Peaky Blinders fans awaiting the upcoming movie can bridge the gap with Gangs of London, a brutal modern crime drama set in the UK’s capital. Starring Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders’ John Shelby), Gangs of London offers a similar gritty atmosphere but with a contemporary edge.
With Gangs of London’s third season confirmed for release on Sky Atlantic in March, viewers have two months to catch up on the 17 existing episodes. Even seasoned viewers might benefit from a rewatch, as the show’s intricate plot, much like Peaky Blinders, can be easy to lose track of.
While sharing the gangster genre with Peaky Blinders, Gangs of London presents a different world. Instead of the interwar era’s Birmingham setting, the series plunges into modern London’s underworld, where Albanian, Georgian, and Algerian mobs challenge the Wallace Organization, headed by Joe Cole’s Sean Wallace. Cole trades his flat cap for a leather jacket and his razor blade for a semi-automatic pistol.
However, the show delivers the same visceral thrills that Peaky Blinders fans crave. Pub brawls, street shootouts, and gang wars fill the screen. Sean Wallace struggles to maintain control and expand his drug empire amidst police interference and rival gang attacks. Season 2 culminates in a cliffhanger, leaving his kingpin status in question, making it essential viewing before the season 3 premiere.
Gangs of London surpasses Peaky Blinders in its raw violence. Leveraging modern weaponry, the show features frequent point-blank killings, machine gun exchanges, and large-scale explosions. Hand-to-hand combat, a meat cleaver attack, and even a poisoning add to the brutal mix. Fight scenes often conclude with characters drenched in blood.
For those craving intense gang warfare, Gangs of London offers a compelling alternative to rewatching Peaky Blinders. Seasons 1 and 2 are available on AMC+ in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK, delivering relentless action and brutality.