Peaky Blinders: A full recap of the events from Season Four
Catch up on what you missed!
Last updated 19th Apr 2021
Peaky Blinders has now seen five seasons of the incredibly popular TV show, but if you missed the boat and are only just catching up now - don't worry. We've collected everything you need to know about season one, season two, season three and season five of Peaky Blinders to read up on.
Read on for a quick recap of what happened in season four, which starred Hollywood actor Adrien Brody as the season's primary antagonist, Luca Changretta. Be warned - it started with a bang, and there are SPOILERS ahead...
What happened in Peaky Blinders season 4?
Season 4 of Peaky Blinders felt a little different - although horrible things had happened to the family before, nothing could prepare fans for the moment John Shelby was shot to death in the first episode.
This came after the very beginning of the show, which saw Polly, John, Arthur and Michael being walked to the noose for their crimes in the previous series - but thankfully, Tommy was able to get them pardoned with just seconds to spare.
These events split the family off from each other for a whole year - although Tommy was responsible for getting them out of there, he was also responsible for putting them there in the first place.
Sadly, the trauma from her near-death experience has Polly spiralling down, and she ends up taking tablets to try and stop the visions. Unfortunately, the problems had only just begun for the Shelbys, as Luca Changretta (Adrien Brody) sought vengeance for the death of his father and brother, Vincente and Angel.
Michael spends most of the series in the hospital, recovering from his injuries, and hitman Aberama Gold (Aidan Gillen) is introduced along with his boxer son, Bonnie (Jack Rowan), and one of Tommy's workers Jessie Eden (Charlie Murphy) causes trouble in the factory.
There were a lot of twists and turns down the road between the Changrettas and Shelbys - and although there was a slight betrayal in the family, the Shelbys were able to finish off the Changrettas. Sadly, the finale saw the demise of fan-favourite Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy), after he provokes Tommy into killing him as he had cancer.
We also find out that Lizzie has fallen pregnant with Tommy's child, with Polly predicting a girl and advising Lizzie to call her Ruby, and Tommy becomes an MP.
When did season four of Peaky Blinders air?
The fourth series started airing on BBC Two on 15th November 2017, and the finale aired on 20th December 2017.
How many episodes were in Peaky Blinders season 4?
Series four was made up of six episodes, just like the previous ones.
Who was in the Peaky Blinders season 4 cast?
Read all about the cast of Peaky Blinders here.
How can I watch Peaky Blinders series 4?
Get it all on Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Remembering Helen McCrory
Sadly, it was announced in April 2021 that the talented actress Helen McCrory, who played Polly Gray, had died at the age of 52.
Following the heartbreaking news, friends, family and fans paid tribute to the late star.
Scroll through to see all the Peaky Blinders filming locations...
The Black Country Living Museum
The Black Country museum is home to many of the filming locations for Peaky Blinders, and if you take a trip around the museum for a day you'll be sure to recognise some past scenes of the show.
Pictured here is Uncle Charlie's dockyard, home to many dodgy dealings between the Shelby brothers as well as allowing safe passage for who or whatever they need to get out of the Midlands. Read up on the museum here.
Powis Street, Liverpool
Much of the filming for Peaky Blinders is done in and around Liverpool, and different companies host many tours in the city so that fans of the show can see where the magic happens. This particular street is used for the Shelby families homes in the first season, named Watery Lane on the show.
Formby Beach, Liverpool
Many heartbroken viewers will spot that Formby Beach in Liverpool was the spot where Alfie Solomons (played by Tom Hardy) admitted his betrayal to Tommy, and basically forced Tommy into shooting him dead after confessing that he had cancer. It was very emotional.
Port Sunlight, Wirral
Port Sunlight is a model village in the Wirral, Merseyside. Although the village and the homes within it were originally built for workers at the Lever Brothers Factory, it's now a tourist attraction. Eagle-eyed Peaky fans will recognise the timbered housing as Aunt Polly's home, which is 'in' Sutton Coldfield in the show.
