PEAKY BLINDERS AUDIENCE Flashcards
(27 cards)
What would a preferred reading be of the show?
Viewers who agree with and enjoy the valuing of working-class lives and history.
EG themes of family, and historical working-class iconography.
What would a negotiated reading be of the show?
Some viewers may enjoy the depictions of industrial areas as vibrant and exciting but may find the stylized violence upsetting.
EG - Arthur being beaten by policed is soundtracked to punk-rock music.
What would be an oppositional reading to the show?
They may find style of the show off-putting and superficial.
The historical accuracy dubious (factually, the Blinders mainly operated in the late 1800s, not the 1920s).
They may also reject the use of anachronistic punk and rock music annoying.
How does Peaky Blinders appeal to fans of specific genres?
It uses and innovates upon conventions of gangster and Western genres, offering clear genre elements such as crime, moral codes, and anti-heroes.
Why might fans of historical dramas enjoy Peaky Blinders?
For its educational value, visual spectacle, lavish production design, and unique period fashion.
What attracts politically engaged or left-leaning audiences to Peaky Blinders?
Its exploration of social and political issues and its alternative view of British history from a working-class perspective.
How does Peaky Blinders appeal to traditionally masculine viewers?
Through tough, no-nonsense male characters who uphold strict moral codes and values.
EG Tommy/Arthur
How are feminist viewers represented in Peaky Blinders?
Via strong, complex female characters who defy traditional stereotypes.
EG Polly/Grace/Ada
What is Henry Jenkins’ view on fandom?
Fandom is personal, creative, and political; fans often appropriate content and create their own interpretations and outputs.
How has Peaky Blinders influenced regional culture?
It has inspired a cultural Renaissance in Birmingham and the Midlands, celebrating a previously marginalised area and class.
What is the ‘cottage industry’ around Peaky Blinders?
Unofficial events and merchandise (e.g., tours, theme pubs, festivals) that extend the viewing experience.
EG “Peaky Blinders Liverpool Walking Tour”
“Peaky Blinders Manchester” - themed pub
“Peaky Blinders festival” in Birmingham
“The Redemption of Thomas Shelby” - live stage show.
How do fans participate creatively in the Peaky Blinders fandom?
Through cosplay (dressing up as characters on social media, or for events) , social media communities (#peakyblinders), fanart, and fanfiction.
What is textual poaching, according to Jenkins?
Fans (prosumers) creatively remix or reinterpret media texts outside the original producer’s control, creating new content like fanfiction or videos.
How did PB’s breaking of stereotypes attract an audience?
One way Peaky Blinders attracted an
audience, thus gaining a positive
audience response, was via breaking
the stereotypical representations of
regional identity, in this case the
‘Brummie’.
A study was conducted in 2008 where
people were asked to grade the
intelligence of a person based on their accent. The ‘Brummie’ accent was ranked as the least intelligent accent.
How did PB’s use of actors attract an audience?
They also use popular, renowned actors to gain an audiences, such as Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby and Sam Neil as chief inspector Campbell.
What are the audience pleasures that derive from the show?
Expectations of genre
Realistic to time period
Escapism - to the past
Nostalgia
Star/character identification
How is audience positioning attractive to audiences?
We are positioned with the Shelby family, but the unrestricted narrative means that we know more than them - we therefore await moments when the story is uncovered to characters.
EG Ada and Freddie’s relationship.
This positioning also allows us to see emotional responses towards different situations - we feel connected to the Shelby’s (Blumler and Katz - personal identity)
What is the audience demographic for Peaky Blinders?
Cross gender - varied characters
Age 30+ - historical
ABC1 + C2DE - intellectual yet relatable to working class
British - regional identity
Global - distribution, interest in other cultures
What is the audience psychographic for Peaky Blinders?
Mainstreamers - BBC crime drama
Strugglers - relatable to working class
Explorers - historical mis-en-scene
Fans of Genre
Fans of stars
Fans of Creators
How did the release of trailers and teasers attract an audience?
The BBC released cinematic-style trailers before the premiere, highlighting the show’s high production values, gritty tone, and period setting.
Trailers emphasized themes of violence, power, family loyalty, and post-war trauma, appealing to fans of crime dramas and historical fiction.
How did genre codes within advertisements attract an audience?
The show was marketed with a strong iconography: sharp suits, flat caps, dark lighting, and industrial Birmingham landscapes.
Posters and social media banners used high-contrast visuals, referencing historical crime dramas whilst hinting at intertextual genres eg western.
Stands out in a crowded-market.
How did the shows soundtrack attract an audience?
Featured modern rock artists like Nick Cave, Arctic Monkeys, and PJ Harvey.
EG theme tune for Peaky Blinders is “Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
Promoted through BBC channels and music-based platforms to merge period drama with contemporary cultural tastes.
Anachronic music.
How did the show use social media and digital marketing to attract an audience?
Social media: promoted on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (@PeakyBlindersOfficial), with regular updates, BTS content and promotional clips (trailers and teasers)
Collaborations with influencers to widen audience.
Quotes and clips from the show went viral, particularly scenes featuring Tommy Shelby.
How did the show utilise traditional media marketing to attract an audience?
Print Advertising:
Posters placed in public spaces such as bus stops, billboards, and train stations.
Ads and feature spreads in magazines and newspapers, particularly entertainment and lifestyle sections.
Press and Media Coverage:
Interviews with cast and creators in newspapers, magazines, and on TV chat shows.
Feature articles focusing on the show’s themes, period setting, and production.
(EG Radio Times - focus on characters and PB as a mainstream drama, article predicts plot)
(EG Crime Scene - focus on crime genre, characters)
Premiere Events and Screenings:
Hosting launch parties or early screenings for critics, journalists, and influencers to generate word of mouth.
Sometimes with Q&A sessions to increase engagement.
(EG events such as Comic Con, personalises cast)
