Steven Knight reveals why ‘Peaky Blinders’ needed BBC to get made

The creator of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, has said the acclaimed drama would never have been made without BBC, even though the broadcaster has long been associated with tighter budgets.

Knight explained that the public broadcaster was willing to back ideas that might not fit current trends. According to the writer, Peaky Blinders belonged to a category of projects that were considered unusual at the time and may have struggled to find support elsewhere.

Knight said the BBC often takes chances on distinctive stories and allows creative teams to work with fewer interruptions. He noted that writers, directors and producers are generally trusted once commissioners believe they understand what they are doing.

The writer contrasted that approach with experiences elsewhere in the industry, suggesting there is less pressure to sit through endless meetings simply to justify people’s involvement. He described the atmosphere as one where creators are encouraged to get on with their work.

Despite his praise, Knight acknowledged that financial limitations have always been part of the BBC’s reputation. He referenced the famous comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, whose sketches in the 1960s often joked about the corporation’s modest spending power.

“It has always been known that it is not the place you go to for the big bucks,” Knight said. “It is where you go if you want to express something.”

The comments came as MPs continue to investigate how the BBC can adapt to a changing media landscape ahead of the renewal of its Royal Charter, which expires in December 2027. The broadcaster currently relies heavily on the television licence fee, but changing viewing habits and competition from streaming services have increased pressure on its finances.

Peaky Blinders first launched on the BBC in 2013 before becoming a co production with Netflix. Under the arrangement, BBC retained exclusive rights in the UK while Netflix handled international distribution.

Knight was also asked why the latest chapter in the franchise, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, arrived on Netflix before reaching BBC. He explained that Netflix contributed the majority of the funding for the feature film, making the streaming service’s release schedule a natural consequence of that investment.

According to Knight, a production of that scale could not have been financed solely by BBC. Even so, he stressed that the original success of Peaky Blinders was rooted in the broadcaster’s willingness to support a project that others may have overlooked.