Warning: this article contains spoilers for Peaky Blinders season 6.
The main focus of Peaky Blinders season 6 is telling Tommy Shelby’s story, but in order to tell this story, it sacrifices the rest of the Shelby family. Throughout Peaky Blinders, the Shelby family has steadily grown smaller – from the swift exit of Tommy’s father in season 1 to John Shelby’s death at the hands of the Changretta family in season 4. The tragic passing of actress Helen McCrory in 2020 also meant that Polly Gray, one of the preeminent forces in the Shelby organization, had to be written out of the show. With the core nucleus of the Shelby family smaller than ever, it seemed that Arthur, Finn, and other Shelbys were going to play huge roles in Peaky Blinders season 6, but that wasn’t the case.
While Peaky Blinders has usually kept most members of the Shelby family in the foreground, it has always primarily been Tommy’s story. The early years of Peaky Blinders trace Tommy’s rise within the family, all up to his rise in power in Parliament, but it’s in the halls of power where Tommy seemingly meets his match in real-life figure Oswald Mosley. Their conflict sees Tommy’s upward trajectory halted in Peaky Blinders seasons 5 and 6, with the final season choosing to mainly focus on Tommy’s attempts to be a better man. Tommy’s internal conflict directly relates to his wife Lizzie, and cousin Michael Gray. Although they both had considerable screen time and character arcs in season 6, neither of them are real Shelbys, as by the end of Peaky Blinders season 6, both mark their divide from the family.
Since Peaky Blinders season 6 is a continuation of season 5, whereas most previous seasons have been more self-contained narratives, there were more plot threads to be juggled. The balancing of Tommy’s political career, the IRA’s interventions, the Boston gangs, and the feud with Michael means that there is less time than ever to focus on supporting characters in Peaky Blinders season 6. This is only exacerbated by the introduction of new characters, such as Tommy’s son, Duke, and Jack Nelson, who steal more screentime from the Shelbys. These new characters were all directly tied to Tommy, proving that the axis of the show spins around him in season 6, and as a result, Peaky Blinders didn’t do justice to the other Shelbys that have been long-term fixtures of the show.
Ada Thorne
Although she is no longer a Shelby in name, Ada remains a Peaky Blinder through blood, and despite her best efforts, she is unable to keep out of the family business. With the tragic death of Helen McCrory, and her character Polly Gray, Ada somewhat fills the void vacated by Polly as the woman with brains attempting to rein in the brainless brawn of Arthur and co. As such, if any Shelby actually assumes a greater role in the family business in Peaky Blinders season 6, it is Ada. When Tommy is away from the business to focus on Ruby’s ill-health, Ada is placed in charge of the business. She even attends a meeting with Jack Nelson, Oswald Mosley, and Mosley’s mistress Diana Mitford on Tommy’s behalf, and certainly holds her own with her sharp tongue and quick mind. Despite her greater involvement, Ada is still not able to truly shine as Tommy’s brazen return to his old ways in the final episodes blocks out the sun. Nonetheless, as Tommy encourages her to pursue a career in politics during his final supper, audiences may see Ada truly fill her potential in the Peaky Blinders movie.
Arthur Shelby
As the oldest Shelby brother, Arthur has always been Tommy’s right-hand man, even if that’s a red right hand to enact violence. Yet due to Arthur’s struggles with opium addiction in Peaky Blinders season 6, he is no longer the force he once was. With the help of Linda and her return in season 6, Arthur manages to regain control of his life. He even seems to creep close back to his full self, as he eliminates Laura McKee and her IRA comrades. Unfortunately, however, his fate seems inextricably tied to Tommy’s, and it appears that Arthur cannot find any purpose beyond helping his brother. Unable to attend Tommy’s final family gathering as he is aware of Tommy’s supposed illness, he leaves a note telling Tommy “Where you are going, there I will soon be.” Throughout many seasons of Peaky Blinders, Arthur’s character arc seems to be his journey to be able to stand on his own two feet without Tommy; however, even in Peaky Blinders‘ finale, he remains unable to do that.
Finn Shelby
Peaky Blinders season 6 arguably failed no member of the Shelby family more than Finn. For the first five episodes of the final season, Finn barely featured at all and was reduced to being a background extra and no more than several lines. Rebellious and itching to be a soldier like his brothers, Finn is never allowed to develop into the man he wants to be. It’s strange that Peaky Blinders did not allow this character development, especially since the death of John has left a space vacated for Finn to fill since season 4. Audiences rightly questioned Finn’s absence throughout the Peaky Blinders season – with one of the most glaring examples being when Ada chose Isiah to fulfill a mission in Liverpool ahead of Finn. Evidently, all the head members of the Shelby organization questioned Finn’s loyalties throughout Peaky Blinders season 6. And rightly so, as in a do-or-die moment, Finn chooses to spare the life of his treacherous friend Billy over the lives of his own kin. This choice results in Finn’s banishment from the family and sets up an interesting rivalry between him and Duke. No doubt this dynamic will be a main focus in the Peaky Blinders movie, and while he may have been forgotten in Peaky Blinders season 6, Finn could ultimately decide the fate of the Shelby family.
Tommy Shelby
Up until the last moments of Peaky Blinders season 6, the show appears to be telling the final chapter in Tommy Shelby’s chronicle. His attempts to be a better man, and his eventual failure to do so, are a bittersweet way to conclude the character arc of an iconic antihero – only, that’s not the end. Peaky Blinders‘ twist ending that Tommy’s diagnosis of terminal tuberculoma is actually a ruse by Oswald Mosley means that Tommy will likely seek revenge in the Peaky Blinders movie. Many audiences will no doubt be ecstatic to see more of Tommy Shelby, but the worry remains that if Tommy is the focus of the final Peaky Blinders outing, then the other Shelbys could continue to be sidelined.
