Peaky Blinders cast look worlds away from their on-screen characters as they hit the red carpet ahead of series six

THE Peaky Blinders cast gathered on the red carpet last night to celebrate the final season of the hit BBC crime series.

Leading ladies Sophie Rundle, Kate Phillips and Natasha O’Keeffe, glammed up for the premiere of the period drama’s sixth season and looked world’s away from the notorious Shelby family women they play on-screen.

BackGridNatasha O’Keeffe aka Lizzie Stark led the glamour in a black velvet gown[/caption]

BackGridSophie Rundle, 33, stunned in a bold red dress with ruched sleeves[/caption]

GettyKate Phillips, 32, wore a stylish off-the-shoulder ruffled top[/caption]

BackGridPeaky Blinders newcomer Amber Anderson plays a new character in season six who challenges Tommy Shelby[/caption]

AlamySophie, third from left, in character as Ada alongside Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, centre, and Kate Phillips as Linda Shelby, far right[/caption]

BackGridThe cast gather in Birmingham for the premiere of season six ahead of its launch on Sunday[/caption]

Actor Cillian Murphy, who stars as the infamous Tommy Shelby, was not present as hundreds of fans gathered at the Cineworld in Birmingham, after previously saying this upcoming last series will be a tribute to the late Helen McCrory.

The actress, who starred as the family matriarch Polly Gray for the previous five seasons, died of cancer in April 2021.

Peaky Blinders newcomer Amber Anderson, who starred in last year’s film Emma, turned heads in a satin leaf print dress teamed with nude heels, while Irish actress Charlene McKenna, who joined the show as the revered Captain Swing in the fifth season, commanded attention in a mustard dress with pleats and matching platform heels.

Finn Cole, who plays Shelby outcast Michael Gray, and Harry Kirton – Finn Shelby – put on dapper displays in Birmingham, the home of the smash-hit drama.

The BBC show, which follows the lives of the notorious Shelby family, a gang rising to prominence in post-war Birmingham, is returning for its sixth and final series on Sunday.

The drama’s creators had to rewrite vast sections of the final series afterr filming was halted in March 2020 due to Covid, and resumed last January, with Helen McCrory unable to take part.

A spokeswoman said: “Helen did not film with us in series six but Polly is an ever-present part of the show.

“She is forever the matriarch of the Shelby family and her presence is always felt by Tommy and the rest of the family.

“Her influence is an integral part of the season.”

Polly was due to have an even bigger part than normal in the story of the gang led by Tommy.

Helen’s role as Polly Gray, which she had from the first series in 2013, helped to make her a household name and a favourite with Peaky viewers.

She was last seen playing Polly in series five in 2019, and the actress’s final TV role was in the autumn of 2020, portraying Prime Minister Dawn Ellison opposite HUGH LAURIE in the BBC political drama Roadkill.

BackGridNatasha, Sophie, Executive Producer Caryn Mandabach, Kate, Amber Anderson and Charlene McKenna[/caption]

GettyHarry Kirton – Finn Shelby – put on dapper display[/caption]

AlamyPeaky Blinders returns on Sunday night[/caption]

GettyFinn Cole looked worlds away from his character Michael Gray[/caption]

AlamyShelby outcast Michael is Polly Gray’s son[/caption]

AlamyTommy’s lover and wife Lizzie Stark[/caption]

� Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd. 2019Linda Shelby played by Kate Phillips[/caption]