Peaky Blinders (2013)

'Peaky Blinders' tells the story of Tommy Shelby and the rise of his criminal organization, the Peaky Blinders. The show is rooted in historical fact (the Blinders were indeed a real street gang at the turn of the 20th century), but what really makes the show so compelling are its great characters, pulpy drama, and the endless battle for power between the Blinders, rival gangs, and political figures. Plus, the show has a stellar cast led by Cillian Murphy, who was joined by Tom Hardy, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sam Neill, among many others.

Peaky Blinders is a mob story, but it’s not just about life in the mob, it’s about the men and women who make up the Shelby family. Inspired by a real-life gang, the show uses actual events to tell a story of how the world shapes and frames the stories of a group of people who are anything but okay—and who have more or less come to terms with it. Less The Godfather and more The Sopranos, but with a period setting, Peaky Blinders can make a serious case for one of the best mob stories ever told.