At least Tommy handed her the reins … Ada Shelby (Sophie Rundle). Photograph: Robert Viglasky/BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd. As the youth gang culture began to take over the streets of Birmingham, entire areas fell under the control of the groups with “land grabs” a common source of rivalry between gangs. Mooney was a major instigator of these activities and soon the Peaky Blinders became a singular entity, operating in favourable areas and communities in Birmingham. Subsequently the members’ families moved away from central Birmingham and its streets, choosing instead to live in the countryside, favourably distant from the main source of violence. In time, the Peaky Blinders were usurped by another gang with strong affiliations affirming their political and cultural control in the Midlands. The Birmingham Boys led by Billy Kimber would take their place and dominate the criminal scene until they too were defeated by another rivalry, the Sabini gang who took control in the 1930’s. If Murphy is to be believed, he has barely even started. “Early on, I read that it takes 30 years to make a good actor,” he says. He has been at it for a quarter of a century now. “So hopefully I’m approaching … well, something.” This summer, he will be the main attraction at the Manchester international festival, where All of This Unreal Time, a new film in which he stars (and which teams him with the musician Jon Hopkins and Grief author Max Porter), will be screened as part of an immersive installation. He will also turn 45 a few days after we speak, so I wish him a happy birthday as we wrap up. “Oh, God,” he groans, as though he has just been reminded of a large outstanding bill. “Yeah. Thanks.” Here’s to a few more sitting-down roles. “I’ll take that all right.” Good riddance … Diana Mitford (Amber Anderson). Photograph: Robert Viglasky/BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd.

Peaky Blinders - Historic UK Peaky Blinders - Historic UK

One of you will die. Which I cannot tell.” This barrelling episode began with vengeful Michael Gray (Finn Cole) finally getting out of jail, where he’d been simmering all series after being set up by Tommy (Cillian Murphy). His intentions to kill his cousin had been stated all series. Now moustachioed Mikey (don’t call him that) put his plan into action. With Helen McCrory in Peaky Blinders. Photograph: Matt Squire/BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd 2019 In the late 1800’s these gangs were made up of a variety of ages, varying from as young as twelve, up to the age of thirty. It was not long before the groups gained organisation through informal hierarchies. Some of the members would go on to become very powerful, for example Thomas Gilbert who became known as Kevin Mooney, who was considered to be one, if not the most, prominent member of the Peaky Blinders. Peaky Blinders’ as they were known, has become an infamous name although the exact origins of it remain a mystery. Some believe it to have originated from the barbaric practice of stitching razor blades into the peak of their caps, although this might be a more fantastical theory as others suggest the luxury item of a disposable razor blade would not have been commonplace at the time. Another theory is that Peaky Blinders derives from the use of the cap to disguise their faces from the victims so they could not be identified.

This distinctive style was effective in many respects. Firstly, it garnered a great deal of attention and set them apart from other gangsters. Secondly, the clothes demonstrated power, wealth and luxury, unaffordable for others around them. This extended to family members of the gang including wives and girlfriends who were able to afford expensive garments compared to their counterparts. Finally, the lavish clothing was a demonstration of defiance against the police, who could easily identify them but remained relatively powerless at the same time. Fan favourite Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy) arrived for one last spot of scenery-chewing, announcing himself with “I smell the smell of roasting Irishmen”. It turned out to be the mumbling Jewish mobster who was the only hotel guest on Miquelon Island. In return for Tommy selling his opium to the Solomons gang and giving them Boston supremacy, Alfie signed over Camden Town to Tommy. The Cheapside and Small Heath region was a main target and involved competition from fellow gangsters known as “Cheapside Sloggers” who were keen to get their hands on the area. This particular group had already gained notoriety for their street fighting activities in some of the poorest districts. As main rivals, “post code battles” became common, a way to discern power and control in certain locations whilst asserting territorial boundaries dictated and understood by the criminal underbelly of the city. You are cursed, Tommy,” wept his wife Lizzie (Natasha O’Keeffe). With their daughter Ruby dead, there’s an argument to say that Tommy didn’t need her any more. Young Charles, remember, is the son of Tommy’s late first wife Grace. He’d grown increasingly distant, not even telling her about his terminal tumour. The final straw was sleeping with the enemy, Diana Mitford (Amber Anderson). A proper Peaky now … Conrad Khan as Duke. Photograph: Robert Viglasky/BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd.

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As we all patiently wait for Season 6 (and the outcome of THAT cliffhanger), why don’t you find out even more about the ‘real’ Peaky Blinders? We have found the perfect audiobook for you!Why was he so tenacious in pursuing that role? “The thought of working with Neil was huge,” Murphy says. “And the transformative aspect was very appealing. I was young. You have a lot of stuff to prove to yourself.” His high, strained voice and fluid physicality eliminated any trace of the conventionally masculine. “Cillian’s a special animal,” says Jordan. “To go from playing Kitten to Tommy Shelby – who is such a savage, muscular character – shows an extraordinary range.” Violence and bribery allowed Peaky Blinders enormous levels of control in the area. Economically, politically and socially, the Peaky Blinders called the shots and dictated the decisions. Culturally, they were dominating the scene. Peaky Blinders, now a hit television programme, may be a fictional story of the Birmingham underworld but it is based on the very real existence of a gang by the same name based in the Midlands in the late nineteenth century. Peaky Blinders emerged from the area of Small Heath in Birmingham, with the first reported activities detailed in a newspaper in March 1890 which described the brutal assault on a man by a gang known as “Peaky Blinders”. The group were already gaining infamy for their violence and brutality in the criminal world and were keen to have their activities recorded in the national newspapers. Before that, he held roles as Editor, Deputy Editor, and Associate Editor focusing on news, social, and video.Laurence hosted the BBC Sounds podcast Obsessed with Peaky Blinders in 2019, as well as his own podcast production, Time of My Life, where he interviews fascinating elders about their life lessons, including Only Fools and Horses' Sir David Jason, Star Trek’s George Takei and Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh.