David Bowie, the late, legendary rock icon, was an unexpected and utterly devoted superfan of the gritty BBC period drama Peaky Blinders. The British show, which follows the exploits of the fictional Shelby crime family in post-WWI Birmingham, captured Bowie’s imagination so intensely that it led to a personal and poignant exchange with the show’s star, Cillian Murphy, just before Bowie’s death. This interaction cemented Bowie’s fascination with the dark, compelling world of the British gangster until his final days.
The Rock Star and the Peaky Blinders
Bowie’s connection to the show went deeper than simple celebrity appreciation. One report suggests that Bowie’s own mother was from Birmingham and that two of her uncles were members of the actual historical Peaky Blinders gang, giving the series a uniquely personal resonance for the artist. His admiration for the show, created by Steven Knight, centered on the character of Thomas “Tommy” Shelby, portrayed by Cillian Murphy. Murphy’s character is the ruthless, impeccably dressed leader of the gang, known for his signature flat cap with sewn-in razor blades—the literal inspiration for the gang’s name.
The Famous “Hair-Stretching” Photograph
The intensity of Bowie’s fandom culminated in a deeply personal piece of fan mail sent to Murphy. Show creator Steven Knight revealed the custom photograph, which Cillian Murphy had inadvertently prompted. Murphy had earlier received one of the iconic screen-worn caps worn by his character, Tommy Shelby. In a gesture of mutual appreciation, Murphy sent the cap to Bowie. Bowie responded by sending a striking piece of cosplay back to the actor. The photo showed Bowie wearing a flat cap and, crucially, a razor blade sewn into the cap’s peak, directly referencing the gang’s notorious method of attack, the so-called “hair-stretching” move. The image, which Murphy reportedly kept as a treasured possession, served as proof that the rock legend was not merely a casual viewer but fully immersed in the violent, stylish aesthetic of the show’s dark fictional world.
A Musical Final Farewell
Beyond the personal exchange with the star, Bowie made a final, powerful gesture of his dedication to Peaky Blinders through his music. Just before his passing in January 2016, Bowie ensured that his final, groundbreaking music would be featured in the show. According to Knight and Murphy, a representative of Sony came to Knight’s house a week before Bowie’s final album, Blackstar, was released. Their specific instruction was to play the music and establish that Peaky Blinders could use his songs. Bowie’s track “Lazarus” from the Blackstar album was ultimately featured prominently in Series 3 of the show, which premiered shortly after his death. This inclusion felt like a deliberate, artistic farewell from Bowie—a final, chilling gift to a piece of British culture that he clearly adored and identified with until the very end.