The Peaky Blinders cast brought to life a sprawling saga of crime, family, and ambition across six seasons and, soon, a feature film. From Cillian Murphy’s magnetic Thomas Shelby to Helen McCrory’s formidable Polly Gray, the ensemble of actors defined one of the most celebrated British dramas of the 2010s.
The series, which ran from 2013 to 2022, introduced a core set of characters who remained at the heart of the story, while new faces arrived and departed as the narrative moved through the aftermath of World War I and into the 1930s. With the announcement of the film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, scheduled for 2026, interest in the cast has only intensified.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the main cast, season-by-season breakdowns, details on key characters, and the latest information on the upcoming movie’s casting. For a quick reference, see the Peaky Blinders cast guide on Wikipedia.
Who Is in the Main Peaky Blinders Cast?
| Main Cast Overview | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cillian Murphy Thomas Shelby Seasons 1–6 + film |
Paul Anderson Arthur Shelby Jr. Seasons 1–6 |
Helen McCrory Polly Gray Seasons 1–5 |
Sophie Rundle Ada Shelby Seasons 1–6 |
- The core Shelby family cast remains remarkably consistent from season 1 to 6.
- Helen McCrory’s character Polly Gray was written out after season 5 due to the actress’s passing in 2021.
- The upcoming film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man will bring back Cillian Murphy; new cast additions are expected.
- Oswald Mosley, played by Sam Claflin, becomes a central antagonist in later seasons.
- Tom Hardy’s Alfie Solomons was a fan‑favourite recurring character from season 2 onward.
- Sam Neill’s Chester Campbell served as a major antagonist in the first two seasons.
| Actor | Character | First Appearance | Last Appearance | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cillian Murphy | Thomas Shelby | S1E1 | S6E6 + film | 1–6 |
| Paul Anderson | Arthur Shelby | S1E1 | S6E6 | 1–6 |
| Helen McCrory | Polly Gray | S1E1 | S5E6 | 1–5 |
| Sophie Rundle | Ada Shelby | S1E1 | S6E6 | 1–6 |
| Finn Cole | Michael Gray | S2E1 | S6E6 | 2–6 |
| Natasha O’Keeffe | Lizzie Shelby | S2E1 | S6E6 | 2–6 |
| Sam Claflin | Oswald Mosley | S5E1 | S6E6 | 5–6 |
Peaky Blinders Cast by Season – Season 1, 3, 5 & 6
Season 1 Cast (2013)
The first season established the Shelby clan in Birmingham: Cillian Murphy as Tommy, Paul Anderson as Arthur, Sophie Rundle as Ada, Helen McCrory as Polly, Joe Cole as John, Harry Kirton as young Finn, Ned Dennehy as Charlie Strong, Packy Lee as Johnny Dogs, and Benjamin Zephaniah as Jeremiah Jesus. Early antagonists included Sam Neill as Inspector Chester Campbell, Annabelle Wallis as Grace Burgess, and Iddo Goldberg as Freddie Thorne. (Sources: BBC Peaky Blinders – Cast & Characters, IMDb – Peaky Blinders Full Cast)
Season 3 Cast (2016)
Season 3 deepened the political and aristocratic plotlines. Core family members returned, with additions such as Tom Hardy (Alfie Solomons), Paddy Considine (Father Hughes), and Kate Phillips (Linda Shelby). Grace Burgess, played by Annabelle Wallis, remained a regular character. (Source: TV Guide – Peaky Blinders Cast)
Season 5 Cast (2019)
The political turn brought Sam Claflin as Oswald Mosley and Anya Taylor-Joy as Gina Gray. The extended network of Birmingham and London characters expanded, while the core Shelby family remained central. (Source: Rotten Tomatoes – Season 6 Cast)
Season 6 Cast (2022)
The final season continued the political storyline. New characters included Stephen Graham as Hayden Stagg and Amber Anderson as Diana Mitford. Notably, Polly Gray’s absence was addressed through the character’s off‑screen death, following Helen McCrory’s real‑life passing.
Helen McCrory died in 2021 after a private battle with cancer. The show’s creator Steven Knight chose not to recast Polly Gray; instead, the character’s death was written into season 6, allowing the actress’s performance to stand as her final contribution.
Who Plays Mosley and Helen McCrory? Key Character Cast
Helen McCrory as Polly Gray
Helen McCrory portrayed Polly Gray, the Shelby family matriarch, from season 1 through season 5. Her performance was widely praised as the emotional core of the series. McCrory’s death meant the character was written out between seasons 5 and 6. (Source: Netflix Tudum – Meet the Cast of Peaky Blinders Season 6)
Sam Claflin as Mosley (Oswald Mosley)
British actor Sam Claflin joined the cast in season 5 as the fascist politician Oswald Mosley, a central adversary in the later seasons. Claflin’s portrayal was noted for its chilling restraint. The character continued into season 6, cementing Mosley as a key antagonist.
