Snoop Dogg’s Unexpected Connection to Peaky Blinders: Insights from the Show’s Creator

Steven Knight, the creator of the acclaimed TV series Peaky Blinders, recently shared that American rapper Snoop Dogg is an unexpected fan of the show. Knight revealed that Snoop Dogg had a deep personal connection to the series, finding parallels between the show’s themes and his own experiences with gang culture.

Knight recounted a memorable meeting with Snoop Dogg, where the rapper, along with his manager, discussed how Peaky Blinders resonated with his life. According to Knight, Snoop Dogg related the show to his own journey, explaining how it mirrored his experiences with family and gang involvement. The discussion highlighted for Knight how universal the show’s appeal is, with people from diverse backgrounds, from Eastern Europe to Buenos Aires, finding a shared understanding and connection to the story.

Peaky Blinders, which aired from 2013 to 2022, chronicles the lives of gangsters in 1920s Birmingham. The show, featuring Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, has garnered a global fan base and critical acclaim. Murphy, who recently won an Oscar for his role in Oppenheimer, will reprise his role in the upcoming film adaptation of the series.

Knight’s encounter with Snoop Dogg was informal yet revealing. The meeting took place with Snoop Dogg smoking, Knight drinking beer, and the manager sipping gin. The conversation delved into Snoop Dogg’s life, reflecting on themes of family dynamics and personal rebellion that mirrored elements of the show. Knight described Snoop Dogg as a “great bloke” and found the discussion about his life and family incredibly intriguing.

The inspiration for Peaky Blinders stemmed from Knight’s own background. Growing up in Birmingham as the youngest of seven children, Knight was influenced by the larger-than-life characters and stories from his parents’ youth. His mother worked for bookmakers who were known as “peaky blinders” during a time when betting was illegal. His father was a blacksmith who worked with a nearby Romany camp and scrap metal yard. Knight aimed to capture the essence of these rebellious yet warm personalities in the series, portraying their dramatic lives with a sense of authenticity and emotion.

Before achieving fame with Peaky Blinders, Knight began his career writing poetry as a child and later worked in radio and television. He co-created the globally successful game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Dirty Pretty Things. Knight has also penned three novels.

Currently, Knight is working on a Star Wars script and has recently opened a new TV and film studio in Birmingham called Digbeth Loc. This studio will serve as the filming location for the Peaky Blinders movie and aims to be a lasting legacy for Birmingham. Knight envisions it as a hub for innovative and bold filmmaking, also supporting local talent through a scheme that finances training in film industry trades.

Reflecting on his own journey, Knight notes that growing up working-class led him to have low expectations for himself. It wasn’t until he was 35 that he began to believe in his potential. Now, he frequently speaks at schools and community events, encouraging others by sharing his story. He emphasizes that everyone has the potential to succeed, even if they haven’t had the same opportunities or guidance.

Through Peaky Blinders and his other endeavors, Knight continues to bridge personal experiences with broader storytelling, touching lives and inspiring creativity across various communities.