Entertainment
Cillian Murphy confirms last season of Peaky Blinders will be tribute to Helen McCrory
He wants to honour her life and career (Picture: Netflix)
Cillian Murphy has confirmed that the final series of Peaky Blinders will be a tribute to Helen McCrory.
Murphy has starred in the BBC series since it first aired in 2013, working alongside McCroy.
He now hopes the upcoming sixth season will ‘live up to her memory and our memory of her.’
McCrory ‘s death was announced last April by her actor husband Damian Lewis.
She died at age 52 following a ‘heroic battle’ with cancer, sending shockwaves and devastation through the Peaky Blinders fanbase.
Speaking to Variety about the hit show’s last outing, Murphy said: ‘I think this is the culmination of the series that hopefully improves upon the last season and makes the most recent one the richest and deepest one that we possibly can, partially because of all of the pandemic s*** happening in the world and, of course, the really sad loss of [Helen] McCrory.
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‘I think we are determined to make this a special series and we have been extra committed to working hard. I think the fans will be pleased.’
Murphy plays Tommy Shelby in the period drama, which is set in Birmingham, and he adds that ‘the whole series is really in tribute to her and to honour her.’
Filming for the final episodes began in January 2021 following delays due to the pandemic, but McCrory was absent due to her cancer diagnosis.
However, Murphy assures that ‘her presence and her character’s presence are very much still felt in the series, and it is very much part of Tommy’s journey in the season.’
Murphy and McCroy worked alongside each other from when the show began (Picture: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock)
Reflecting on how the series will be without her, he said it ‘simply won’t be the same.’
The Dunkirk actor described her as as ‘phenomenal’ actress and her death as ‘an enormous loss to the whole acting community and not just for our show.’
‘My thoughts are always with Damian and her kids. I just hope that the show will live up to her memory and our memory of her.’
McCroy was well-loved in her role as Shelby family matriarch Polly Gray.
More: BBC
Beyond Peaky Blinders, she was famous for her work on the Harry Potter movies and James Bond movie Skyfall.
The red carpet premiere for the final season of Peaky Blinders will be held on February 24, which fans are currently hoping to secure tickets for.
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