Cillian Murphy, however, has surprised me in his role as Thomas Shelby positively. Overall, I can not say anything negative against the dramatic performances, if you take Sam Neill disregards. I hold in his role for a total miscast (perhaps this has indeed done in Season 2)).
Now time for the series itself: Now I realize that you have to introduce into the action, the individual characters for now. But you must also create moments that make people curious about Season 2. This is achieved in my opinion really only in a row 6. The figures are still very preoccupied with himself, which makes the action seem quite lengthy. Especially the flashbacks to the war events offer plenty of potential to better understand the main characters and their soul world. Unfortunately, this potential has not been exhausted. So I could not reach a figure really.
Say a few words to a few reviews here now: one can of violence keep what you want, but then one should look at, or no "gangster films". In addition, the scenes of violence keep very limited, considering that the Peaky Blinders with their "razor caps" (the caps they had, but probably not sewn blades) to have been the terror of Birmingham. Speaking Birmingham: somehow affects the series to me like a chamber piece. The scenes are still very "clear". First, there is the dirty Birmingham neighborhood and on the other side of London's temple of art. Ok, it illustrates the contrast between "good" and "evil". Oh yeah, then there's also still the racetrack! Did any of you see somewhere a horse race?
Conclusion:
Who knows Boardwalk Empire and loves and this series has seen, can really only come to a judgment, which in my opinion, any comparison forbids. However, I believe that there is still a lot of potential and give Season 2 still have a chance. Already alone because Tom Hardy will play;)