Tag: Steven Knight

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Helen McCrory: A shining star at her peak

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She stole the show and our hearts

By Cole Moreton | February 6, 2022 | YOU Magazine

Aunt Polly dresses to kill. Literally. In series two of Peaky Blinders, she gets all glammed up in a hat, gloves and lace choker plus hidden revolver. It’s a scene that reveals her ruthlessness as she seeks outa police chief who has raped her. Polly gets close enough to kiss him, then shoots the devil through the heart. And as he dies, Polly spits out a line that has come to define the show: ‘Don’t f*** with the Peaky Blinders.’ As the camera lingers on her wild eyes and drying tears, we see again why Helen McCrory was hailed as one of the best actors of her generation, even before she agreed to play a leading role in this brutal family drama set in the slums of Birmingham just after the First World War.

Helen turned it down at first, for fear of being asked to play a cliché. ‘My own grandparents grew up in the slums of Glasgow and were miners’ kids in Cardiff and I thought I was going to be there with a mangle saying things like: “Gotta get up early to get a wash on in the back yard.”’

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Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media Tributes

Peaky Blinders’ Cillian Murphy Explains How Helen McCrory’s Death Will Impact Season 6

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“We couldn’t quite fathom it all as we were making it.”

by Dan Seddon | Digital Spy | January 20, 2022

Helen McCrory and Cillian Murphy attend the Premiere of BBC Two’s drama “Peaky Blinders” episode one, series three at BFI Southbank on May 3, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight managed to keep the late great Helen McCrory “very present” in the upcoming sixth and final season.

The Polly Gray performer tragically died last April following her battle with cancer, but according to Tommy Shelby star Cillian Murphy, she would’ve reprised her role if it hadn’t been for pandemic-related complications.

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Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media Tributes

Peaky Blinders Creator: Continuing without Helen McCrory was a challenge

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               Steven Knight reflects on the death of the “incredible actor”

Naomi Clark | PA Entertainment | January 17, 2022

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight said continuing the story after the death of actress Helen McCrory was a “challenge” – but believes she would have wanted them to keep going with the crime drama.

McCrory, who played Shelby family matriarch Polly Gray in the hit BBC One show, died from cancer aged 52 last April.

Knight reflected on the show’s future following the death of the “incredible actor”, as well as his upcoming projects – including the upcoming stage adaptation, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby.

He told the PA news agency: “It was a terrible, tragic loss that happened while we were shooting.

“And the loss of such an incredible human being is the main thing. The loss of such an incredible actor is awful.

“She was right at the heart (of the series). There are three central characters – she was one of them.

“And it’s a challenge, and was a challenge, to keep going with the story without her. But we knew that she would have wanted that to continue. So that’s what we did.”

The actress, the wife of Homeland star Damian Lewis, had starred in every series of the show since it began in 2013.

 

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Peaky Blinders Creator Steven Knight Talks About Helen McCrory on BBC Breakfast

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“We hope the series itself will be a testament to Helen”

BBC Breakfast | January 18, 2022

 

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

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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.”

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