Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer
Menu
Menu
TV Show

12 Shows Like Peaky Blinders for Fans of Stylish Gangster Dramas

January 13, 2023
Shows like Peaky Blinders

Without a doubt, Peaky Blinders ranks among the most riveting and intriguing TV shows to be released in recent years. Unfortunately, we said goodbye to this brilliant show and its iconic main character Thomas Shelby in season 6. However, if you miss it all, we have created a list of 12 incredible shows like Peaky Blinders that will help keep the show’s spirit alive.

Thomas Shelby is born to Irish Traveller and Romani family and leads the Birmingham criminal gang ‘Peaky Blinders’ and the Shelby Family. The biggest gang in the Midlands at the close of the 19th century, called by the same name, served as the show’s inspiration. Peaky Blinders is packed with excellent performances, breath-taking cinematography, extremely cool dialogues and accents that don’t leave the mind for weeks.

List of TV Shows Like Peaky Blinders

  1. Gangs Of London
  2. Boardwalk Empire
  3. The Sopranos 
  4. Taboo
  5. Sons Of Anarchy
  6. Animal Kingdom
  7. Breaking Bad
  8. SAS Rogue Heroes
  9. The Alienist
  10. Penny Dreadful
  11. True Detective
  12. Narcos

1. Gangs Of London (2020)

From the very first episode, Gangs Of London grabs your attention and rarely ever eases up. Featuring Joe Cole a.k.a John Shelby as the main character, this gritty British gangster drama has all the features you could hope for to ensure a great experience: a strong scenery-chewing cast, an enticing nail-biting plot, Jaw-Dropping brutal violence, excellent cinematography, sharp editing, and A blast of absolutely stunning and unmatched action sequences to blow your mind away.

Gangs Of London is an impressive tv show with the potential to be great under the direction of Gareth Evans. However, as much as I love the energy of Joe in this one, I am still biased over him in the Shelby Fam. But if you are like me and missing Joe Cole in shows like Peaky Blinders then Gangs Of London is the perfect recommendation for you!

2. Boardwalk Empire (2010)

Covering the prohibition era in the US and all of the shady, underground figures that emerged during that period, Boardwalk Empire is an incredible show. Being visually incredible, the essence of the period is captured with amazing set designs and costumes. The script is flawless, sharp and filled with all the gangster lingo you would expect!

The camera and editing work is very creative with a lot of unique shots and edits. All of this is, of course, rounded up by a cast that is flawless from the starring players to the supporting ones, headlined by the impeccable Steve Buscemi who is a scene stealer from the pilot until the last frames of the finale. Boardwalk Empire is a little bit lengthy but surely at par with Gangster shows like Peaky Blinders. 

Also Read: Shows like Bates Motel

3. The Sopranos (1999)

This HBO drama series is centred on New Jersey crime boss Tony Soprano. Over the course of 6 seasons, we see the criminal activities that Tony, and his associates are involved in; his home life with his wife and two children and the sessions he has with psychiatrist Dr Jennifer Melfi. While crime is an important part of the story it is more a character study of the characters; their motives, concerns and frequent paranoia.

The Sopranos examines how things like violence, anger, narcissism, and toxic masculinity play in society and how they affect everyone, being very similar to Peaky Blinders in that sense. Tommy Shelby and Tony Soprano share many similar traits, they’re both crime bosses and not to mention their family is the most important thing to them. The Sopranos is one of the best shows similar to Peaky Blinders you can ever watch. 

4. Taboo (2017)

Tom Hardy, who appeared in an episode of Peaky Blinders as Alfie – the worthy component to Thomas Shelby, explores the dark, grim world of London as James Delaney after returning back from Africa to mourn his father’s death in this show called Taboo.

The time period for this show, for me personally, sets the entire mood. It really gives off a sort of Old London, “Jack the Ripper” feel. The whole ambience of grim fantasy is somewhat similar to Peaky Blinders. Tom Hardy plays a great strong-mysterious guy, while all the other characters are incredibly complex. Taboo is a great series like Peaky Blinders.

5. Sons Of Anarchy (2018)

Sons of Anarchy is about a biker club in a small town called Charming. The bikers spend their time going about their regular lives which happen to be intertwined with all sorts of criminal activities and more often than not, these activities lead to brutal circumstances, which warrants a warning for the faint-hearted. The show is Peaky Blinders but in a different era.

There are so many deeply layered characters entrenched constantly in battles of love, hate, revenge, redemption, family, and brotherhood all built around an absolutely amazing story, cast, and soundtrack spanning 7 seasons. In my opinion, this is the most engaging series similar to Peaky Blinders. 

