10 Tragic Farewells in Peaky Blinders

Article Overview

Peaky Blinders excels at crafting complex characters and their deaths are some of the most emotional moments in the show.

The deaths of Grace Shelby, John Shelby, and Polly Gray are especially devastating because of their endearing nature and the profound effect they have on other characters. The show does not shy away from eliminating any character, regardless of age or innocence, as demonstrated by the deaths of Ruby Shelby and Digbeth Kid.

Peaky Blinders excels in creating complex characters that form a strong connection with viewers, amplifying the impact of the show's tragic deaths. Set in early 20th-century Birmingham, England, Peaky Blinders revolves around a notorious gang led by the Shelby family. Starting as small-time bookmakers, the Shelbys' story unfolds as they rise to become one of England's most influential and powerful gangs. Eventually, Tommy Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy), the head of the family, gains significant influence as a member of the British Parliament.

However, their journey towards economic and political dominance is far from peaceful. Along the way, numerous sacrifices are made in pursuit of Tommy's ambitions. The Shelbys find themselves entangled in a perilous game, resulting in the sorrowful loss of many friends and family members. Amongst these deaths, certain moments stand out as particularly poignant throughout the series.

10. Grace Shelby

Grace Shelby (Annabelle Wallis) meets a tragically shocking end during one of the most memorable seasons of Peaky Blinders. While she savors the joy of dancing at a Shelby-hosted soirée, tragedy strikes as an Italian hitman takes aim at Tommy, inadvertently killing Grace instead. The heart-wrenching aspect of this ordeal lies in the fact that, unlike the morally compromised characters prevalent throughout the Peaky Blinders ensemble, Grace always exudes kindness and compassion. Moreover, her death arrives with such unanticipated swiftness that it delivers an agonizing blow, intensifying the pain of the moment.

9. John Shelby

The death of John Shelby in season 4 of Peaky Blinders is a deeply tragic moment that resonates with viewers. Among the Shelby brothers, John, portrayed by Joe Cole, was known for his strong sense of family and exceptional care for his loved ones. His passing leaves a significant impact on Arthur (Paul Anderson) and Tommy, intensifying their grief in the subsequent episodes. While John may not have always been a perfect person, he possessed a kinder heart compared to Tommy or Arthur, and was surrounded by a loving family. The memory of John's death lingers throughout the rest of the Peaky Blinders series, leaving an indelible mark on fans.

8. Polly Gray

The late Helen McCrory in Peaky Blinders

Polly Gray's death in the show is particularly poignant, not only because she is one of the most well-developed characters, but also due to the unfortunate passing of the talented actress who portrayed her, Helen McCrory, at the age of 52. McCrory's untimely demise in 2021, during the production of season 6, compelled the show to alter its course and bring about the demise of her character. Season 6 of Peaky Blinders pays a heartfelt tribute to both Polly and McCrory, successfully honoring the actress and the character she brought to life.

7. Ruby Shelby

In Peaky Blinders season 6, Ruby Shelby (played by Orla McDonagh) tragically passes away at the tender age of seven due to tuberculosis. The death of a child character is always heart-wrenching, and Peaky Blinders intensifies this by prolonging the uncertainty of her illness, making her eventual demise all the more devastating. Ruby's untimely death highlights the show's willingness to eliminate any character, regardless of their age or innocence, as she never had the opportunity to make any mistakes in her short life.

6. Freddie Thorne

Freddie Thorne, portrayed by Iddo Goldberg, succumbs to influenza off-screen in the television series Peaky Blinders. While his actual demise is not depicted, its aftermath leaves a profound impact. Tommy, played by __________, fulfills his earlier promise to Freddie during their time in World War I by speaking at his gravesite, delivering a deeply affecting and emotional speech. Adding to the heartbreak, Ada, portrayed by Sophie Rundle, is left to raise their child on her own following Freddie's untimely death. This, too, contributes to the overwhelming sorrow surrounding his passing.

5. Digbeth Kid

Harold Hancox, also known as Digbeth Kid (portrayed by James Eeles), is an unsuspecting young man whose life takes a tragic turn when the Shelbys offer to compensate him for a night in jail. Although the intention is for Harold to be released after a day, he tragically falls victim to enemies of the Shelby family and is brutally murdered on the same night. Despite his innocence and youthful spirit, Harold's untimely demise remains one of the most heart-wrenching deaths in Peaky Blinders.

4. Bonnie Gold

Bonnie Gold, portrayed by Jack Rowan, meets a tragic end at the hands of the Billy Boys, a Scottish gang. This character's demise strikes a deep chord within the storyline due to his youthfulness and relative innocence in the Peaky Blinders realm. Bonnie's admirable boxing skills and the profound pride his father, Aberama Gold (played by Aidan Gillen), holds for him make his brutal murder all the more devastating.

3. Ben Younger

Colonel Ben Younger (played by Kingsley Ben-Adir) meets a tragic end in season 5 of Peaky Blinders. He falls victim to a car bomb after Tommy attempts to share information exposing Oswald Mosley (portrayed by Sam Claflin) and his involvement in various criminal activities. Mosley, known for his cunning nature, clearly orders the murder of Ben. Ben Younger is a good-hearted individual and forms a bond with Ada before his untimely demise, intensifying the grief surrounding his death. Ada, unfortunately, seems to experience the loss of every man she cares for in the Peaky Blinders series, further magnifying the sadness of Ben's passing.

2. Aberama Gold

Aberama Gold, despite his complexity and occasionally unlikable nature, undergoes a transformation that evokes deep sympathy upon his demise. His endearing association with Polly and unwavering love for his son exemplify his likable qualities. Their shared experiences of grief only intensify the desire for them to discover solace together. Regrettably, Aberama becomes consumed by the urge to exact revenge on the perpetrator who ruthlessly took his son's life, ultimately leading to his own fatal encounter with the IRA.

1. Danny Whizz-Bang

In Peaky Blinders season 1, the devastating death of Danny Whizz-Bang (Samuel Edward-Cook) tugs at our heartstrings as he sacrifices himself by taking a series of bullets meant for Tommy. Earlier in the season, Danny is subjected to a mock execution, leaving the audience unaware of its falsity until later on. The astonishing revelation of his survival brings a fleeting sense of hope to the viewers, only to be cruelly shattered by his actual demise at the season's end.

Peaky Blinders is a historical crime drama that was created and written by Steven Knight. It features a star-studded cast including Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill, and Helen McCrory. The show revolves around the infamous gang known as the Peaky Blinders, who joined forces after the conclusion of World War I.

September 12, 2013 marked the release date of this captivating film, featuring a talented cast including Annabelle Wallis, Ian Peck, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Cillian Murphy, Ned Dennehy, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Sam Neill, Sophie Rundle, Tony Pitts, and Joe Cole. With a TV-MA rating, this movie is sure to enthrall audiences.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the tragic farewells in Peaky Blinders. On the one hand, I appreciate the show's willingness to take risks and kill off major characters. This creates a sense of unpredictability and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. On the other hand, some of the deaths feel gratuitous and unnecessary. I also think the show could do a better job of developing some of the secondary characters so that their deaths have more impact.

Overall, I think the tragic farewells in Peaky Blinders are a necessary part of the show's storytelling. They add weight to the story and make the audience feel invested in the characters. However, I hope the showrunners will be more careful in the future about which characters they kill off and how they do it.