Polly rebels!
The aunt of crime boss Tommy has a seething hatred for him…
Aunt Polly thought she was going to die as she was led to the gallows in last week’s opener, but nephew Tommy Shelby saved her from the hangman's noose in the nick of time!
But Polly can’t forgive him for the betrayal that saw her facing execution in the first place.
Epiphany
‘Having that rope around her neck was a turning point for Polly,’ says Helen McCrory, who plays her. ‘She no longer fears death because she believes it will reunite her with her daughter. She also hates Tommy more than ever and he knows she could be a very dangerous enemy.’
After beginning a war with the Peaky Blinders last week, Mafia boss Luca Changretta (Adrien Brody) is coming to finish the job, so Tommy orders the Shelbys to reunite in the part of Birmingham where they made their name…
‘They return to Small Heath so they can defend themselves,’ explains Helen. ‘They know it’s an area where people are loyal to them. Tommy also recruits Aberama Gold, a man not to be trifled with.’
Yet while Mr Gold
(Aidan Gillen) has joined with the Shelbys, Tommy might have to go further to ensure Aunt Polly’s loyalty.
‘Polly doesn’t care any more,’ says Helen.
‘She wants to rebel and she shows that by cutting off all her hair. Has she had a breakdown or is she proving she’s Tommy’s equal?’