Peaky Blinders has been a global sensation for years, in a large part due to the distinct characters and the quality of the cast performances. There are tons of compelling dialogue in Peaky Blinders that has stayed memorable for viewers over the years. The show has no shortage of quick-witted characters who interplay with each other verbally often; leading to scenes filled with stellar dialogue.
Some quotes by the plethora of characters are more memorable than others and a big part of that is the quote’s importance in the context of the scene it appears in. British crime drama shows like Peaky Blinders are well worth a watch to viewers who enjoy intricate storytelling with A-star performances
Peaky Blinders has now concluded on television, with a rumored film due to come out in the future. Season Six provided a more character-focused season than past entries, and was unfortunately lacking one of its best characters, Polly Gray, due to Helen McCrory’s untimely passing.
Despite this, there were plenty of memorable lines of dialogue in the show’s final series, and gave hope to a future film coming to fruition that would both finish the series for good as well as retaining the memorable dialogue that the series had become so known for.
14″No Matter What It Takes, No Matter How Many Lies I Have To Tell, I Will Take Revenge On Tommy Shelby” – Michael Shelby
Despite Tommy giving Michael a lot of power and position within the Shelby Company, tension had been brewing between the characters for a couple of seasons, noticeably when Michael failed to warn Tommy of a double-cross that would have led to his death. In Series 5, this conflict was developed further with Michael trying to usurp Tommy as head of the family.
In Series 6 the Shelbys were in open conflict, scheming and lying in order to try and kill the other. Michael starts the series off in the opener by saying this, making it clear that he would prove to be one of the villains of the series.
13“There Will Be A War And One Of You Will Die, But Which One I Cannot Tell” – Polly Gray
Despite the death of Helen McCrory, Polly managed to have a significant part to paly in Peaky Blinders‘ final series, using deleted scenes from Series 5. This quote proved to be the set-up of much of Series 6, as it spoke of the conflict and feud Tommy and Michael were having each other.
Since Polly had been suggested as being of a supernatural nature, at least in part due to her gypsy heritage, a quote like this from Polly was significant enough to raise the stakes for the show’s final season dramatically. It did not disappoint.
12“No More Polly. No More Whiskey. No More Tommy” – Lizzie Shelby
Tommy Shelby is a much different character in Season 6, changed by the death and betrayals around him that had reached a head in the Series 5 finale. Lizzie comments on this early on in the series, which reflects that Tommy had given up alcohol and lost his Aunt Polly to the hands of the IRA.
Tommy was definitely much different, but the calculating gangster persona was still there, only wizened by years and loss. The grief and alcohol issues had finally shown that Tommy, like any other person, could be affected by the situation around him.
11“Beware The Man With The Bleeding Heart Tattoo, With ‘Maria’ Written In Red” – Tommy Shelby
Tommy had started to read poetry in his time of being sober, taking more of an interest in language and the work of people who had come before him. Michael and the other associates working under Jack Nelson laughed at Tommy for this during their meeting on the island of Miquelon.
It is why it was such as great quote when Tommy, who had taken their disdain and passive attempts to humiliate him in his stride, left them with a clue of an informant within their organization spoken in a pseudo-poetic way. This line and scene showed that Tommy was still as quick-thinking and in control as he had been in the previous series.
10“Don’t F*** With The Peaky Blinders” – Everyone, But Mainly Polly Gray
Frequently appearing through the episodes, “Don’t f*** with the Peaky Blinders” has become one of the most iconic lines in the show, which was partially acknowledged when Gina Gray finishes the line for Tommy during Series 5. The Peaky Blinders can be a truly evil gang when they are pushed into action, giving this line weight to those who hear it.
Often uttered by members of the Shelby family, this saying has become something of a victory catchphrase for the gang whenever they defeat a villain.
9“Whiskey’s Good Proofing Water. Tells You Who’s Real And Who Isn’t”
Tommy developed a side project in making his own whiskey during the second series, showing how he treats life like a business sim game. This side hustle has gone on to become an income source he appears to be pursuing more seriously and has regularly offered it to those he holds meetings with. In a funny running joke, usually, nobody likes it.
This line by Tommy shows his businesslike ability to vet those he may be choosing to work with. By giving prospective business partners whiskey, it allows him to get the full measure of the man (or woman) while they are under the influence.
