It’s official, mates, BBC’s period crime drama Peaky Blinders is getting a movie adaptation. Netflix just announced that an official film with Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Thomas Shelby is now in the works, and we can’t hide our excitement. After season six ended with Tommy riding off on a white horse after all his belongings were up in flames, fans expected that that our war-hardened man-with-a-plan was off to a new life away from crime and politics, but turns out he still has unfinished business.
As of now, no release of death has been confirmed, but we do know that the shooting is supposed to begin in September 2024. Stephen Knight is returning as the scriptwriter, and Heart of Stone director Tom Harper is back to direct the film.
While we wait for more details about the movie, now would be a good time to revisit our favourite scenes and episodes from the show – or binge-watch all six seasons if you will. That said, I compiled a list of some of my favourite scenes with our quick-witted gun-slinging characters. Read on.
Before The Wedding
For obvious reasons, this scene makes its place right at the top of the list. Thomas Shelby is getting married to Grace Burgess, and our hypermasculine, calm and collected Brummy crime lord is stressed to his wit’s end. Once all the Shelby men are in the kitchen, Tommy picks out every one of them and asks them to be on their best behaviour: no drugs, no fortune-telling, no racing, no siphoning of petrol from others’ cars and most importantly: No. Fighting. This scene never fails to make me laugh, and Arthur throwing the carrot on the waiter after Tommy shoves him off is just the cherry on the cake.
John’s Death
John’s death is the Peaky Blinder’s equivalent of this scene from the Godfather series (for me, at least. Grace’s death reminds me of this one). After being pardoned for blowing off the train at the end of season three, John Shelby has given up a life of crime for a quieter, more peaceful life in the countryside with his wife Esme and their kids. Fate, however, has other plans, and they are ambushed by mobsters from the Changretta family before Thomas can warn them. John’s death marks a significant shift in the show. The Shelbys – especially Arthur – do not take it well, but more importantly, it marks the beginning of a point where the Shelbys are no longer two steps ahead of their enemies.
Tommy Meeting Luca Changretta
Up until this moment in season four, the Peaky Blinders hadn’t really faced an adversary as smart as them. That changes when Italian-American mobster Luca Changretta, played by Adrien Brody, shows up at Tommy’s door. His father and brother have been killed by the Peaky Blinders, and Changretta wants vengeance. This scene features some amazing lines from both sides (although I will side with Luca on this one), and the silent tension as the American outwits Thomas and declares war will always give me chills.
I’m A Man Who Drinks Tea
Tommy and Grace’s scenes together are always a heartwarming break from the bloodshed and warmongering this show has to offer, but this scene is my personal favourite. Thomas has always been haunted by his experiences as a soldier in France during the First World War, and scenes like this one with Grace were one of the few moments that made us hopeful that Tommy would finally be able to get over his horrors. Of course, it wouldn’t last long, but the short period she was with Thomas was one of the best things that ever happened to him.
Grace’s Death
After all the optimism that Grace brought into Tommy’s life, her death – that too by a bullet meant to kill Tommy – makes this the most heartbreaking death in the series. Add to that the brilliant execution of the scene – especially the final shot of the haunting music with the camera pulling out, as Polly rushes out of an empty hall to get an ambulance, and Tommy and Grace are left in an indiscernible mess at the corner of the shot.
Tommy’s Execution
Another moment where Thomas had no plan up his sleeves, which makes his survival by the unlikeliest of circumstances so much more impactful (the plot armour this man – and Alfie Solomons – has is insane, but still, we love a good twist after a high stakes scene). Tommy has been kidnapped by Campbell’s men, has no idea what is up ahead, and finds out that he is to be executed. In one of the most unexpected twists of the show, one of his three executors shoots the other two in the head, leaving Tommy lying on what would have been his grave, confused and alive. I remember screaming in shock when the assassin reveals himself to be Winston Churchill’s man, and Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of the flurry of emotions that Tommy goes through is *chef’s kiss*.
Crossing the Line
I love it when trigger-happy protagonists face the consequences of their actions. Using Alfie Solomons to make Tommy face the evils of their world resulted in one of, if not the best scenes in all six seasons. Tommy’s son Charlie is held hostage by Father Hughes, and he has just found out that Alfie’s betrayal has ultimately led to the kidnapping. Now, Alfie honestly doesn’t care if he gets killed for his actions – everyone seems to betray everyone else in this show, it’s mafia business – but Tommy’s hypocrisy gets his blood boiling. The Peaky Blinders have destroyed countless families, and butchered innumerable fathers and sons without a care in the world. Why should things be any different now that Tommy’s son’s life is on the line?
