The Allure and Controversy of Peaky Blinders Smut Fanfiction

The Allure of Peaky Blinders Fanfiction

The BBC drama Peaky Blinders, set in 1920s Birmingham, has garnered a dedicated fandom since first airing in 2013. At the center of the gritty period crime saga is the Shelby crime family, led by the cunning Tommy Shelby. With its intricate plot, strong characters, and historical setting, it's no wonder Peaky Blinders has inspired hundreds of fanfiction stories expanding the world and relationships within the show.

The Appeal of Smut Fanfiction

A popular subset of Peaky Blinders fanfic is smut - fiction containing explicit sexual content. There are many reasons smut stories are prevalent among the fandom:

• The chemistry between characters inspires romantic and erotic "what if" scenarios.
• Smut allows readers to explore adult situations involving their favorite characters.
• It provides a creative outlet for fans to expand on the mature themes already present in the show.
• The historical setting lends itself to forbidden trysts and secret relationships.

Overall, smut gratifies the desire for more romance and intimacy between characters than what is shown on-screen.

Popular Character Pairings

Certain character pairings tend to dominate Peaky Blinders smut stories:

Tommy Shelby

As the leader of the Shelby clan, Tommy is featured prominently across all genres of Peaky Blinders fanfic. In smut stories, he is often portrayed as brooding, dominant, and intensely passionate with both female and male partners.

Grace Burgess

Tommy's former wife Grace is a common romantic pairing, with their married life explored more intimately. Forbidden love scenarios are also written between Grace and other Shelby brothers like Arthur or John.

Lizzie Stark

Lizzie's unrequited love for Tommy in early seasons leads to "what if" smut stories where they act on their mutual desires. Her background as a former prostitute also lends itself to mature content.

Alfie Solomons

The volatile Alfie generates sexual tension whenever he clashes or cooperates with Tommy. This chemistry has inspired a popular slash pairing, though Alfie also appears in heterosexual smut stories.

OFCs

Original female characters created by fans are regularly paired up with Tommy, Arthur, John and others for romantic encounters. OFCs allow personalized self-insert fiction.

Common Tropes and Themes

Like all fanfiction genres, Peaky Blinders smut utilizes familiar tropes and themes readers enjoy. Popular conventions include:

• Forbidden love - Secret affairs and trysts across class, family ties, marriage, etc.
• Friends to lovers - Close relationships turning intimate.
• Hurt/comfort - One character consoling another leads to sex.
• Infidelity/Cheating - Adulterous relationships explored.
• Sexual tension - Long-running unresolved desire finally addressed.
• First time - Characters lose their virginity.
• Self-indulgence - Characters engage in acts of pleasure and self-gratification.

Smut writers use these familiar ideas as creative jumping off points for their own stories.

The Draw and Controversy of Smut

While clearly popular with many fans, Peaky Blinders smut also generates controversy within the fandom. Some argue it overly sexualizes the characters and detracts from their depth. Others say elements like slash pairings are not supported by canon. But most accept that smut fiction satisfies the craving for adult content featuring favorite characters, without judgment.

Ultimately the allure of Peaky Blinders smut remains strong for the opportunity to explore intimacy, relationships, sexuality, and indulgence through these beloved characters. Smut offers thrill and escape from a dark, gritty show that often lacks overt romance. And within the vast range of fanfiction choices, there are smut stories to suit the tastes of many readers.

Conclusion

Peaky Blinders smut fills a desire among fans to expand the mature themes of the show into the erotic possibilities of fanfiction. The appeal lies in being able to romanticize and sexualize the characters beyond what is depicted on-screen, often utilizing familiar tropes and creative scenarios. While controversial for some, for most readers Peaky Blinders smut provides entertainment value, wish fulfillment, and a way to indulge in fantasies involving favorite characters from this popular drama series.

FAQs

Why is smut so popular in Peaky Blinders fanfiction?

Smut allows fans to explore mature romantic and erotic scenarios between characters they love. It provides creative outlets for sexual themes and chemistry only hinted at on the show.

What are the most common character pairings?

Tommy Shelby is frequently featured, often with Grace Burgess or Lizzie Stark. Other popular pairings are Alfie Solomons/Tommy Shelby, Arthur/OFCs, and John/OFCs.

What tropes are used often in Peaky Blinders smut?

Popular tropes include forbidden love, friends to lovers, hurt/comfort leading to sex, infidelity, unresolved sexual tension, first times, and self-indulgence.

Why is Peaky Blinders smut controversial?

Some argue it overly sexualizes characters and detracts from their complexity. Slash pairings not supported by canon also generate controversy among some fans.

Who is the target audience for smut stories?

Mostly adult fans of Peaky Blinders who want to explore erotic "what if" scenarios between characters from the show.