8“If You Make The Wrong Choice, You Won’t See 11:44”
This line by Tommy is delivered brilliantly by Cillian Murphy. During the scene in Series 3, Episode 3, Tommy visits a man who may have information that he needs. The man is afraid to pass this on to Tommy under the fear of being killed for it until Tommy reminds him that the Peaky Blinders also kill people who don’t help them.
Tommy reminds the man that he can be scared of Section D at some point in the future or the Peaky Blinders at exactly 11:43. This “you won’t see 11:44” quote is delivered straight after, perfectly making his point known to the man.
7“I Hear That You’ve Got Italians, Mate. You Got A Kestrel For Them An’ All?”
Alfie has got a very distinct way of speaking that reflects Cockney speech patterns. In addition to this, he’s also very clever with his words, leading to lots of great quotes like this one.
When meeting Tommy during Series 4, Alfie uses this quote to enquire to Tommy about what he’s going to do about the Changretta family. The Changretta family have powerful ties to mobsters in America, and due to a vendetta with the Peaky Blinders, arrive in Birmingham after living in New York to attempt to kill them.
6“May You Be In Heaven A Full Half Hour Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead”
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This line by Grace Shelby is a clever saying that is meant as kindness as well as an insult. She’s saying that the person will end up in Hell, but she likes them enough that they should be given at least a bit of time in Heaven before going down to Hell.
It’s rooted in faith, but it’s a non-serious compliment that reflects the dark humor that Peaky Blinders is known for. Grace says this line to Tommy during Series 3, but it actually comes from an old Irish drinking toast.
5“He’ll Wake Up. Granted, He Won’t Have Any Teeth Left, But He’ll Be A Wiser Man For It”
This quote by Alfie Solomons encapsulates his dry humor mixed with being sinister. Alfie says this line in Peaky Blinders‘ second series during the third episode. Talking about somebody who was beaten black and blue by the Blinders’ gang, this line shows how violence has been normalized in the British criminal underworld.
Alfie is full of dialogue such as this that makes light of characters going through extreme hardship or traumatic incidents, and it is part of the character’s overall charm that has elevated him to one of the best characters on the show.
4“I’m Just An Extreme Example Of What A Working Class Man Can Achieve”
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Tommy and his family come from the very bottom of the working-class, which is what has made him and his family’s ascension into the top echelon of society so much more impressing. In Series 4, Tommy vaults head-first into the world of politics, as if in a political video game, and struggles to find his place due to the other politicians viewing him as nothing more than a lower-level citizen.
This dialogue is a modest line from Tommy in response to his success being marveled at. It is clear that the idea of class means a great deal to Tommy, and a big reason why he hates fascism is the elite shutting out certain groups of people based on their heritage and station in life.
3“It’s Not A Good Idea To Look At Tommy Shelby The Wrong Way”
Spoken in Series 1, this line of dialogue by Tommy himself is said to Grace late at night while she is working as a barmaid at the Garrison pub, which is the gang’s hideout. Being a secret agent, Grace is investigating Tommy, which he expects, adding a sinister undertone to the line.
Tommy has shown to be the most measured out of him, John, and Arthur, but at times he has been shown to be just as capable physically as them, if not more so. While he does use his brain rather than brawn most of the time, he reacts to any disrespect with brute force.
2“I Don’t Pay For Suits. My Suits Are On The House Or The House Burns Down”
Another line said by Tommy Shelby during Series 1, this line is said to Grace about his tailor-made suits. While it reads like a joking sentence, Tommy is absolutely serious when he says it. The Peaky Blinders expect favors and respect for the good they do for the community and have no qualms about burning businesses down to the ground to prove a point. Being one of the most powerful gangs in England, they have a reputation to uphold.
Since this line is said to Grace at a time where she and Tommy are falling in love with each other, it is possible this quote was a cheeky line to show off. In which case, it clearly worked, as Tommy went on to marry Grace during the third series.
1“Everyone’s A W**e Grace. We Just Sell Different Parts Of Ourselves”
This incredibly prophetic line is the best quote in all of Peaky Blinders and comes from Tommy to Grace in Series 1. During a conversation in the Garrison pub, while Grace is working a barmaid shift, they have a tense conversation as they learn about each other.
Tommy’s quote shows plainly the way he views the world and the people in it, and it contains a lot of wisdom in how the structure of our world leads to people selling themselves in different ways to make ends meet.
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