6. Animal Kingdom (2016)

This show has a similar concept with a character-driven crime drama revolving around the misdemeanour of an entire family— but with the twist of a more modern setting. It is a kind of Peaky Blinders set at sea. Fin Cole (Micheal Gray) plays Joshua in this series and while he physically looks the same, he certainly shows his skills throughout this show. 

The violence of Animal Kingdom is at par with Peaky Blinders, with many different layers of stories happening at the same time. This series begins with you following a young man who tragically loses his mom to drugs. He seeks out his grandmother and uncles to live with and is very quickly pulled into their world, a family who has built their lives around crime- heist crimes. A terrific series like Peaky Blinders, Animal Kingdom is a must-watch!

7. Breaking Bad (2008)

The thrilling drama Breaking Bad looks at Walter White, a chemistry teacher, who decides to take a step into darkness- dealing with the consequences, he and others have to suffer because of that. Much like Peaky Blinders, this show has in-depth character development, action, and most importantly, a criminal whom audiences can’t help but root for.

Interestingly, in a way, Peaky turns into Breaking Bad in season 6 when Tommy Shelby is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tuberculoma. Breaking Bad is regarded by many as one of the best shows of all time and as a fan of TV shows like Peaky Blinders, I would highly recommend it!

Also Read: Shows like Dahmer

8. SAS Rogue Heroes (2022)

The creator of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight explores the SAS Rogue Heroes, depicting the founding of the Special Air Service in WWII in his new drama series. Set in 1941 in Cairo, Egypt features a range of British actors including Game Of Thrones’s Theon as Alfie Allen, and The Crown’s Dominick West. 

SAS Rogue Heroes action-packed style and tone is unsurprisingly familiar to Peaky Blinders , Knight himself mentioned that he finds the characters of both the shows to essentially be ‘A group of men that don’t find it easy to fit in a conventional society.’ As a fan of a drama series like Peaky Blinders, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one. 

9. The Alienist (2018)

The Alienist is an intriguing show that depicts 19th-century New York in a wonderful way. The impressive set production and costume design enhance the differences between wealthy and poor, justice and corruption, and decency and depravity. Here we get to observe a team of smart individuals using cutting-edge techniques to profile a horrifying murderer while being constrained by corruption and inadequate equipment. 

Every episode is filled with absolutely brilliant mystery that reveals itself in a progressive manner often accompanied by grisly details. The quest for finding the real killer, his motives, his past are the real unique elements of this show. Similar to TV shows like Peaky Blinders, this will make for an awesome watch. 

10. Penny Dreadful (2014)

There is a certain attitude and overall ambience in these two series that make them so similar, in addition to the fact that they both star the wonderful and sadly missed Helen McCrory as the mischievous and severe aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders and the enigmatic and humble Madame Kali in Penny Dreadful. 

Although they cover a wide range of subjects, the effect is surprisingly similar. If you enjoyed shows like Peaky Blinders, you should watch Penny Dreadful because it will make you feel uneasy, tense, and curious about what will happen next. The cherry on top of recommendations for this supernatural Victorian TV series is excellent casting with carefully selected performers.

11. True Detective (2014)

True Detective is a murder mystery set in small-town southern America, focusing on a dedicated cop who drinks too much, letting the case burrow under his skin as he chases answers across multiple time periods. But underneath, it’s about more than that – it’s about personal demons, good and evil, the soul, American identity, memory, and time. And as the case progresses, a conspiracy slowly comes into focus. Already seen this excellent series? Check out more shows like True Detective.

Unarguably superior and rich with content. This is gritty, real and compelling. True Detective asks the questions other shows are too afraid to. Along with talented actors like Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as the main roles, you can expect some A-level acting similar to the series Peaky Blinder’s Cillian Murphy.

12. Narcos (2015)

Narcos is a popular series following the Colombian drug lords as they rise to power and earn billions of dollars selling cocaine to Americans, as well as the DEA’s efforts to bring them to justice. There is a lot more action here but the political chess and creative smuggling is very compelling. 

The blending of suspension and drama with the actual reality is astoundingly pleasing. The narration and the real footage give this series an extra dimension. The amount of effort put into this show is just tremendous. The scenes are perfectly dramatized and keep you tied to the show. Be sure to take a look at Narcos if you are looking for shows like Peaky Blinders. 

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few shows like Peaky Blinders that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Ripper Street
  2. Ozark
  3. The Making Of The Mob
Share Post

When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
Similar Lists