Arley Hall, Cheshire
Once Tommy became as 'legit' as he could in season three, he and Grace moved themselves into an incredible country house. Sadly, Grace was shot dead at a party they hosted there, but Tommy continued to live there with their son Charlie as well as their staff.
Arley Hall is situated in Northwich, Cheshire, and is often used as a wedding venue. Other shows to be filmed there include Coronation Street, Antiques Roadshow and Cold Feet.
General Manager Steve Hamilton said, "It's been incredible to see the effort and attention to detail that goes into a production such as Peaky Blinders. There was a real buzz around Arley during the filming and it was great to work with the BBC on such a popular and critically acclaimed drama. The great thing now is that people will be able to visit us this summer and walk in the rooms where these amazing stars have filmed their scenes."
Manchester Town Hall
The town hall in Manchester was apparently used as a building front in a scene in one of the first two seasons where Sam Neill's character, Major Campbell, visits Winston Churchill, but Peaky Blinders' Production Designer Grant Montgomery told i News that "the interiors were done in another location." So cryptic!
Victoria Baths, Manchester
The Victoria Baths in Manchester were used for scenes in season two. After Polly's son Michael returned, having been raised in the countryside by adoptive parents, the Shelby brothers took him along to a horse fair where Tommy bought a filly and also met May Carleton. Of course, in true Peaky style, the day ends in a fight, but the filming for the fair took place at the baths.
Montgomery told i, "I remember thinking Victoria Baths could give it a really good look. One of the baths had timber over it, so we put sawdust down on top."
Bolton
The centre of Bolton was used for various scenes in the show, but Le Mans crescent in Bolton was used for shots to capture the Shelby brothers' trip to London, and specifically the exterior of the Eden Club - the jazz den owned by Sabini, who becomes a nemesis to the family.
Montgomery told i, "We were thinking how to do London in the 1920s, and Bolton has that wonderful crescent. So I said, 'Well, this is our London.' And the exterior to the Eden Club was all done in Bolton."
Brooke’s Mill, Huddersfield
Producers used Brooke's Mill in Huddersfield as the location for the gypsy campsite, using traditional caravans and carts, as well as horses.
Leeds Town Hall
Many fans of the show were convinced that the scenes in which Campbell and Grace share information about the Shelby family in the art gallery were filmed at the Town Hall in Birmingham. However, the front was actually shot at the Town Hall in Leeds.
Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon
However, the scenes on the inside of the art gallery where Campbell and Grace surreptitiously pass notes to each other were filmed at the Newby Hall & Gardens in Ripon, North Yorkshire.
Keighley and Worth Valley Steam Railway
Most of the Peaky moments that take place on a train or at a station happen on the Keighley and Worth Valley railway line. It's a 5-mile long rail line that runs through a small part of West Yorkshire, and many will recognise Keighley as the station where Grace shot Major Campbell in season one.
Undercliffe Cemetery, Bradford
The shots in season one where Polly pays her respects at the cemetery and meets Freddie Thorne laying flowers for his mum is thought to have been shot in Bradford at the Undercliffe Cemetery.
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Yorkshire
If it's a scene involving a train station, this historic Yorkshire station is likely to be the filming location, boasting gorgeous old platforms and carriages, picturesque walking paths and eye-catching backdrops.
Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
If you're looking for May Carleton's mansion, featured in season two of Peaky Blinders, then Chatsworth House, in Bakewell, Derbyshire, is the place! The stunning historic building is perfect for aristocratic horse-trainer May Carleton.
Episodes shot at Chatsworth include huge stars of the show, including Cillian Murphy (as Thomas Shelby), Charlotte Riley (as May Carleton) and Annabelle Wallis (as Grace Burgess).
READ MORE:
Peaky Blinders recap: What happened in season one?
Peaky Blinders recap: What happened in season two?
Peaky Blinders recap: What happened in season three?
Peaky Blinders recap: What happened in season five?