Steven Knight created “Peaky Blinders,” which was a violent, but compelling series about rough times in 1880s England. His new series is set in London at the same time and follows two groups that intertwine. There are 2 best friends from Jamacia who end up in the bare-knuckle boxing world, while Forty Elephants, a group of female criminals, plans their big heist. This is another look at a hard-scrabble existence with appropriate poverty, crime and violence, although it’s never as harsh as his previous series. The performances are all intense. When the show hits, it’s involving, but the various plots and long scenes keep it from being as captivating as it might have been. Even so, it’s an interesting look at this period underworld. (Seven one-hour eps with a cliff-hanger ending that promises another season) 
(3 / 5)
