Peaky Blinders has officially ended with its sixth season on Netflix, concluding the saga of the Shelby family in Birmingham. While the series finale wrapped up several key storylines, it also left room for future exploration through a planned feature film by creator Steven Knight. The final season featured the expected mix of loss, trauma, and moments of redemption, staying true to the show’s signature twists and dark drama.
After five seasons of intense drama, Season 6 aimed to provide closure to some story arcs, though not all were fully resolved. Central to the season was the conflict between Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and Michael Gray (Finn Cole), with viewers eager to see which Shelby would emerge victorious. Despite some unresolved threads, the promise of the upcoming feature film ensures fans will see more of the Shelbys’ future.
Tommy Shelby’s Risks, Vendettas, and Rebirth Shape His Fate and Family’s Future
As always, Tommy remained the focal point of the story. His wartime experiences in France during World War I had made him fearless, giving him a willingness to take extreme risks. These traits, combined with his complex scheming, continued to define the character as the show approached its conclusion, shaping both his personal journey and the fate of the Shelby family.
Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby (Peaky Blinders/BBC One)Season 6 revisited Tommy’s desire to eliminate the fascist Oswald Mosley and the fictional Jack Nelson. While Tommy’s plot from Season 5 to assassinate Mosley was ultimately thwarted, historical accuracy influenced the storyline, as Mosley and the Kennedy-inspired Nelson were alive until later decades. The upcoming film may explore this vendetta further, potentially tying it to a World War II timeline for Tommy’s revenge.
Tommy’s encounter with a false terminal diagnosis of tuberculoma drove him to consider ending his life. However, after a vision of his daughter Ruby revealed the truth, Tommy discovered he had been deceived by Dr. Holford, a fascist collaborator. This moment marked a symbolic “rebirth” for Tommy, referencing World War I’s Armistice and allowing him to reclaim control over his life.
Shelby Family Upheaval, Tommy’s Renewal, and Future Conflicts in Upcoming Feature Film
The Shelby family experienced significant upheaval in Season 6. Michael Gray’s death confirmed Polly Gray’s warning about the dangers of family conflict. Tommy’s political role was transferred to his sister Ada, while tensions arose between his children, Charlie and Duke. Meanwhile, Finn Shelby faced banishment, and Arthur Shelby carried out vengeance on behalf of the family. These developments set the stage for future conflicts in the anticipated feature film.
Tommy destroyed his home to make way for affordable housing and embraced a fresh start, symbolized by riding a white horse. This act represented his transformation from darkness to renewal, mirroring his childhood memories and the earlier black horse, Dangerous. By ending the series in this way, the show emphasized Tommy’s personal evolution and readiness to pursue a more righteous path.
With the television series concluded, the Shelby saga is set to continue in the upcoming feature film. Themes of revenge, family dynamics, and global conflict are expected to play key roles. Tommy’s renewed outlook, combined with the looming threat of World War II, promises that the film will expand on the unresolved threads from Season 6, offering fans a continuation of the story they have followed for years.
