The Peaky Blinders Cast Has Come a Long Way

Eight years and many many many skin-fade haircuts.

The Evolution of Peaky Blinders Cast in the Final Season: A Look at What Has Changed Since Season 1

It has been over two years since the Shelby clan’s assassination attempt on Sir Oswald Mosley ended in failure and betrayal, with allies lost and Tommy Shelby left wandering, suicidal and haunted by the ghost of his late wife, Grace. Now, with Peaky Blinders Season 6—its final season—premiering in the U.S. (it has already aired across the pond in the UK), fans are finally getting answers to the cliffhanger that left Tommy at his most vulnerable.

In an interview with Men’s Health last spring, Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy (Tommy Shelby) explained that the final season would be “gothic,” filled with “big themes and big emotions.” Series creator Steven Knight has been hyping the finale for years, teasing it as a redemption arc for Tommy Shelby. Knight explained that the character, who began the series with a nihilistic view of the world and focused primarily on protecting his family, would experience a significant transformation. “[The final season] will tell a different story, where Tommy Shelby—who begins as this nihilistic, looking-out only for his family person—will be redeemed, and he will become good.”

For a show that has evolved from local conflicts involving a stolen shipment of guns to global entanglements with fascism, the Soviets, and assassination plots, it’s hard to imagine how Season 6 could top what came before. Yet, the stakes are higher than ever. With Tommy and the Peaky Blinders facing off against rivals from street gangs to the IRA, the Soviets, the Italians, and the Scottish, this final season promises to be even more expansive—and emotional—than its predecessors.

The stakes grow not only in terms of the plot but also in the number of power players involved. Returning for the final season are major characters from Season 5, including Sam Claflin as the fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley, Charlene McKenna as the IRA captain Laura McKee, and Neil Maskell as Winston Churchill.

Also returning is Anya Taylor-Joy as Gina Gray, the wife of Michael Shelby, and niece to a new character, Jack Nelson, portrayed by James Frecheville. Another notable addition to the cast is Amber Anderson, who plays Lady Diana Mitford, a real-life socialite and future wife to Oswald Mosley.

While many familiar faces return, one major absence in Peaky Blinders Season 6 is that of Helen McCrory, who portrayed the matriarchal figure Polly Gray. Tragically, McCrory passed away in early 2021, and the first episode is dedicated to her memory.

As the show enters its final chapter, the evolution of the cast both in terms of character development and personal growth is undeniable. From the raw, gritty portrayal of Tommy Shelby’s rise to power to the emotional and complex arcs that culminate in the final season, the transformation of these characters has been profound. Here’s a look at how the main cast of Peaky Blinders has evolved over the course of the series:

Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy)

• Season 1: Thomas is introduced as the ambitious and calculating leader of the Peaky Blinders. He is intelligent, ruthless, and determined to expand the family’s criminal empire after World War I.
• Changes: As the series progresses, Thomas becomes even more complex. His experiences in the war continue to haunt him, and he becomes increasingly burdened by the weight of his decisions. Over time, he struggles with his mental health, dealing with depression, trauma, and the costs of his choices. He also shifts from a purely criminal figure to someone involved in political and business ventures. By the end of the series, he is dealing with the consequences of his actions, which include family tensions and personal losses.

Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson)

• Season 1: Arthur is Thomas’s older brother, a volatile and often violent character. His struggles with his temper and his sense of loyalty to the family are central to his role in the gang.
• Changes: Over the seasons, Arthur’s character evolves significantly. He battles severe PTSD from his time in World War I, which worsens as the series progresses. He struggles with addiction, his own mental health, and his relationship with his family. Despite his violent tendencies, Arthur seeks redemption and stability, attempting to leave the criminal life and find peace. By the later seasons, his character reflects deep internal conflict and a desire to escape the cycle of violence.

