Peaky Blinders season six: Everything you need to know
The series will be with us soon
Last updated 15th Feb 2022
Peaky Blinders fans were devastated to find out that the upcoming sixth season of the show would be the last - but that hasn't stopped us getting VERY excited as the start date was announced for February 2022!
As we prepare to re-visit the Shelby family in the sixth series, take a look at everything we know so far about the upcoming season...
When will Peaky Blinders season six be released?
Season six of Peaky Blinders will drop on 27th February 2022. The news was revealed a week prior to the release date, with bosses writing: 'The Shelbys are back in business. Watch the final series of Peaky Blinders on iPlayer from 27 February.' (sic).
Peaky Blinders season six teaser trailer:
Excitement for the upcoming series began to heighten as show bosses starting releasing teasers.
Taking to Instagram in November 2021, the show's bosses posted a 10 second teaser from the upcoming season simply saying: '#PeakyBlinders series 6. Early 2022, on BBC One and @bbciplayer.'
This very exciting news came a couple of months after it was revealed, in September of that year, that the show would be returning in 2022, saying: 'Editor at work. Tommy Shelby back on our screens in #PeakyBlinders series 6, coming 2022. Director Anthony Byrne with editor Paul Knight.'
When did filming wrap?
Back in May 2021 it was revealed that the cast had officially wrapped up filming. Although that meant that we were edging closer and closer to seeing it, it also obviously meant that we were edging closer to it ending, too.
Director Anthony Byrne shared a photo on his Instagram profile of himself alongside First Assistant Director Jon Midlane and Cinetmatographer Mathieu Plainfossé to signify the wrap, simply writing: 'Done & done & done'.
This came after Ada Shelby actress Sophie Rundle shared a photo of herself changing her little one in between scenes to mark her final day on the set.
She wrote: 'I went back to work on Peaky Blinders four weeks after giving birth to my son. This is me - sleep deprived and slightly delirious changing a nappy in my trailer in between scenes.
'It’s been the most exhausting and challenging thing I’ve ever done but worth it to finish off this bats--- crazy, brilliant show and say goodbye to this character that I love so much. To the Peaky cast and crew who welcomed me and my little one back into the fold and pretended not to notice my impossibly deep eye bags - thank you.
'So long Ada. l will miss your wild Shelby gypsy heart, your don’t f--- with me attitude and your fabulous wardrobe. It’s been a ride. 🚬💰🥃'
Production paused after false-negative COVID test
Production on series six was paused in April after a crew member had a 'false-positive' test result for COVID-19, and was told to isolate along with anyone who came into contact with them.
Thankfully, a subsequent negative test meant that filming could resume, with a spokesperson telling MailOnline: "Filming was stood down on Peaky Blinders because of a false positive test result for a member of the crew.
"In line with protocol, this person took an NHS test and anyone who came into contact with them self-isolated – the safety of our team on Peaky Blinders is of paramount importance. The NHS test has come back negative and filming will resume as normal tomorrow."
Stephen Graham confirmed for season 6 cast
Stephen Graham was confirmed to be joining the cast by the Peaky Blinders social media pages, who shared a photo of him on-set with the caption: 'We’re thrilled that StephenGraham73 has joined the cast of #PeakyBlinders series 6,' to which he replied: 'Thanks for having me 🙏.'
This comes after the news that he was spotted on the Peaky Blinders set. In pictures obtained by the Metro, Stephen can be seen wearing period costume among people wearing THAT hat.
Stephen had been rumoured to be joining the cast of Peaky Blinders for a few years, and spoke out on the Pound for Pound podcast in April 2020, admitting it very nearly didn't happen due to the pandemic.
"I was supposed to be starting Peaky Blinders but that has been put on hold indefinitely," he admitted. "My agent spent a lot of time putting that together." But thankfully we'll be seeing him soon!
Fans had been hoping for details about the sixth season of the show after production was postponed in March 2020 due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, which was thankfully able to restart in January but it was slightly bittersweet news as they also revealed series six would be the final instalment of Peaky Blinders.
