The essential episodes of Peaky Blinders

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Peaky Blinders — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · September 12, 2013 · 1h

   Episode 17.6

   Birmingham, 1919. Thomas Shelby controls the Peaky Blinders, one of the city's most feared criminal organisations, but his ambitions go beyond running the streets.When a crate of guns goes missing, Thomas recognises an opportunity to move up in the world.

2. 02

   S01E06 · Season 1 peak · October 17, 2013 · 1h

   Episode 68.4

   As Thomas Shelby prepares to oust Billy Kimber, hidden secrets are revealed and the family have to face up to the problems that have divided them. Meanwhile, Campbell, obsessed with taking down the Peaky Blinders, unleashes one last plan to destroy them.

3. 03

   S02E06 · Season 2 peak · November 6, 2014 · 1h

   Episode 68.5

   As derby day arrives, Tommy is faced with impossible decisions as he plans to strike back at his enemies and take the family business to another level. Meanwhile, Major Campbell has one final card to play - one that he is certain will bring about Tommy's demise.

4. 04

   S03E02 · Top rated · May 12, 2016 · 1h

   Episode 28.2

   Tommy discovers the extent of the mission given to him and the extreme lengths his new paymasters are willing to go to in their quest for power.Meanwhile his own family's activities lead to escalating danger in Birmingham.

5. 05

   S03E03 · Top rated · May 19, 2016 · 1h

   Episode 38.4

   Responding to the Italians' actions, Tommy is set on a path of deadly vengeance. Meanwhile, as he makes plans for his mission on behalf of the Russians, he realises there is a traitor in his midst.

6. 06

   S03E04 · Top rated · May 26, 2016 · 1h

   Episode 48.3

   Tommy and Tatiana play a personal and dangerous game to acquire information from one another, and Tommy finally comprehends the magnitude of Tatiana's warped ideals.Meanwhile, Polly reveals a dark secret, with terrible consequences for Tommy.

7. 07

   S03E05 · Top rated · June 2, 2016 · 1h

   Episode 58.2

   As the Russians test the Peaky Blinders, Tommy realises that he is being seriously outmanoeuvred. But he has an ace up his sleeve in the form of an enemy turned ally - if only he can control him.

8. 08

   S03E06 · Season 3 peak · June 9, 2016 · 1h

   Episode 68.8

   As Tommy prepares to commit the most audacious crime of his career, a blow is struck against him that could change everything. As he faces his worst fears, he needs his family more than ever - but who can he trust?

9. 09

   S04E01 · Top rated · November 15, 2017 · 1h

   The Noose8.4

   December 1925. Tommy Shelby OBE has acquired unprecedented legitimacy. The former gangster is also a man alone, estranged from his family and focused only on business. But when he receives a mysterious letter on Christmas Eve, Tommy realises that the Shelbys are in danger of annihilation. As the enemy closes in, Tommy flees his country house and returns to the only safe place he knows: Small Heath, Birmingham, the slum where he grew up. Facing a more determined and sophisticated threat than ever before, the Shelby family must find a way to put differences aside, work together, take up arms and fight for survival...

10. 10

    S04E02 · Top rated · November 22, 2017 · 1h

    Heathens8.3

    As the Shelbys come to terms with the shocking events of Christmas Day, Tommy endeavours to unite his family. Until the current threat is dealt with, their only safe place is together in Small Heath. Johnny Dogs and Charlie set about arming the locals - everyone is now a Peaky bodyguard. Tommy enlists the help of tough Romany Gypsy Aberama Gold, who wants something unusual in return.Jessie Eden confronts Tommy about the workers' pay. She warns him that revolution is in the air, and when Tommy doesn't relent she calls his bluff. As the situation plays out, Tommy's factory manager tells him he has one more meeting - with a mysterious businessman from Paris. But what transpires is no ordinary meeting with no ordinary businessman...

11. 11

    S04E04 · Top rated · December 6, 2017 · 1h

    Dangerous8.3

    The Peaky Blinders are lured by the Italians into a cat-and-mouse chase on the streets of Birmingham, where it becomes clear that Tommy has met his match. Trapped in Small Heath, Tommy tries to console himself with a visit from an old flame but it soon becomes clear that he can't always get what he wants.As his factory lies idle, Tommy confronts the possibility that the Communists might win and he will be deemed a traitor to his class. Meanwhile, Changretta prepares to spring another trap.

12. 12

    S04E05 · Top rated · December 13, 2017 · 1h

    The Duel8.3

    Tommy prepares himself as the bloody battle lines are drawn between the Peaky Blinders and Changretta. A deal is struck - with potentially devastating consequences.

13. 13

    S04E06 · Season 4 peak · December 20, 2017 · 1h

    The Company8.8

    It is the night of the big fight - Bonnie Gold versus Goliath. But as the bell rings and the crowd goes wild, dangers lurk in the shadows for Tommy Shelby and his family. When Changretta plays his final ace, he sets in motion a series of events that will change the Peaky Blinders forever.

14. 14

    S05E04 · Season 5 peak · September 8, 2019 · 1h

    The Loop8.3

    Tommy waits by the water at Charlie's Yard to meet a dangerous adversary. Despite their past grievances, the pair agree to a truce. Later, in a private room at the Garrison pub, as Tommy meets with his constituents to hear their grievances, a mysterious stranger with a message arrives. At his Westminster office, Tommy makes Aberama an offer he can't refuse before inviting Mosley to a party he is throwing for Lizzie's birthday. On the night of the party, things soon take a turn for the worse when a surprise guest arrives.

15. 15

    S06E06 · Season 6 peak · April 3, 2022 · 1h 20m

    Lock and Key8.5

    A war veteran who fought in the trenches, Tommy Shelby has been a gangster, an entrepreneur, a captain of industry, a spy and ultimately a Member of Parliament. In the course of this odyssey, he has taken on numerous criminal organisations, business adversaries, foreign insurgents, and the British Establishment itself.Now, in the 1930s, as the clouds of the coming storm gather, he faces the consequences of his experiences and his actions.