Category: Reviews

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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.

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Categories Peaky Blinders Reviews

‘Peaky Blinders’ Season 6 Premiere Recap: Aunt Polly’s Fate Revealed As Show Bids Farewell To Helen McCrory

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Season 6 Premiere Episode is Dedicated to Helen McCrory

By Nancy Tartaglione | Deadline | February

SPOILER ALERT: This post contains details about the Season 6 premiere of Peaky Blinders.

Surprising as it sounds, it has been 889 days since BBC One aired the Season 5 finale of period gangster saga Peaky Blinders. With anticipation at a fever pitch, the first episode of the sixth and final season debuted tonight local time in the UK, providing a first glimpse of how things may tie up for the Shelby family — and importantly paying tribute to star Helen McCrory who passed away last year following a battle with cancer. The premiere episode is dedicated to her.

The last time we checked in with the Shelbys, a foiled attempt to assassinate fascist politician Oswald Mosley had Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) at his wits end and pointing a gun at his own head. In the opening frames of Season 6, we learn that Tommy did not in fact commit suicide — but not for lack of trying: brother Arthur had preemptively removed the bullets from the gun.

Continue reading ‘Peaky Blinders’ Season 6 Premiere Recap: Aunt Polly’s Fate Revealed As Show Bids Farewell To Helen McCrory

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 Damian Lewis Events Poetry Print Media Reviews Tributes

A Poet for Every Day of the Year review: Ode to Helen McCrory cuts to the heart of the matter

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An Ode to Helen McCrory at the National Theatre

by Dominic Maxwell | The Times | January 26, 2022
Damian Lewis paid fitting tribute to his late wife
Damian Lewis paid fitting tribute to his late wife URSZULA SOLTYS

★★★★☆

How would Damian Lewis, making his first stage appearance since the death of his wife Helen McCrory last April, begin an occasion dedicated to her memory? With a no-nonsense nod to the mixture of happiness and sadness of being at an occasional poetry reading event that she had taken part in previously herself? With a poem in her honour, performed to a well-scrubbed crowd (including McCrory’s friend Helena Bonham Carter) who had turned out to see him and Sir Simon Russell Beale, Fay Ripley, Danny Sapani and Lesley Sharp reading from the latest anthology of 366 poems edited by the evening’s organiser and host, Allie Esiri?

Continue reading A Poet for Every Day of the Year review: Ode to Helen McCrory cuts to the heart of the matter

Categories Print Media Reviews Roadkill

Hugh Laurie classes up political scandal in David Hare’s new drama, but maybe we’re too scarred to be thrilled

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Corrupt politics, greedy public officials failing upward – it’s all so tiresome and depressing, isn’t it?

by Melanie McFarland | November 1, 2020 | Salon.com

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Corrupt politics, greedy public officials failing upward – it’s all so tiresome and depressing, isn’t it?But damn if it doesn’t go down more smoothly in a British accent. Usually, I should say.

“Roadkill,” the latest “Masterpiece” limited series from Oscar-nominated screenwriter and playwright David Hare, tests that theory with prismatic tag-along through the a rocky chapter in British government minister Peter Laurence’s career. Played with a rakish confidence by Hugh Laurie, we’re introduced to Peter as he’s walking out of court, victorious in libel case alleging that he lied about an attempt to use his office for financial gain.

Continue reading Hugh Laurie classes up political scandal in David Hare’s new drama, but maybe we’re too scarred to be thrilled