Peaky Blinders: The Unexpected Real-Life Connection Between Uncle Jack & Father Of A US President

While his arrival was shrouded in mystery, his connection to real-life history is anything but. Uncle Jack isn’t just a fictional mob boss; he’s inspired by Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., father of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy.

In the Peaky Blinders universe, Uncle Jack’s arrival from the U.S. with plans to buy import licenses for Scotch and whiskey distilleries adds layers to the show’s dark, gritty intrigue. He rolls up to England with a crew straight out of the pages of history: his wife, mistress, and the son of President Roosevelt. The whole setup might sound familiar, and it should. 1933 Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. did the same thing, arriving in London with a similar entourage. He, too, was looking to cash in on the end of Prohibition, buying rights to import gin and whiskey back to the States.

This fascinating real-world link wasn’t lost on Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Knight confirmed the connection when asked about the resemblance between the fictional Jack Nelson and the real-life Kennedy patriarch. “Yes, but I’m not giving it away so soon,” he teased, adding, “There is a resonance with Boston, with senior politicians…” For Knight, the best fiction is often drawn from reality, and as he puts it, the chaos of the 1930s is too wild not to inspire a Peaky Blinders storyline.

Kennedy’s real-life journey to London involved similar political intrigue. After Prohibition, Kennedy Sr. worked out deals to bring English liquor brands to the U.S., including Gordon’s gin. This mirrored Uncle Jack’s plans on the show, making their stories eerily similar. As Knight pointed out, the historical figures of the time were involved in events so strange they were almost too crazy to invent. Enter Peaky Blinders, where the madness of history comes to life with a little fictional flair.

But here’s the kicker—while Kennedy deeply inspires Jack Nelson’s character, he’s still a Peaky original. Unlike many characters in the series, Nelson isn’t based on a specific historical figure, though his role is unmistakably modeled after the real-life political powerhouses of the time. Knight has always had a knack for mixing history with fiction, pulling from the most dramatic moments of the past and amplifying them for maximum impact.

While Uncle Jack might be fictional, the Kennedy parallels were no accident. Boston-born, politically connected, and with a reputation for shady deals, Kennedy Sr. was a perfect fit for the Peaky Blinders universe. In the end, Knight’s genius is in turning the madness of the 1930s into something even more chaotic—and a lot more entertaining.

So, as the season progresses, expect Uncle Jack to stir the pot even more. But remember, while the character is fictional, the historical connections are real—and they’re just the tip of the iceberg in the wild world of Peaky Blinders.

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