful sequences were perfect for the tone of the series, as it felt like many of the beloved characters could be killed at any moment.

Arthur is pinned down in Garrison Lane by the IRA assassins, but he manages to elude and kill them, allowing him to avenge Polly's death. In a drawn-out sequence, Tommy confronts Michael for his crimes against the family. Once again, Polly's prediction comes true: Michael is killed by Tommy, and his companions are detonated by an IRA bomb. The end of the episode teases that Tommy may take his own life before he succumbs to his supposed illness. However, Tommy realizes the diagnosis was fake, so he ultimately sets off on another adventure. 

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.

"Peaky Blinders" has a ton of great characters, but it really is Tommy's story. The show is at its best when Tommy has to reckon with potentially losing his life. In the second season finale, Tommy begins to settle the family business in case he is killed. This reveals how Tommy values his family more than his own life, and he's willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. However, Tommy is ultimately spared when he receives some unexpected assistance from Winston Churchill.

The episode also includes an incredibly satisfying moment where Polly kills Inspector Campbell. Campbell had assaulted Polly earlier in the season, so it was cathartic to see her get revenge. However, Polly is still left to wonder about her son's future when Michael officially declares that he wants to join the Peaky Blinders. Michael has steadily grown accustomed to Tommy's lifestyle, and he's finally prepared to officially contribute to the family business, adding to the tension and intrigue of this stellar episode.