Other notable antagonists: Tom Hardy as Alfie Solomons, Adrien Brody as Luca Changretta
Tom Hardy’s Alfie Solomons first appeared in season 2 and became one of the most memorable characters, returning in later seasons. Adrien Brody played Luca Changretta, the New York mob boss who threatened the Shelbys in season 4. Both performances added international scope to the cast.
Sam Claflin’s role as Oswald Mosley required the actor to study historical footage of the real‑life politician. The character’s inclusion reflected the show’s turn toward 1930s British politics and the rise of fascism.
Peaky Blinders Movie 2026 – Immortal Man Cast
Confirmed Cast for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
As of early 2025, the only confirmed cast member for the upcoming film is Cillian Murphy, who will reprise his role as Thomas Shelby. The film is scheduled for release in 2026. (Source: Official BBC Peaky Blinders Page)
Cillian Murphy Returns as Thomas Shelby
Murphy’s involvement was announced by creator Steven Knight, who stated the film would be set during the Second World War. Whether other core cast members such as Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, or Tom Hardy will return remains unconfirmed at this stage.
New Cast Additions for the Film
No new casting announcements have been made publicly. Based on the long‑running series, actors like Finn Cole (Michael Gray) and Natasha O’Keeffe (Lizzie Shelby) could potentially appear, but no official confirmation exists.
Expected Release Date and Plot Hints
The film is expected in 2026, with production details still under wraps. Steven Knight has described it as “a different thing” from the series, set in the Second World War and following Tommy Shelby’s story beyond the original finale.
“As of early 2025, full casting for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man has not been announced. Even key series regulars have not been officially confirmed to return, so the final cast may differ from what fans expect.”
Peaky Blinders Cast Timeline – Key Additions and Departures
- – Season 1 premieres with original cast: Murphy, Anderson, McCrory, Rundle, Cole, etc.
- – Season 2 introduces Finn Cole (Michael Gray) and Noah Taylor (Grand Duke of Russia).
- – Season 3 adds Tom Hardy as Alfie Solomons and Paddy Considine as Father Hughes.
- – Season 4 brings Adrien Brody as Luca Changretta.
- – Season 5 introduces Sam Claflin as Mosley and Anya Taylor‑Joy as Gina Gray.
- – Helen McCrory passes away; Polly Gray’s death is written into the show.
- – Season 6 airs, final season; new characters include James French (Jack Irish).
- – Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man movie announced; Cillian Murphy confirmed; further casting expected.
What Is Certain and Uncertain About the Peaky Blinders Cast and Movie?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Cillian Murphy will reprise his role as Tommy Shelby in the movie. | Full cast list for the movie has not been officially announced by BBC/Netflix as of early 2025. |
| The movie is titled Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man and is scheduled for 2026. | Whether Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, or other main cast members return for the movie is still unconfirmed. |
| Helen McCrory’s Polly Gray died at the end of season 5; she will not appear in the movie. | Plot details and character fates for the movie remain speculative. |
How Did the Peaky Blinders Cast Evolve Over the Series?
The Peaky Blinders cast evolved significantly over six seasons, with key additions and departures reflecting the show’s changing narrative. The early seasons focused on the Shelby family’s criminal operations, while later seasons expanded into political intrigue and international conflict.
Helen McCrory’s real‑life death influenced the show’s writing, demonstrating how external events can affect casting and story. The upcoming movie marks a transition from episodic television to a feature film, raising questions about which characters will survive and how the story will conclude.
The choice to focus on the Immortal Man narrative suggests a continuation of Tommy Shelby’s arc, possibly beyond the original series timeline.
What Do the Creators Say About the Peaky Blinders Cast?
“Cillian Murphy is Tommy Shelby. He gave that character a depth and magnetism that defined the show.”
Steven Knight, Creator (BBC interview)
“Helen McCrory was the beating heart of Peaky Blinders. Her Polly Gray was formidable and unforgettable.”
Cillian Murphy (Variety interview, 2021)
“We are making a film. It will be set in the Second World War, and it will be a different thing.”
Steven Knight (Radio Times, 2024)
In Summary
The Peaky Blinders cast created an enduring television legacy through a blend of consistent core performances and compelling new additions. With the film on the horizon, the story of Tommy Shelby and his family is set to continue, though much about the final casting remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is in the main Peaky Blinders cast? The main cast includes Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby, Paul Anderson as Arthur Shelby, Helen McCrory as Polly Gray, and Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby, among others.
- Why was Polly Gray written out of Peaky Blinders? Polly Gray was written out following the death of actress Helen McCrory in 2021. The character’s off-screen death was addressed in season 6.
- Who plays Oswald Mosley in Peaky Blinders? British actor Sam Claflin portrays the fascist politician Oswald Mosley, who becomes a central antagonist in seasons 5 and 6.
- Will Cillian Murphy be in the Peaky Blinders movie? Yes, Cillian Murphy is confirmed to reprise his role as Thomas Shelby in the upcoming film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
- When is the Peaky Blinders movie coming out? The film is scheduled for release in 2026.
- Will other original cast members return for the movie? As of early 2025, no other cast members have been officially confirmed to return for the film.
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