Creator and writer Steven Knight said: “Peaky is back and with a bang. After the enforced production delay due to the Covid pandemic, we find the family in extreme jeopardy and the stakes have never been higher.
"We believe this will be the best series of all and are sure that our amazing fans will love it. While the TV series will be coming to an end, the story will continue in another form."
Executive producer Caryn Mandabach added: “Along with our wonderful, supportive, partners at BBC and Netflix, we have been working diligently to ensure we can get Peaky safely back into production; the safety of our cast and crew is always our priority.
"Thank you to all the Peaky fans who have been so unwaveringly supportive and patient. Steve’s scripts are incredible and mark the end of an epic story that has entranced audiences since it first started in 2013, but the world of Peaky Blinders will most definitely live on."
Back in December, casting company LB Casting, who work on Peaky Blinders, put out a call for extras to appear on a "very well-known BBC period drama shooting early 2021", with a photo of a man in a flat cap in the background and using the Peaky phrase, 'By order of...'
In February 2021, Peaky Blinders fans in Manchester noticed the show's set was being erected in the Castlefield area of the city. Manchester is a popular choice for filming for Peaky Blinders. Stockport's Plaza was used in the final episode of series 5.
What was said about production pausing?
Before the news that production has restarted, director Anthony Byrne revealed that January 2021 had been in the pipeline for a potential new production date to restart.
Speaking to Digital Spy in a video interview, Anthony said: "In an ideal world it would be great to be prepping again towards the end of the year with a view to start shooting early next year. That feels achievable, whether that's true or not, I have no idea."
However, if true, it will then be a LOT longer before we actually see the season, as Anthony added: "If we did start shooting in January (2021), we wouldn't finish until May or June and then it's another six months of editing."
This means that we might not see Peaky Blinders season 6 until late 2021, or early 2022. Anthony added that they'd used their time over lockdown to work out how they'd film scenes where the characters needed to be close to each other.
"We have a pretty good idea of how we are going to achieve those scenes," he explained. "Whether it's intimacy or fighting… there's definitely a way to do it and that's what a lot of this downtime has been about."
But it sounds as though it's a good thing they didn't get any filming done, as Anthony continued: "I was very pleased that we didn't start filming, because if we had filmed for two weeks and then we're not picking up until the end of the year or next year, or whenever we get back up and running, you would more than likely go back and look at the two weeks and go we can't use any of this stuff.
"Or we can use it, but we want to change other aspects of the script with time. The realistic practicalities of filming now have changed. Taking those into account, how we safely mount the production again and bring the cast and crew back, how we regulate it and how we run it. It's a completely new world."
But the time off has given the production team chance to make some final tweaks to the script, as he said: "I promise it will be worth the wait. It's given us a chance to go back through the scripts again and really kind of nail it, in a way that... I mean these scripts were so, so good, and now having more time you go 'what about this or what about that'. And you go, 'That's a good idea'."
Stars of the show also spoke out - like Paul Anderson, who plays Arthur Shelby Jr., who took to Instagram to tease that the show's imminent return. Sharing some fan art of his character, Paul wrote that the show was 'coming soon', adding, 'Season 6 🖤 thanking you all for the wait, it will will be worth it 💯🙏🐼.'
When was season 6 of Peaky Blinders announced?
Although creator Steven Knight said he could see the show going until a seventh series, nothing had been confirmed to say that either would definitely be happening... Until January 2020!
Anthony Byrne shared a photo of a script on Instagram, showing us that series six, episode one would be entitled 'Black Day' and even had a date - although it's blurry - potentially reading 4th January 2021.
Alongside the snap, Anthony wrote the caption, 'We are in pre-production on Season 6. More to come. By Order of…' and tagging some of the bigger actors on the show.
Fans of the show took to the comments section in their droves, with many writing messages of excitement over the next series, which ended on a HUGE cliffhanger in true Peaky style. One wrote, 'OMG cannot wait!' as another added, 'YES thank you!' and one more commented, 'wish good luck to ya and everyone on it.'
Why was Peaky Blinders season 6 postponed?
