TV series resumes filming after death of actress
FILMING has resumed on series six of Peaky Blinders with a moving tribute following the death of leading actress Helen McCrory.
It was the first time that the team had been on set since it was announced on Friday that the 52-year-old had lost her battle with cancer. Director Anthony Byrne shared the tribute on the official Peaky Blinders Instagram page.
He revealed one of the show’s clapper boards had been decorated with a black and white drawing of the actress in character as the series matriarch Polly Gray.
It also had the words Rest in Peace, and the caption with the picture also said: “Forever part of the Peaky Blinders family.”
Anthony also wrote: “Today was beautiful and strange and sad and surreal. We found ourselves in the most beautiful environment. The sun beating down on us and it felt OK. It was incredible but not surprising to read the many tributes and articles dedicated to Helen over the weekend. This is our A camera board and Polly Gray is always in front of our cameras.
“This board was designed by @lo_marie_s a super talented tattoo artist in Manchester. It has meant a huge amount to me and the crew on Peaky to have an image of Helen on set with us everyday. Thanks to @francesca.caterina for marking up the clapper board like that.”
Filming for Peaky Blinders’ sixth and final series has been underway for several weeks and it has not been confirmed if the actress was able to film any scenes before her death.
Helen’s husband, actor Damian Lewis, announced her death on Twitter last Friday saying that she died peacefully at home.
In a moving statement, he wrote: “I’m heartbroken to announce that after an heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family. She died as she lived. Fearlessly.
“God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.”
McCrory was born in Paddington, London, to a Welsh mother – originally from Whitchurch, Cardiff – and a
Scottish-born father, and was the eldest of three children.
After the announcement Peaky Blinders’ star Cillian Murphy said: “I am brokenhearted to lose such a dear friend. Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being.
“She was also a gifted actor – fearless and magnificent.”