Peaky Blinders' director just debunked a HUGE season 5 theory đź‘€
Were you convinced by this theory?
Last updated 19th Apr 2021
Fans of Peaky Blinders are some of the most loyal out there - so it's no surprise that they've got theories galore about the storylines on the show. After the recent season 5, one particular theory quickly did the rounds, and many viewers latched onto it.
Everyone became convinced that there was something more sinister going on with Michael's new bride Gina, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. There was one particular scene where fascist Oswald Mosley - the villain of season 5 - was having sex with a blonde woman who wore her hair in tight curls... The same as Gina.
Is Oswald Mosley having an affair with Gina Grey?
Of course, this sparked off a whole host of theories that Gina was secretly working for Oswald and had ingratiated herself into the family to get intel.
However, director Anthony Byrne has put paid to that rumour very simply in an interview with Digital Spy. When asked about the theory, he said, "No, no, it’s not. I would’ve shown Anya Taylor-Joy, there would have been a reason, it would have been more shocking to see her and know once and for all."
Anthony added to the publication that they would have got Anya's permission beforehand, as sex scenes are meticulously planned to ensure everyone is comfortable, clarifying, "It definitely wasn’t Anya Taylor-Joy and it certainly wasn’t a stand-in for her character. So yeah, no is the answer."
If you're new to Peaky Blinders - firstly, where have you been?! Secondly, we've invested quite a few viewing hours into the incredible series already, and have taken the time to write you a handy guide as to what's happened in the show so far.
Whether you've watched bits here and there, or just like to spoil endings for yourself, read on for a recap of what's happened in Peaky Blinders seasons one to five. In case you hadn't realised... 🚨SPOILER ALERT 🚨.
What happened in Peaky Blinders season five?
At the end of series four, we saw Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) be elected as a Labour MP for Birmingham South and welcome a daughter with on-off lover Lizzie Stark (Natasha O'Keeffe), whom he’s since married, as we discovered in the season five premiere.
Series five picks up four years later in 1929, and the official synopsis reads as follows, 'Series five finds the world thrown into turmoil by the financial crash of 1929.
'Opportunity and misfortune are everywhere. When Tommy Shelby MP is approached by a charismatic politician with a bold vision for Britain, he realises that his response will affect not just his family’s future but that of the entire nation.'
Through his new political venture, Tommy comes into contact with real-life character Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin), who was leader of the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s and tries to entice Tommy to be part of the movement.
Although Tommy is secretly against the cause, he gives the appearance of being involved whilst actually informing on Oswald. Unfortunately, he gets in too deep, and is inadvertently involved in the death of his sister Ada Thorne's (Sophie Rundle) partner and father of her unborn child, Colonel Ben Younger (Kingsley Ben-Adir).
There was a huge cliffhanger at the end of the season, with Tommy being betrayed by someone on the inside. Whilst we don't know yet for sure who it is, it seems as though the youngest Shelby, Finn (Harry Kirton), blabbed his mouth to Billy Grade (Emmett J. Scanlan), who could have given away the secrets. But we'll find out for sure in the next series!
Tommy began to suspect Aunt Polly's (Helen McCrory) son Michael Gray (Finn Cole) of plotting to overthrow him and become the head of the family, bringing over his new wife Gina (Anya Taylor-Joy) to meet the family... And it didn't exactly go down well.
Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson) had a pretty dramatic time in the series - after finding out that his wife Linda (Kate Phillips) was growing close to a male friend with rumours of an affair, he went to find the man and beat him to within an inch of his life, totally mutilating his face. When Linda found out, she came to shoot Arthur, but missed and was sent away by the family.
The season five finale was as explosive as you'd imagine, with the return of a favourite character - Tom Hardy's character Alfie Solomons survived the shot from Tommy AND his cancer! The fifth season also broke an incredible viewing record.
When did season five of Peaky Blinders air?
Peaky Blinders series five aired on BBC One for the first time for the fifth season, having been broadcast from BBC Two for the previous four series. It began on 25th August 2019 and finished 22nd September 2019.
Show creator Steven Knight has recently revealed that he thinks the fifth season could be the best so far, calling it "really good", adding that it's "fantastic and it all fell together beautifully." He went on to say, "Great performances and I think audiences are going to be on the edge of their seats.
"I did some research because the new series starts in 1929. In that era, some of the most notorious gangs were in Glasgow. This season is about a particular gang called The Billy Boys who become an issue for our friends in Birmingham."
How many episodes were in Peaky Blinders season 5?
Same as the others, season five was made up of six episodes.
Who was in the Peaky Blinders series 5 cast?
Read up on the Peaky Blinders case here.
Is Peaky Blinders season 5 on Netflix?
Rejoice! Netflix released the most recent fifth season in April 2020, and therefore is now available to stream on the service along with the previous four series. After it aired in August 2019, fans have been able to catch up on BBC iPlayer, but it's now available on Netflix too.
Netflix announced the news in a simple tweet, which read, '🚨 Peaky Blinders s5 is now on Netflix 🚨', and the official Peaky Blinders Twitter profile added that director Anthony Byrne would be joining them for a Q&A session, which took place that evening.
How can I watch Peaky Blinders season 5?
You can watch season five on BBC iPlayer and it's also on Netflix with seasons 1-4.
What's the Peaky Blinders game?
There will also be a game out this summer! Peaky Blinders: Mastermind will be available on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch later this year, and is a sequel to the TV series. The official description on Steam reads, 'Peaky Blinders: Mastermind lets you join the Shelby family's criminal gang.
'Follow the rise of Tommy as he successfully uncovers a sinister plot to put the family out of business, proving himself worthy of being the true mastermind of the Peaky Blinders.'
According to IGN, who exclusively revealed the new game, players will be able to embody different characters from the show, all with unique abilities: Tommy (threatening), Arthur (brawling and door kicking), Polly (bribing and lock picking), John (arson and brawling), Ada (distraction) and Finn (sneaking and pickpocketing).
Remembering Helen McCrory
It was sadly announced in April that actress Helen McCrory, best known for playing the role of Polly Gray in the show, had died at the age of 52.
Friends, family and fans have since paid tribute to the actress, including the official Peaky Blinders account.
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:
Here's everything you need to know about Peaky Blinders.
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 four?