Unfortunately, production on Peaky Blinders was postponed due to the Coronavirus. Show bosses released a statement on social media in March 2020 which read, 'After much consideration, and in light of the developing situation concerning Covid-19, the start of production of Peaky Blinders Series 6 has been postponed.
'Huge thanks to our incredible cast and crew, and to all our amazing fans for their continued support.'
What will happen in series six of Peaky Blinders?
There's not much to know just yet! However, creator Steven Knight spoke about some new ideas in a Q&A on the Peaky Blinders website in July 2020. He said: "I like the supernatural element. 'Is Tommy cursed?' In other words, is everything predestined, are lives already mapped out? Do you have free will or not?
"I like the supernatural element. 'Is Tommy cursed?' In other words, is everything predestined, are lives already mapped out? Do you have free will or not?"
The latest star to speak out on the sixth season is Sophie Rundle, AKA Ada Thorne, who has teased details about the sixth season in an interview with Digital Spy, confessing that the cast have been giving it their all so that they go out "all guns blazing".
The actress, who recently welcomed her first child, said: "It's the last series, so everyone's going to be really going for it. It feels exciting and sad. We're all really pleased that we're getting to make it and tell more of the story."
Speaking about filming restrictions amid the pandemic, Sophie added: "It's tricky on Peaky, because I was chatting to the director, and he was like, 'We've got such an international cast'. It's been going on for so long now that you've got this real sort of mosaic of cast members – some have been in it from the beginning, some are new, some are just coming in this series.
"They're from all over the world. So I think it's been logistically quite difficult to get everyone there. But yeah, I think the whole industry is just like it always is – just figuring a way through."
This comes after fellow Peaky actor Emmett J. Scanlan spoke out in July 2020 about what we can expect from the sixth series of Peaky Blinders - and it sounds as though the long wait will most definitely be worth it!
Speaking to Digital Spy, Emmett admitted that he's already read the scripts - and whilst he obviously can't reveal any spoilers, he did say that the next episodes are "so strong".
"We won at the NTAs this year, just before lockdown, and myself and show creator Steven Knight spoke about what's to come very briefly," he explained. "I've read all the scripts since then, which of course are all subject to change. But they're so strong. It won't disappoint, I promise you. Steven is a master."
We can't wait!
Who will be in the cast of Peaky Blinders season 6?
Most of the characters who made it to the end of season 5 alive will most likely be returning, but we also know we'll be meeting a brand new character. Although we know absolutely nothing about her fictional life on the show yet, we do know she's being played by Amber Anderson...
Remembering Helen McCrory
Her husband Damian Lewis said in a statement, 'I'm heartbroken to announce that after an heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family.
'She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.'
The official Peaky Blinders account paid tribute to Helen, dressed as Aunt Polly, following the heartbreaking news.
Fans have been left wondering whether or not Helen will be appearing in the upcoming sixth series. Due to the tragic news only being announced recently, show bosses have not yet spoken out on the matter. In an interview in 2019, however, Helen told Express.co.uk: "I want to see it through to the end".
Read up on the other cast members of Peaky Blinders, including some new faces:
Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, Season 1-
Cillian Murphy is best known for his roles in 28 Days Later, The Dark Knight trilogy and Inception, but is also a talented musician, having previously been in bands and written many songs. He plays the main character of Tommy Shelby in the show - head of the Shelby crime family and recently-appointed Labour MP for Birmingham.
Of his role on the show, Cillian said: "I'm not a tough guy at all so it was by far the toughest character I have ever portrayed, and him being so physical and the amount of respect and fear that this family has in this town means that we all had to look tough. I've been a fan of Steven Knight's work for quite a while and the quality just jumped off the page. It's just very unusual and very compelling and the character Tom Shelby is kind of an enigma."
Helen McCrory as Polly Gray, Season 1-
Helen McCrory was a prolific actress, having worked for many years in film, TV and on-stage, who heartbreakingly passed away in April 2021. Having played Tony Blair's wife Cherie twice, she was also known for playing Narcissa Malfoy in the last three Harry Potter films, for her role in Skyfall and a plethora of theatre roles, among many others. Helen played Aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders, the matriarch of the family. It's unknown whether she will be a part of the final season.
