Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media Reviews

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

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 Reviews

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

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 Media Peaky Blinders Print Media Tributes

Peaky Blinders Season Six will “be best yet” and Pay Tribute to Helen McCrory Show Creator Says

Show Creator Steven Knight Teases Season 6

by Husna Anjum | August 26, 2021 | Birmingham Live

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight promises season six will be the “best one yet” and include tribute to the late Helen McCrory, who played matriarch Polly Gray.

Fans were devastated by the death of the renowned actress, who played matriarch Polly Gray, when she died from cancer at age 52 in April.

Show creator Steven Knight could not reveal if Polly Gray scenes were filmed for season six.

But when asked if viewers would see a tribute to Helen Mcrory, the screenwriter said: “In the show, you certainly will. There are plans for other things which may precede broadcasting.”

Continue reading Peaky Blinders Season Six will “be best yet” and Pay Tribute to Helen McCrory Show Creator Says

Categories Events News Peaky Blinders Prince's Trust Print Media Tributes

Fans of Peaky Blinders Hold Charity Walk in Memory of Helen McCrory

Paying Respects to Helen McCrory: Princes Trust and St Basils

Categories Interviews Peaky Blinders Print Media

Helen McCrory Talks Peaky Blinders Season Four

Escaping The Gallows

December 11, 2017 | Tripwire

♦ Peaky Blinders season 4 began on 15 November and it has been a pretty eventful series so far. Here’s a chat with one of its cast members Helen McCrory, who plays Polly Gray, from the BBC themselves…

With Tommy’s actions landing members of the family in prison at the end of series three, where do we find Polly at the beginning of series four?

We open the series on Polly, Arthur, John and her son Michael being led to the gallows. In this moment, which is a real turning point for Polly, we see her believing that she’s going to die. She calls on the Virgin Mary to bring the spirits of her mum, her dad and her daughter to her. In that moment, she believes she sees her daughter’s face and from this moment on Polly believes that she’s living with the spirits constantly around her. Either she’s had some sort of mental breakdown and is unable to cope with reality or she really does see the spirit of her daughter and therefore has this newfound understanding of life. Once you take away the fear of death in someone, they have a sort of immortality. Her near death experience mirrors Tommy and Arthur’s time in the trenches. So these three characters are united in this fearless attitude towards life at the beginning of this series, which is what makes them so dangerous.

Continue reading Helen McCrory Talks Peaky Blinders Season Four