Helen McCrory
Actress, Mum and Philanthropist

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Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media Reviews

Helen McCrory’s absence leaves a chasm as Peaky Blinders draws to a close

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McCrory will be missed terribly. So will Peaky Blinders.

By Ed Cumming | Independent | February 27, 2022

It’s the end of one of the most distinctive, inventive and entertaining series in recent British history

After a decade, 30 episodes, countless grisly beatings and murders, some exact accents and some dodgy ones, endless Nick Cave, plenty of snazzy tailoring and some of the most severe haircuts on TV, the sixth and final series of Peaky Blinders (BBC One) is upon us. Creator Steven Knight has plans for a film, but as far as the small-screen is concerned, this is the finale. It’s the end of one the most distinctive, inventive and entertaining dramas in recent British history, as you may have gleaned from the blanket trailers over the past few months. The entrenched BBC can’t be expected to soft-pedal a rare thing: an international hit that enjoys genuinely popular appeal as well as critical acclaim.

Continue reading Helen McCrory’s absence leaves a chasm as Peaky Blinders draws to a close

Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media Tributes

Peaky Blinders star Sophie Rundle will wear costumes meant for Helen McCrory’s Aunt Polly

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Caption: Peaky Blinders star Sophie Rundle will wear costumes meant for Helen McCrory?s Aunt Polly credit: BBC© Provided by Metro Caption: Peaky Blinders star Sophie Rundle will wear costumes meant for Helen McCrory?s Aunt Polly credit: BBC

Peaky Blinders favourite Helen McCrory will be kept alive by Ada Shelby star Sophie Rundle.

The sixth and final season of the hit BBC series finally comes back to the small screen tonight, more than two years after that epic cliffhanger aired.

However, one person whose absence will be truly felt this time around is Aunt Polly, who ruled the roost of the Shelby family in the previous five seasons.

Actress Helen McCrory, who played the formidable matriarch in the series, died last year aged 52 after a private illness with cancer.

Fans were devastated by the loss of actress and have wondered how the show would address the character’s absence.

Continue reading Peaky Blinders star Sophie Rundle will wear costumes meant for Helen McCrory’s Aunt Polly

Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media Reviews

Peaky Blinders Season 6: Helen McCrory Tribute is a Triumph

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The BBC crime drama returns in style for its sixth and final season

By Abby Robinson | Radio Times | February 22, 2022

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

In a different pair of hands with less gifted performers, Peaky Blinders could quite easily have spiralled into something clownish, eliciting a near-constant stream of ‘You’ve got to be joking me?!’ from audiences. Chances are it wouldn’t have reached a sixth season and the Peaky Blinders movie certainly wouldn’t have been given the greenlight.

But Steven Knight’s conviction in this world coupled with myriad memorable performances and gloriously cinematic direction – season 5’s Anthony Byrne has once again taken the reins on the latest instalment, making him the first director to return – fuses to create TV magic.

Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media Tributes

The Women of Peaky Blinders

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“In Birmingham, the women rule the roost.”

By BBC.co.uk | February 22, 2022

Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson) and Ada Shelby (Sophie Rundle) are pictured at a kitchen table. She kneels in front of him looking concerned. He wears a large red coat, similar to that of Father Christmas.
Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson) and Ada Shelby (Sophie Rundle)

When Steven Knight came to populate the world of Peaky Blinders he didn’t have to invent strong, female characters.

“Having come from a working-class background, and in Birmingham, the women run the show. It was never a question of saying, ‘I’m going to deliberately put some strong women in it…’ It was more like, ‘just look out the window,’ you know, ‘look at what really is happening.’”

During the First World War, he points out, when the men were away, “women did everything.” And so when the men came back – the jumping off point for Peaky Blinders – that wasn’t going to just stop.

“The idea that you’d have this environment where the women were completely subservient?” Knight says. “Nonsense. No, it wasn’t like that. And it isn’t like that. So it’s just a question of reflecting reality.”

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Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media Tributes

Peaky Blinders’ Natasha O’Keeffe speaks of ‘spiritual’ connection with late Helen McCrory

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Natasha O’Keeffe opens up on how she “talked to” the late Helen McCrory on-set of the new BBC series, after she passed away

By Jessica Williams | express.co.uk | February 22, 2022

The untimely death of British actress Helen McCrory, left the nation shocked, after she lost her battle with cancer last April at the age of just 52. Fans, her loved ones and the cast of Peaky Blinders are all still grieving the terrible loss, with Natasha O’Keeffe revealing she sometimes found herself talking to her on-set of the latest series.

I felt the need to connect with her in some way and so I’d ask for strength or encouragement between takes.” Natasha O’Keeffe

Helen, who played Aunt Polly in the hit BBC drama, won’t appear in the new season but creator Steven Knight, reassured fans they’ll see a tribute to the late actress.

Continue reading Peaky Blinders’ Natasha O’Keeffe speaks of ‘spiritual’ connection with late Helen McCrory