BRUM AS YOU ARE!

CILLIAN MURPHY AND HELEN MCCRORY ARE BACK AS THE FAMILY FACES ANOTHER NEW THREAT…

The previous series of Peaky Blinders ended with Tommy and his crew seeing off a challenge from the Mafia and Tommy getting elected into parliament – in other words, they were left in a pretty strong position. So as the fifth series begins this weekend, where do we find them? Well, they’re enjoying the spoils of their success – before being brought back down to earth by the Wall Street Crash…

“Michael returns from America in the first episode,” reveals Cillian Murphy, who plays Tommy. “He’s responsible for them losing a lot of money, so I think that sets up quite a big conflict within the family.”

“We find Polly enjoying her riches and enjoying the success of the Peakys,” adds Helen Mccrory, who plays her. “And then within moments we have the stock crash, everything’s lost and she’s back… not on the streets again, but definitely in defence, in punching and fighting mode. Which is where I think Polly is happiest.

I don’t think tea parties or the hat brigade are her thing!”

PARTY ANIMALS

While the stock market crash spells bad news for the Shelby gang, it also provides an opportunity for them to capitalise on the misfortune of others – which is what they do best, after all. But there’s a bigger threat looming on the horizon for Tommy, as his parliamentary duties bring him into the path of real historical figure (and future fascist leader) Oswald Mosley.

“The Mafia last year was a pretty conventional threat, albeit a dangerous one, whereas this is a whole other level,” shares Cillian. “Tommy has to employ a new set of tools to battle with an ideology, as opposed to a physical threat. I think Tommy’s predicting another world conflict – he sees what Oswald’s values are and what that could lead to. But Sam [Claflin, who plays him] knocks it out of the park – it’s a very challenging role to play, given what that man represented, and he does it brilliantly!”

“You realise that Tommy Shelby starts to use politics in the same way that he used money, horses, or bootlegging alcohol,” explains Helen.

“It’s just another currency –

THERE’S A BIG CONFLICT WITHIN THE FAMILY…” CILLIAN

Cool rider: Cillian Murphy returns as charismatic Tommy

Political figure: But how does Tommy plan to use his new powers?

Shady lady: Polly is forced to return to her old criminal ways

Loser: Michael is responsible for a big financial loss