'Peaky Blinders' season 5 may see Lizzie Shelby finally get the credit she deserves for her loyalty to Thomas Shelby
'Peaky Blinders' follows the criminal exploits of the Shelby family in the aftermath of the First World War. With Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) getting elected as the MP, there is much to look forward to from the other members in the family as they take over the family business. Created by Steven Knight, the series has been making waves for bringing tough female characters to the fore in a male-dominated gangster world. Natasha O'Keeffe, who essays the role of Lizzie Shelby, is one of the headstrong women who has been there for Tommy through rough times.
At first, Lizzie is introduced as a prostitute in the city of Small Heath, Birmingham. She served Thomas regularly after he returned from the war in France along with several other men. In season one, John Shelby (Joe Cole) suddenly announces his decision to marry Lizzie.
To quash his doubts on whether she would be faithful to John, Tommy confronts her and offers her eight pounds to sleep with him. She accepts it and Tommy manages to prove his point to John. Taken aback, she tells him, "Your brother is 10 times the man you are," and Thomas replies back, "Of that, I have no doubt."
John, later marries Esme Lee, as part of the deal between the Peaky Blinders and the Lees, a gypsy family.
Later, in season two, she is seen in Tommy's room. "I wish just once you wouldn't pay me. As if we were ordinary people," she tells him. When Tommy catches her admiring the typewriter, he offers her a permanent job as a secretary, telling her to stop her prostitution work.
Lizzie remains loyal to Tommy, and even helps him when he asks her to seduce Field Marshal Henry Russell at the risk of getting raped. While Tommy is late in helping her, he does manage to save her but not without cuts and bruises in the tussle with Russell. In all the angst, she aims a gun at him and storms off.
She is protective of Tommy and worries about his welfare. In season four, there is a tense exchange of wit and romance between the two after John's death.
Soon after, she tells him she is pregnant with his child. It is obvious that she cares about the baby when Thomas offers her a drink and she refuses it as "it harms the baby". Soon, she gives birth to a daughter, who is named by Aunt Polly (Helen McCrory). "It's a girl. Call her Ruby. Ruby Shelby. She'll be a star in a Hollywood movie."
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. "If Lizzie becomes Tommy's wife I will be super happy!! She deserves to be his wife more than any other woman! This girl selflessly loved him no matter what. Her sacrifices were incredible. Lizzie represents all of us, the Tommy fangirls. If we can't get him, let her," one user wrote on Reddit.
Meanwhile, some of them find their romance a little "strange" and are trying to decipher whether Tommy actually loves her or is it just because of the baby. "Tommy is sporting a wedding ring, multiple Instagram photos using that name. Let’s hope he isn't settled down though or the show will be quite boring," another user commented.
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. The fifth chapter in the series unfolds on BBC One on August 25, and it will unravel many secrets.
