Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy recently discussed the music used in the hit series and drew an unexpected connection between his character Tommy Shelby and Birmingham rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, as shared on the Peaky Blinders Instagram account.
Murphy’s comments focused on how Black Sabbath’s music, particularly the song “War Pigs,” has been featured in the show. He also discussed how he sees similarities between his fictional character and the real-life rock icon.
“We have Black Sabbath in the show. That tune War Pigs, and we lost poor Ozzy Osbourne. It’s just a phenomenal, blistering piece of music,” Murphy said.
The actor went on to draw parallels between the two Birmingham figures.
“I think you could draw some line between Tommy Shelby and Ozzy Osbourne if you so wished. Kind of rebels, both of them,” he continued.
Murphy’s comparison between these two Birmingham icons runs deeper than their rebellious nature. It is rooted in the city’s rich cultural and musical heritage that spans generations.
Britannica reported that Black Sabbath formed in Birmingham in 1968, with Ozzy Osbourne hailing from the working-class Aston neighborhood. This gritty industrial backdrop mirrors the environment depicted in Peaky Blinders, where the Shelby family navigates post-World War I Birmingham’s harsh realities.
The show’s creative team deliberately uses anachronistic music choices to enhance its storytelling. Collider noted that Peaky Blinders blends modern rock with 1920s gangster drama, using tracks like Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” to amplify the show’s rebellious tone and connect Birmingham’s industrial past to its heavy metal legacy.
Osbourne’s recent farewell to live performance adds poignancy to Murphy’s comments. Britannica documented that on July 5, 2025, Ozzy performed his and Black Sabbath’s final show to over 40,000 fans at Villa Park in Birmingham. He opened the 10-hour concert solo on a black throne due to health issues before reuniting with the band.
This connection highlights how Peaky Blinders successfully weaves Birmingham’s cultural DNA into its narrative. The show links the fictional gangster world with the city’s legendary music scene that would emerge decades later.