Of the role, Helen said: "I play Aunt Polly who has run this gang for four years while the boys are away in the trenches. You come to the family when they come back. We know she's had a past life of a man and children and in the series we find out who they are.
"But she really is the brains with Tommy behind the family and you see the difference of how to rule. One from a male point of view, which is much more physical and violent and threatening, and one from a female point of view, which is just as physically violent and threatening, but is also psychological."
Helen will be missed by all who knew her and her Peaky Blinders family and fans.
Paul Anderson as Arthur Shelby Jr, Season 1-
Paul Anderson plays Arthur Shelby Jr. on the show, the eldest Shelby son. Having starred in The Revenant and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Paul is no stranger to a gritty drama.
He said: "They're the most interesting roles to play: violent, brutal, dark characters. There's so much scope because you can do the obvious brutish kind of stuff, but then you can play the sort of different layers with a violent man.
"There's a reason for that sort of behaviour and mentality. Men were hard men and if they weren't then they were left behind. It was a pleasure to play Arthur Shelby. Much better than playing the nice guy."
Sophie Rundle as Ada Thorne, Season 1-
Sophie Rundle portrays the only sister among the Shelby family - Ada, who secretly married Tommy's wartime friend, Freddie Thorne. Although Freddie passed away early on in the series, Ada has grown hugely as a character. Sophie is best known for her roles in The Bletchley Circle, Episodes and Bodyguard.
She said: "She's the sister of the Peaky Blinder boys and as much as all the boys are these sort of wild, vicious, ruthless characters, she's a real sort of feral wild child but, because she's a girl in that time she sort of channels her energy quite differently.
"Everything that you imagine about the 20s, the flapper girls and the bright young things, Ada kind of embodies a lot of that. She's part of this new generation with all this energy that's looking for a change after the First World War. So she's sort of wild and bright and full of energy."
Finn Cole as Michael Gray, Season 2-
The Shelbys' cousin Michael Gray is actually played by former Peaky star Joe Cole's real-life brother, Finn Cole. Finn came into the show in during series two, when Tommy was able to locate Polly's biological son who'd been taken away from her as a young child.
Finn has also starred in 2018 film Slaughterhouse Rulez as well as US TV show Animal Kingdom. He was also in film Dreamland alongside Margot Robbie, and will be in F9, the ninth film in the Fast and the Furious franchise.
Natasha O'Keeffe as Lizzie Stark, Season 1-
Natasha O'Keeffe portrays Lizzie Stark on the show, Tommy's on-off lover and mother of his child Ruby. Best known for her roles in Misfits, Lip Service and Jekyll and Hyde, she also had a main role in the 2016 Christmas special of Sherlock as Emelia Ricoletti.
She said: "It's always lovely to step on in character, in your full costume and become part of that Peaky world. Particularly for Lizzie, when she's in the office, you can feel her stationery and flick through her personal papers.
"Even those things, when you read the papers, the designers and props team have thought of every detail. The numbers in the books are all relevant to what Lizzie does. I'm blown away by the attention to detail."
Ned Dennehy as Charlie Strong, Season 1-
Charlie is the uncle of Tommy and his siblings, working at the dockyard and often helping out in their schemes alongside his assistant Curly - he is thought to be their mother's brother.
Ned had a role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, Irish comedy TV series The Young Offenders, as well as Parade's End, Luther, Banished and Dickensian.
Ian Peck as Curly, Season 1-
Curly is Charlie's assistant at the yard. Although he's not a known relation to the Shelby family, he's a very loyal and devoted member of the Peaky Blinders. It's never been discussed by the characters, but Curly is portrayed as having learning difficulties.
Ian recently starred in His Dark Materials as Cardinal Sturrock, and also had a role as the Arch Deacon in Hollywood film Robin Hood. He also had a small role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
Harry Kirton as Finn Shelby, Season 2-
Harry Kirton has played Finn Shelby in the show since series two, taking over the role from Alfie Evans-Meese who played the role in the first season. Other than Peaky Blinders, Harry has starred in We Can Be Heroes as Tyler and also 18, a short film.
