Steven Knight’s crime drama Peaky Blinders started way back in 2013 and since then, it has gripped the audiences worldwide. The show revolves around Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and his family’s business. They are known as the Peaky Blinders, situated in Birmingham and there are appearances from other gangs hailing from all across England.
There are multiple storylines that are both engaging and full of twists. The show features some incredible villains, along with some characters one can’t help but root for. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the 5 most likable characters and 5 fans can’t stand from the series.
Can’t Stand: Linda
Arthur’s wife Linda is despised unanimously by the fans. It’s just because of her irritable traits and manipulation tricks. She wants to drag Arthur out of the Peaky Blinders, not because Arthur wants to but because Linda needs him to.
She is a little selfish and wants to keep Arthur chained. At the end, when Arthur doesn’t listen (of course he doesn’t), she leaves him. Because of her, Arthur becomes more mentally unstable as she made him choose between her and his brother. As always, Thomas won.
Like: Grace
Grace, the love of Tommy’s life, is one of the most complex characters in the series. She comes in as an undercover officer working for Campbell but falls in love with Tommy. She leaves him and Peaky Blinders for some time before returning where she belongs.
She gets married to Tommy and for a while, she lives her best life. But, for the Peaky Blinders, happiness doesn’t last long as she is killed brutally by an Italian assassin.
Can’t Stand: Michael
Polly’s child Michael seems to have every trait needed to take over the reins from Thomas. But he hasn’t realized his potential, just because of his nature to get manipulated by women in his life. First, it is his mother who tells him to go to America and then, it’s Gina.
In season 5, he tries everything in order to become the person calling the shots but he still has a long way to go. First, he needs to learn respect and how to be an adult.
Like: John
One of the Shelby brothers, John provides comic relief to the show. His chemistry with Arthur and Thomas is scintillating, to say the least. He seems to be most happy around his family and he knows what needs to be done in their business.
He hardly ever complains and is more like a soldier than a leader. Safe to say, his character deserved a better ending as he was murdered by Luca Changretta’s men as part of his revenge.
Can’t Stand: Gina
Michael’s wife Gina Gray is always demanding attention from her husband. She basically manipulates him into doing her bidding and right now, viewers aren’t really sure about what she is capable of.
She seems hell-bent on making Thomas retire and that doesn’t necessarily put her in the good books of the fans. Her past is somewhat a mystery and maybe in season 6, we might get to see the real Gina.
Like: Alfie Solomons
Alfie Solomons is an absolute treat to watch. He and Thomas seem to have an understanding, as if, they know all about each other. Alfie loves to betray his partners for money, which means, he values it more than anything in his life.
His return from the dead in season 5 might have made the viewers celebrate. It wouldn’t be wrong to hope that at least once, Steven Knight might have a storyline where Alfie and Tommy will be on the same page. That would be a treat, wouldn’t it?
Can’t Stand: Esme
John’s wife Esme is another one of the wives viewers just don’t like. She married John as a part of Thomas’s business deal. While Tommy wants John to be just a pawn in the game, Esme wants him to be more. This means John is caught between standing up to Tommy or doing what he asks him to.
Esme is a little annoying as well as she, seemingly, wants Tommy to pay more attention to her and her ideas. Regardless, she loves John and when she sees him dead, Esme curses Tommy.
Like: Arthur
Even though he is a hothead, Arthur drives the show like no one else. Viewers can’t help but root for him and his highest point in Peaky Blinders is when he kills Luca Changretta. Arthur, coming from the war, has seen his mental state decline every year, and quite often, he doesn’t seem in control of himself.
But, he has always been alongside Thomas no matter what. For him, family comes first and he can do anything to protect them. When Linda left him, Arthur looked very vulnerable and it remains to be seen whether he will move on.
Can’t Stand: Campbell
By far, the best villain in the show is Major Campbell and he does such a good job that the viewers grow to hate him a little bit more every time he comes on the screen. He is corrupt, doesn’t play by the rules, and on some occasions, he also acts like a psychopath feeling no remorse for his bad actions.
He humiliated Polly Gray, just because she wanted his son Michael to be released from jail, even though Michael had done nothing wrong. The cat and mouse chase between Campbell and Thomas ends in the season 2 finale, when Polly, quite fittingly, kills him with a gunshot.
Like: Thomas
The protagonist of the show – Thomas Shelby is an absolute mastermind. Coming from the war, his mental state is not that of a normal human being, instead, he has elevated on to another level. His mind games are almost impossible to penetrate and viewers just cannot know what he is planning next.
His romance with Grace is one of the best things about the show and it goes without saying that Tommy has had his fair share of bad moments. In season 5, he lost a battle and wanted to execute himself. But, we all know, Tommy will be back stronger than ever for season 6.
