'Peaky Blinders' season 5: A recap of where each character was at the end of season 4
It's time to welcome the 'Peaky Blinders' back into our lives! The hotly-anticipated season five of 'Peaky Blinders' rolls out on August 25 on BBC One, and Cillian Murphy's Thomas Shelby is all set to enter the political world and face his rival Oswald Mosley (played by Sam Claflin). It has been two long years ever since the riveting fourth season ended in 2017 and that calls for a quick recap of the quasi-historical crime-drama.
At the end of season four, the Shelby clan fought New York mafia boss Luca Changretta who arrived in Birmingham to avenge Angel and Vincente Changretta's death. After a grueling battle, both Michael Gray (Finn Cole) and John Shelby (Joe Cole) were shot. Michael survived but John died a violent death. With another huge loss in Tommy's life, he is already going through a lot and will now have to juggle politics with business.
The official trailer was released early this August and every frame in the one-minute clip spells death. As we wait for the upcoming installment, here's a look back at last season to see where each character was at the end.
Thomas Shelby
What happened?
After having an affair with unionist Jessie Eden, he sold the Communist Party member names to the British Government and got elected as a Labour MP for Birmingham South in exchange. He also had a baby daughter with Lizzie, who was working as a double agent for the Crown.
What to expect?
From finding a new way to stay in the business to being attacked by the Irish Republic Army, there's a lot at stake for the gang leader.
Polly Gray
What happened?
The fourth season makes the best attempt so far to unravel who Polly is beneath her guise as the matriarchal leader of the Shelby family. At the end of season four, Polly helps Thomas with his mental illness. She tells him to shake hands with the devil and walk past them.
What to expect?
Season five may finally see Polly Gray emerging as a boss woman, who wishes to fulfill her desires instead of just being the family's caretaker. Confirming the speculations around whether romance is in the air for Polly and Aberama Gold, Helen McCrory told Digital Spy, "I can’t remember if I’m not supposed to tell you or I am supposed to tell you but yes there is."
Arthur Shelby
What happened?
Arthur makes a sensational comeback in the season finale. As their arch-nemesis Luca Changretta (Adrien Brody) prepares to pounce upon Tommy, Arthur jumps the gun and shoots the antagonist.
What to expect?
In season five, as Tommy is all set to take the plunge as an MP, isn't it high time that he takes up more responsibility? With Thomas Shelby busy with politics, Arthur needs to up his game in handling the business and helping it grow.
Linda Shelby
What happened?
Season four saw Linda in a role reversal from a God-fearing mother to a cocaine-snorting chick. First, she barged into Arthur's office in the third episode and tried to seduce him to keep his mind off work.
What to expect?
However, as Tommy gets busy with his political world, will Linda enter Arthur's life again? Perhaps, she will try to win him over, dominate his business deals and also try to keep him away from the dark world of drugs and crime.
Michael Gray
What happened?
Michael, the son of Polly Gray (Helen McCrory), was banished to the States in the last season after he failed to warn Tommy about Polly's plan as it could have indirectly led to the gang leader's death. Even though he left for New York to expand the business, there's a major possibility that he might come back to help the family.
What to expect?
Teasing his new role in season five, the official BBC One synopsis reads: "Now based in Detroit, he has fallen in love with an American woman, Gina (played by Anya Taylor-Joy). But his tendency to see himself as Tommy's heir, with an added veneer of legitimacy, has led him to make a hubristic decision."
Ada Thorne
What happened?
Putting their differences aside, the family even moved back home to Small Heath in Birmingham after the Changretta threat. Ada is under investigation by the military for her links to Communism in season four.
What to expect?
There is a big shadow of doubt looming over the fact whether she will actually support him, considering her late husband Freddie was against enormous privileges of the noble classes and the clergy, and she too followed his footsteps over the years.
Lizzie Stark
What happened?
As season five rolls out, it is expected that Lizzie may finally get her due for her loyalty to Thomas. Fans are wondering whether the two have settled down together and have mixed thoughts on their relationship.
What to expect?
With Tommy's new role in the Parliament, what will her future be and will her backstory be a part of the show? Lizzie could even take some responsibility for the business as she has been a part of the family for a long time now.
Finn Shelby
What happened?
Through the four seasons, Finn can be seen figuring out his real identity but now he might finally take the center stage.
What to expect?
Dropping a major clue, Harry Kirton said: "In this season, you also get a hint that not only Finn realizes that. All of us started on this show and grown through the seasons but I think me, more than anybody has mentally and physically grown up. I definitely got pushed this season and I had more to push me to help with the vulnerability."
The series premieres on BBC One starting from August 25 at 9 pm ET every Sunday. However, international viewers might have to wait for the series a little more as it rolls out on Netflix only on October 4.