Aimée-Ffion Edwards as Esme Shelby, Season 1-4
Skins fans will recognise Esme Shelby's Aimée-Ffion Edwards as Lucy AKA Sketch, who was a character in the first generation and had an obsession with character Maxxie. Other than Skins, she has starred in Being Human, Luther and Wolf Hall, as well as Death In Paradise and Thunderbirds Are Go.
Esme is a daughter in the Lee Gypsy family, who is married to John Shelby by way of a truce and to start a deal between the two families. When John is killed by the Changretta family, Esme takes her and John's children and leaves Birmingham, and hasn't been seen on the show since. However - the actress has been spotted on the set of season 6, so it's highly likely we will see Esme and her children in the upcoming season!
Tom Hardy as Alfie Solomons, Season 2-
Tom Hardy joined the cast in series two as Alfie Solomons, the leader of a Jewish gang based in Camden Town, London. Although they have their differences and are often on opposing sides, Alfie and Tommy are close friends. Unfortunately, at the end of series four, Alfie revealed to Tommy that he had cancer and persuaded Tommy to kill him so he wouldn't suffer any longer. In a huge twist, Alfie returned in the fifth season, having survived the gunshot AND recovered from the illness.
In November 2021, the return of Alfie was teased as a clip of Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) telling his old rival: "I think I may have written your final act", was circulated online.
Charlotte Riley as May Carleton, Season 2 & 4
Tom's real-life wife Charlotte Riley plays May Carleton, a professional horse trainer and widow, who takes Tommy as an occasional lover. Best known for her roles in Wuthering Heights, Edge of Tomorrow and Swimming with Men, she also recently starred in TV series Press.
Of her character, she told the Independent: "In her Tommy finds a kind of equal – she's financially independent, she doesn't need a partner. It's quite interesting to watch the power struggle. Steve writes really fantastic female characters who are moving forward. They're active, not just supporting."
Kate Phillips as Linda Shelby, Season 3-
Kate Phillips joined the cast of Peaky Blinders in series three as the devout Christian wife of Arthur, who is always trying to influence him to be a better man. Kate is best known for her role in Wolf Hall as Jane Seymour, and also for her roles in War & Peace, The Crown and My Mother and Other Strangers. She also appeared in the Downton Abbey film as Princess Mary.
Of Linda's new approach to crime in series four, Kate said: "Linda has had to re-evaluate her tactics. No matter how much she tries to reform Arthur, she must realise that she has to adapt if she wants to keep him. As much as she'd like to resist, she needs to follow Tommy's lead in order to stay alive. In the end she comes to realise, 'If you can't beat them, join them' and as a result has to become a bit of a Peaky herself."
Sam Claflin as Oswald Mosley, Season 5-
Sam Claflin joined the cast for season five as Oswald Mosley, a real-life British politician who became leader of the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s. Having recently starred in The Nightingale and Adrift, he's also well-known for his roles in Me Before You and the Hunger Games film franchise.
Of joining the show, he said: "From Steven Knight's writing to the consistently brilliant production, I couldn't feel more privileged to be invited to join this iconic show."
Anna Taylor-Joy as Gina Gray, Season 5-
Anna Taylor-Joy, who is best known for her roles in The Queen's Gambit, The Miniaturist, Split and The Witch, also joined the cast for the fifth season as Michael's wife, Gina Gray.
She said: "I could not possibly be more excited to be joining such a talented group of people. I can't wait to get in and play this character."
Brian Gleeson as Jimmy McCavern, Season 5-
Brian Gleeson, who has starred in Phantom Thread, Logan Lucky and is also the son of prolific actor Brendan Gleeson and the brother of Domnhall Gleeson, joined the cast in season five as Jimmy McCavern, the leader of the Billy Boys gang from Glasgow.
He said: "Looking forward to kicking around in the mud of Northern England with an exceptional cast and crew. The scripts are wild and pertinent - a classic Peaky brew."
