Television is a huge part of life for everybody around the world, but Birmingham has roots in some of the most famous shows that have been broadcast in the United Kingdom over the last couple of years. The shows that have been set in Birmingham have gone on to become critically acclaimed, with some of them even having a cult like following nowadays. But, which shows have been filmed in the second city?
Peaky Blinders
The obvious place to start is Peaky Blinders, which remains one of the most popular dramas that has ever aired on the BBC. The series follows Tommy Shelby and his rise to power within the criminal gang, before taking on new enemies as the Peaky Blinders search for more power. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is Brummie himself, and has even revealed that the Black Country Museum is the home of the show.
The show now has a worldwide following, with actors such as Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory and Tom Hardy all gaining incredible reviews for their performances in the drama. Peaky Blinders has already won countless awards, including a BAFTA and TV Choice Award for best Drama Series. There are already high expectations ahead of the sixth season being released at some point next year.
Line Of Duty
Peaky Blinders isn’t the only BBC show that called Birmingham home from its early days, as Line Of Duty was also filmed in the second city. Birmingham was the host for the first season of the critically acclaimed show, which has gone on to be named in third in the Radio Times’ list of the best Crime Dramas of all-time. Fans around the country tuned in every week to see what was happening at AC-12 to find out whether the team were able to piece together clues to find corruption within the police.
It was an immediate success, with the show winning awards for the Best Drama/Fictional Programme at the 2012 Royal Television Society Midlands Awards. Further success would follow, as Line of Duty went on to smash viewing figures with over 12 million people tuning in to the finale of season five on BBC One. Much like Peaky Blinders, Line of Duty will be returning next year.
Brum
There wasn’t a children’s television show quiet like Brum, and that ensured that it became an international success, but its roots were firmly in the second city. Brum started in 1991 when it was first broadcast, with the show being directed and written by Anne Wood. BBC One was its home in the UK, but it also had international success as it entertaining children around the world, with Brum becoming a household show in the United States, Australian, Singapore and Kenya.
It was also aired in Germany, Dubai, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. The show was a huge success as it aired 66 episodes, with the final one of these airing in 2002. It became synonymous with the second city, with the car now housed in the Cotswold Motoring Museum.
