Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media

‘Peaky Blinders’ EP Caryn Mandabach on How Tommy – and Aunt Polly – Got the Series Finale They Deserved

Farewell to Aunt Polly

Despite “Peaky Blinders” being centered on a gang in the 1900s with razor blades sewed into their caps, it’s the women – both on and off the screen – who are the sharpest of the bunch. Leading the pack is executive producer Caryn Mandabach, whose company Caryn Mandabach Productions owns and operates the Peaky Blinders IP. “I’m the studio, as we would say in America…. Pretend I’m Sony” she told WrapWomen during a recent Zoom interview.

But being the boss is a double-edged razor. On one end, Mandabach gets to oversee exciting projects like partnering with Bushmills Irish Whiskey on a special Peaky Blinders recipe. On the other, Mandabach must always keep her business cap on – no matter how tough the situation.

Continue reading ‘Peaky Blinders’ EP Caryn Mandabach on How Tommy – and Aunt Polly – Got the Series Finale They Deserved

Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media Tributes

Cillian Murphy: Final Season of ‘Peaky Blinders’ Is ‘Richest and Deepest’ to Date

“I think the whole series is really in tribute to her and to honor her”

Monica Marie Zorrilla | Variety | February 11, 2022

Cillian Murphy was named one of the greatest Irish film actors in 2020 and has been nominated for multiple international awards over a 25-year career. But in stepping into an executive producing role in recent years, the “Peaky Blinders” star and frequent Christopher Nolan collaborator is discovering another side to the craft that’s been a humbling experience.

“I had to look at my own performances in a very cold and objective way,” Murphy tells Variety. “I think it’s a valuable lesson to look at the story in its entirety, without just, like, focusing on the size of your ears.”

When Murphy became a producer on Seasons 5 and 6 of “Peaky Blinders,” he had to take on new duties such as helping the edit team after long days of working as an actor and analyzing his portrayal of Tommy Shelby, the protagonist of the ruthless BBC period crime drama.

Continue reading Cillian Murphy: Final Season of ‘Peaky Blinders’ Is ‘Richest and Deepest’ to Date

Categories Peaky Blinders Print Media Tributes

Cillian Murphy Reflects on the Tragic Loss of his co-star Helen McCrory

The ‘Magnificent’ Helen

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 03: Paul Anderson, 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)

by Miranda Collinge | Esquire UK | February 1, 2022

Helenistic’s note: The following is a part of a longer interview Cillian Murphy gave to Esquire UK.

In March 2020, Murphy was preparing to fly to Manchester to shoot the final season of Peaky Blinders. Pre-production was complete; the sets were built. Yet the first cases of Covid-19 in both England and Ireland had already been identified. There were rumours of lockdowns. Murphy and his co-star, Helen McCrory, who had also been in the series since the show began in 2013, playing Tommy’s spunky Aunt Polly, were concerned.

“I do remember both myself and Helen calling the producers and saying, ‘Guys, surely we can’t do this?’” Murphy recalls. “They were saying, ‘Well, we’re still waiting to see.’ And then, eventually, they called it.”

Continue reading Cillian Murphy Reflects on the Tragic Loss of his co-star 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 Peaky Blinders Print Media Tributes

Peaky Blinders Dedicates Season 6 to Helen McCrory

Remembering Colleague and Friend Helen McCrory

by Helenistic | helen-mccrory.com | May 28, 2021

Peaky Blinders Official Twitter let the fans know  today that they just finished filming the sixth and the final season of the series.

Cillian Murphy, who led the Peaky Blinders tributes to Helen in April, recently revealed how hard it has been filming the last scenes of Peaky Blinders without her in an interview with Men’s Health Magazine. Continue reading Peaky Blinders Dedicates Season 6 to Helen McCrory