Emmett J. Scanlan as Billy Grade, Season 5-
Former Hollyoaks star Emmett J. Scanlan also joined the cast of Peaky Blinders in season five as Billy Grade, a footballer turned singer who caught the attention of the Shelby family. Emmett is best known for his role on Hollyoaks as Brendan Brady, but he's also had roles in The Fall, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Deceived and Gangs of London.
Stephen Graham - Season 6
With roles in Snatch, Line of Duty and This Is England to name but a few, there's never been a more perfect addition to the Peaky Blinders past than Stephen Graham. He's long been rumoured to be on the show, and he's now been spotted on the set of season 6 in an as-yet-unnamed role.
Aside from the roles previously mentioned, Stephen has also been in Gangs of New York, Public Enemies, Pirates of the Carribean, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Journey's End, Rocketman, The Irishman, Band of Brothers, Boardwalk Empire, Little Boy Blue, The Virtues and White House Farm.
Stephen Graham - Season 6
With roles in Snatch, Line of Duty and This Is England to name but a few, there's never been a more perfect addition to the Peaky Blinders past than Stephen Graham. He's long been rumoured to be on the show, and he's now been confirmed by official Peaky social pages with this photo in an as-yet-unnamed role, as well as being spotted on the set of season 6 in April 2021.
Aside from the roles previously mentioned, Stephen has also been in Gangs of New York, Public Enemies, Pirates of the Carribean, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Journey's End, Rocketman, The Irishman, Band of Brothers, Boardwalk Empire, Little Boy Blue, The Virtues and White House Farm.
Amber Anderson - Season 6
Amber Anderson is joining the cast in an as-yet-unnamed role! The news was announced in February 2021, with Amber and the Peaky social media pages announcing it online. Amber wrote: 'Well, blimey. Beyond thrilled to announce that I will be in the final season of @peakyblindersofficial . We are already filming and it is going to be epic!' Amber is best known for her roles in the 2020 adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. as Jane Fairfax alongside fellow Peaky star Anya Taylor-Joy, as well as a role in a 2013 episode of Black Mirror and The Riot Club as Lady Anne.
Conrad Khan - Season 6
21-year-old Conrad Khan will also join the show for season six in a currently unknown role. Announced by show bosses in March 2021, the social post read: 'We're delighted to welcome bafta #EERisingStar nominee conrad_khan to the cast of #PeakyBlinders series 6.' Conrad has appeared in Black Mirror and played a young version of Chris Hemsworth's character in 2016 film The Huntsman: Winter's War.
James Frecheville - Season 6
29-year-old James Frecheville was announced to be joining the show for season six, again in a currently unknown role. Taking to the Peaky Blinders Instagram to announce one of the new arrivals, show bosses wrote: 'Presenting James Frecheville, who joins the cast of #PeakyBlinders series 6.' The Australian actor is best known for his roles in films such as Animal Kingdom and Black '47, even appearing in a couple of episodes of the hit TV show New Girl.
Joe Cole as John Shelby, Season 1-4
Joe Cole played the role of John Shelby on the show, before he was tragically killed off in season four in an act of revenge by the Changretta family. Joe is best known for his role in Peaky, but also for an episode of Black Mirror and a recurring role on Pure as well as the lead in Gangs of London.
Of leaving the show, he told the Independent: "It was business as usual really, just wrapping what's been a fantastic period of my life. Because the shooting scene didn't require a lot of the main cast and because we have different crews each year it was a pretty low-key exit to be honest.
"I had other projects on and I felt it was the right time to go, really. So it was just a case of feeling like letting some of the other characters grow."
Steven Knight added: "Sometimes it's to do with the character. Sometimes it's to do with... you know, Peaky is getting a huge amount of attention, in the States and here in the UK, so our actors are being picked up for other things.
"When they get picked up for other things, we're not like the American system where you tie the actor in for five series from the beginning and they can't leave. All our people are free to leave whenever they want. We wouldn't have it any other way, but we have to factor that in."
Annabelle Wallis as Grace Shelby, Season 1-3 & 5
Annabelle Wallis portrayed Grace, initially an undercover spy informing on Tommy for Inspector Campbell, but she fell in love with the Peaky leader and couldn't carry on. When Tommy discovered her betrayal, she married an American and moved there, but returned to the UK in series two to seek fertility treatment. She and Tommy spent a night of passion together and when she fell pregnant, she left her husband and the pair finally got together. Sadly, Grace was killed by the mafia in season three, but returned to Tommy as a ghost in the fifth season.
