Cillian Murphy on Peaky Blinders filming: Felt very strange without her

As the years go by, fans of the acclaimed "Peaky Blinders" remain captivated by Birmingham's raw history and the compelling storyline centered around the Shelby family. Particularly, the transformation and tumultuous life of Thomas Shelby, depicted by the talented Cillian Murphy, has left an indelible mark on audiences. But as the show approached its final season, behind the scenes, the cast faced a heart-wrenching reality.

The shadow of a star's absence
"Peaky Blinders" had intended to start shooting its last episodes in 2020. But as the pandemic threw a wrench into these plans, the show faced another heartbreak – Helen McCrory's battle with breast cancer. By the time the production resumed, the cast felt her devastating absence. Cillian Murphy shared with Esquire, "We were just reeling throughout the whole thing." Expressing his sentiments on McCrory's absence, he continued, "She was a dear, dear pal and she was the beating heart of that show, so it felt very strange being on set without her."

Reflecting on this tragedy, Murphy shed light on how surreal it was to grapple with her loss, saying, "I still can't believe she's not here. It doesn't make sense."

Murphy's "dark as f*" finale**
As the final season approached, the narrative's tone was expectedly somber. Without giving too much away, Murphy hinted at the grippingly bleak atmosphere of the impending season, calling it "dark as f*."** This revelation, combined with the shadow of McCrory's absence, hinted at a season that promised to be as heart-rending off-screen as on.

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The screenwriter, Steven Knight, determined to bring authenticity to Thomas Shelby's character, opted not to force a redemption arc. This choice aligned perfectly with the show's consistent portrayal of complex and deeply human characters, ensuring its legacy would remain unforgettable.

Looking back, the journey of "Peaky Blinders" and Cillian Murphy's dedication to the craft, coupled with the profound loss of Helen McCrory, reinforces the depth and passion behind this beloved show. As the world awaited the release of season 6 in February 2022, it was clear that the legacy of the show – and its brilliant cast – would live on in the hearts of fans for generations to come.

Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.

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