Changes in Ada Shelby from Season 1 to Today:

• Season 1: Ada starts off as a more passive character who is somewhat removed from the Shelby family’s criminal world. She initially rejects the violent lifestyle of her brothers and is involved in a romantic relationship with a man named Freddie Thorne, who has ties to communism. Ada’s character is more focused on her personal beliefs and love life rather than the family’s business.
• Changes: As the series progresses, Ada becomes more involved in the Shelby family’s affairs. She moves closer to the core of the family business, especially as the gang’s operations expand and the political and social landscape evolves. Ada transitions from a more naive and distant character to someone who plays a stronger role in the family’s dealings, even becoming a political ally to Tommy in later seasons. Her character grows into a more assertive and independent woman, often providing a moral or emotional anchor for the Shelby family.

Finn Shelby (Harry Kirton)

• Season 1: Finn is the youngest Shelby brother, portrayed as more naive and less involved in the family business compared to his older siblings.
• Changes: As the series moves forward, Finn matures and becomes more integrated into the business. He begins to take on more responsibilities within the family and, as the youngest member, struggles to find his place in the power dynamics of the Shelby family. In later seasons, he becomes more involved in criminal activities and faces the challenges of balancing loyalty to his family with his desire for independence.

Michael Gray (Finn Cole)

• Season 1: Michael is introduced as Polly’s son, who was raised away from the Shelby family. He returns to Birmingham as a young man and gradually becomes involved with the Peaky Blinders.
• Changes: Michael evolves from an outsider into a key figure in the family’s operations. Over time, he becomes more ambitious and increasingly involved in the business, leading to tensions with Tommy. His relationship with Polly also becomes strained, especially when Michael’s ambition drives him to make decisions that challenge the Shelby family’s loyalty. His role as an integral part of the family’s future unfolds as the series progresses.

Lizzie Shelby (Natasha O’Keeffe)

• Season 1: Lizzie is introduced as a prostitute who briefly has a relationship with Tommy. Her character starts as an outsider but develops a more complex role.
• Changes: Lizzie’s character undergoes significant development as the series progresses. She moves from being a former lover of Tommy to becoming a more central figure in the Shelby family, eventually marrying Tommy. As the series continues, Lizzie becomes more involved in the family business and the various personal and political struggles of the Shelbys. She transforms into a more powerful and independent woman, asserting herself within the Shelby clan.

Johnny Dogs (Packy Lee)

• Season 1: Johnny is a member of the Peaky Blinders’ crew and a loyal ally of Tommy Shelby. He is often seen as a comedic or secondary character.
• Changes: While Johnny’s role remains relatively consistent as one of Tommy’s trusted men, his presence in later seasons grows as the family’s operations expand. He becomes more involved in the criminal activities and decisions of the Shelby family, playing a loyal but lesser role in the overall drama of the series.

Alfie Solomon (Tom Hardy)

• Season 1: Alfie is the leader of the Jewish gang in Birmingham. He is initially a minor antagonist and rival to the Peaky Blinders, though there is mutual respect between him and Tommy.
• Changes: Alfie’s character grows significantly in later seasons. His relationship with Tommy deepens, and he becomes a complex ally rather than just a rival. He is often portrayed as unpredictable, cunning, and darkly comedic. Alfie’s interactions with Tommy reveal a more personal side, and his strategic influence plays a key role in the family’s dealings. His presence in later seasons adds an unpredictable and volatile element to the story.

Charlie (Ned Dennehy)

• Season 1: Charlie is a minor character who works as a member of the Peaky Blinders’ extended crew. He is involved in the gang’s activities, including working in the pub.
• Changes: Charlie’s role in the family remains supportive, but he plays a more prominent part in the later seasons. He is a loyal ally to Tommy and the family, especially as their criminal empire grows. He is a figure who represents the more grounded and loyal side of the Shelby operation, though his character remains mostly in the background compared to the main players.

Jeremiah Jesus (Ned Dennehy)

• Season 1: Jeremiah Jesus is introduced as a member of the Peaky Blinders’ extended crew and a confidant to Tommy. He is a minor character with limited screen time in the first season.
• Changes: Over the course of the series, Jeremiah becomes a more significant character. He is involved in the Shelby family’s operations, especially as they grow their influence. While his role is not as prominent as the Shelby brothers, he remains a steady presence, offering support to Tommy and the family through various challenges.