Annabelle played Jane Seymour in The Tudors, and also starred in The Mummy alongside Tom Cruise as Jenny Halsey. She had a small role in X-Men: First Class, as well as King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Sam Neill as Major Campbell, Season 1-2
Major Campbell was Tommy's major opposition in seasons one and two. He was brought in by Winston Churchill to retrieve some stolen guns, but things got very complicated when both he and Tommy fell for Campbell's mole, Grace... After causing havoc for the family throughout season two, he was finally bumped off when Polly shot him in the gut.
Sam is probably best known as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park film series, and also starred as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in The Tudors.
Iddo Goldberg as Freddie Thorne - Season 1
Iddo Goldberg joined the cast of Peaky Blinders for season one, playing Freddie Thorne. Iddo is best known for his roles in Secret Diary of a Call Girl as Ben, US horror series Salem as Isaac Walton and in the Netflix adaptation of Snowpiercer, as Bennett Knox.
Iddo portrayed Freddie Thorne in the first season, Tommy's former best mate, war comrade and eventual nemesis. His relationship with Ada was a huge issue for the ex-friends, as well as his Communist beliefs. Freddie married Ada in the first season and the couple welcomed a son, Karl. Right at the end, Freddie has Tommy's back once again, helping him defeat Billy Kimber's gang. Unfortunately, although his character is mentioned in the second season, he doesn't appear - having died of pestilence or Spanish flu off-screen, and the first episode sees the family at his funeral.
Adrien Brody as Luca Changretta, Season 4
Hollywood star Adrien Brody was the main antagonist of season four, seeking revenge against the Shelbys for the death of his father and brother, Vicente and Angel.
Of playing the role, Adrien told the BBC: "It's a dream role for me in a lot of ways. I'm really grateful, Steve said he had me in mind to play this role. Interestingly, I've always found it odd that I haven't had an opportunity to quite play this character in my relatively lengthy career.
"It leaves me wanting a bit more but it's really fun to embrace. That's the beauty of acting and the process that even if you're playing a bad person, there's an ability to have playfulness with a world that is vastly entertaining to watch but also to embody."
Aidan Gillen as Aberama Gold, Season 4-5
Aidan Gillen joined Peaky Blinders in series four as Aberama Gold, is described as a 'dangers' ally for the Shelbys and also becomes a lover to Polly late in the season. Sadly, Aberama was killed at the end of season five. Aidan is best known for his portrayal of Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish in Game of Thrones, but also for his role in The Wire, Queer as Folk and in the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody as the band's manager, John Reid.
Of joining the cast, Aidan said: "I take things quite literally. The name is quite big and sounds like some kind of a showman, which he is in his way, a larger-than-life figure. In the case of Aberama, I think it's quite important the way the other characters react in such aghast to the idea that they're going to roll this guy in."
Charlie Murphy as Jessie Eden, Season 4-5
Charlie Murphy joined Peaky Blinders in series four as Jessie Eden, based on a real-life person of the same name - a support of the Communist cause and a union convenor who Tommy takes as a lover to manipulate her. Charlie has also starred in Love/Hate, Misfits, Ripper Street and Happy Valley.
Of joining the cast, Charlie said: "She's no damsel in distress. They are two people who have been through so much loss, and they found some comfort in each other. Tommy has definitely met his match in regards to education, that wit and quick thinking. She's a great chess player, just like him. She enjoys his company, and being exercised in some way by another great mind."
Charlie revealed to Digital Spy in 2021 that she would not be returning to Peaky Blinders for season 6, and although the reason for her departure was not discussed, she said a spin-off about Jessie Eden would thoroughly interest her: "I just think she was an incredible woman, and she's a bit of a spy. There's so much. I mean, you could make a TV series about her for sure."
Peaky Blinders will return to BBC One and iPlayer on 27th February 2022.
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