'Peaky Blinders': All Shelby's enemies get ranked on our Good-O-Meter; find out who's the most evil of them all!
It is almost impossible to mark out a villain and a hero in a story like creator-Steven Knight's 'Peaky Blinders'. With the very protagonist being an anti-hero, every character is thrust upon a grey zone where their actions are determined by their motives, and their motives are always grounded in the family. Starring Cillian Murphy (as Thomas Shelby), Paul Anderson (as Arthur Shelby), Joe Cole (as John Shelby), Helen McCrory (as Aunt Polly), and Natasha O'Keefe (as Lizzie Stark), 'Peaky Blinders' follows the infamous Birmingham gang who are notorious for slitting the eyes of their enemies with the blades attached to their blinder caps.
Thomas Shelby (a.k.a Tommy) is notorious for his aggressive methods of dealing with people who might pose a threat to his family and we know he can even go up to the extent of murdering. However, with family being his first priority most of Tommy's crimes are pardoned because he follows the rule of the animal kingdom- never harm your kind. That being said, there are certain characters who are not only worse than the Shelbys but are also immediate enemies to the family. While some hold grudges that are almost decades old, others would love to take over their business.
Considering the motives and the methods employed by these so-called-villains, here are the top five enemies of the Peaky Blinders ranked from worst to best:
Father Hughes (played by Paddy Considine)
This man deserves much less but we stick with him at 6 due to his sheer talent to outwit a man as insightful as Tommy. A child molester and a conservative right-wing public, Father Hughes went up to every extent to break Tommy's spirit including smashing his head against a pipe. He is probably the only character in the league of anti-heroes who has absolutely nothing good about him, hence being the only shaded villain in the series. Not only was he disloyal to his religion but also to the nation when he began to pass on information to the Red-Handed Russians who were planning an attack on the British soil.
Tatiana Petrovna (played by Gaite Jansen)
This Grand Duchess, who was forced to flee from Russia due to the revolution, was one of the weakest enemies Tommy had to face but we put her at 7 considering her guts to actually try and seduce the leader of the Peaky Blinders. However, she had undermined his shrewdness and had probably never fathomed that the man who she had paid to carry out a murder would turn against her, in spite of the charm that she had cast upon him.
Darby Shabini (played by Noah Taylor)
This man was the most problematic villain in the second series of the show, and we keep him at 7.5 considering the number of conspiracies he sparked when he tried to break the partnership between Alfie and Tommy. Not only has he tried to end the distorted partnership, but Sabini was also brutal in making plans to kill Tommy. In the very first episode of the second season, he slits Tommy's cheek and later on manages to get him captured by the members of the Red Right Hand. However, as the season approached the Shelbys managed to put an end to this tyrant who was feeding on their fellow bookmakers.
Luca Changretta (played by Adam Brody)
He gets a 9.5 for his ability to keep Tommy on his toes throughout the fourth season. Driven by angst upon the murder of his father, Vicente Changretta, Lucas arrives in Birmingham for the sole purpose of "pleasure"which can only be quenched with the blood of the Shelbys. He removed John from the family but was soon outdone by the Peaky Blinders who took just the perfect revenge by tying Luca in his own trap. His presence had shaken Tommy's world for a while and it almost seemed that the former war-hero would succumb to his vile enemy but things took a different turn and Tommy soon gained the upper hand in the battle.
Alfie Solomons (played by Tom Hardy)
As probably the only other character who maintains virtue even in violence, we give Alfie a 10 for being the villain that you cannot help but love. His consistent play of wit and use of confusing yet intimidating language made him Tommy's most suitable friend and worst enemy. Although in between he did move away from his promise when he signed the deal with Sabini, he did not hesitate in apologizing for his betrayal, specifically to Arthur. However, it was his death which brought out his true identity as a man of business. Suffering from skin cancer, he knew he would not remain a loyal partner to Tommy and preferred dying at his hands than of a mere disease.
'Peaky Blinders' is set to receive its brand new Glasgow-based villain when the show releases towards the end of spring, next year. Along with the original cast, this time Sam Claflin, Anya Taylor-Joy, Brian Gleeson, Neil Maskell, Kate Dickie, Cosmo Jarvis and Emmett J Scanlan will join the show.
