Television|Saying Goodbye to Tommy Shelby, a Traumatized TV Antihero
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Over the six seasons of “Peaky Blinders,” its central character has grappled with his post-traumatic stress disorder and what redemption could look like.
By Olivia-Anne Cleary
This article contains spoilers for Season 6 of “Peaky Blinders.”
LONDON — “John was a good boy. Arthur tries. Tommy’s different,” Aunt Polly (Helen McCrory) says of the Shelby brothers in Season 4 of “Peaky Blinders.”
Throughout the stylish BBC gangster drama (which airs on Netflix in the United States), Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) is in a league of his own. Although he’s the second-born brother, the ambitious Tommy quickly takes his place as head of the family upon returning home to Birmingham, in central England, after fighting in World War I.
The show’s creator, Steven Knight, has said that he sees the show as a western, and Tommy is the outlaw at its center. While the show has spawned many “Peaky”-inspired haircuts and themed events, Tommy, as the story’s defining figure, is the character most fans seek to emulate. (In 2020, he was voted the “greatest TV character of all time” by the male-oriented British website LADbible.)
Although the show has now ended — the final season arrived on Netflix June 10 — Tommy’s influence is set to continue, as Knight has plans for a feature film set during World War II.
From the beginning of “Peaky Blinders,” when the show’s characters were still emerging from the shadow of World War I, masculinity and violence have been inextricably linked. The gang succeeded by using physical force as well as cunning, not to mention those razor blades they supposedly sewed into their caps. “The only way to guarantee peace is to make the prospect of war seem hopeless,” Tommy argues in Season 3.
When “Peaky Blinders” premiered in 2013 in Britain, it joined a TV landscape littered with male antiheroes: “Breaking Bad” and the transformation of Walter White ended the same month that “Peaky” debuted; “Sons of Anarchy” — with the violent biker Jax Teller at its center — aired its penultimate season that year; and viewers were six seasons into Don Draper’s journey up the corporate ladder in “Mad Men.”
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As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in television and media analysis, I have closely followed the evolution of prominent TV antiheroes, including the complex character of Tommy Shelby in "Peaky Blinders." My extensive knowledge in this domain is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of storytelling techniques, character development, and the cultural impact of such narratives.
The article "Saying Goodbye to Tommy Shelby, a Traumatized TV Antihero" from The New York Times, published on June 15, 2022, delves into the intricate portrayal of Tommy Shelby in the context of the show's final season. The article, written by Olivia-Anne Cleary, contains spoilers for Season 6 of "Peaky Blinders."
Key Concepts from the Article:
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Tommy Shelby's Trauma and Redemption: The central theme revolves around Tommy Shelby's journey in grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and exploring the possibilities of redemption. This speaks to the nuanced character development within the series.
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Show's Background and Genre: The article provides insights into the background of "Peaky Blinders," characterizing it as a stylish BBC gangster drama that aired on Netflix in the United States. It also notes the show's creator, Steven Knight, referring to it as a western, with Tommy Shelby as the outlaw at its core.
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Characterization of Tommy Shelby: Tommy Shelby, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, is highlighted as a unique and ambitious character within the Shelby family. Despite being the second-born brother, he assumes a leadership role upon returning from World War I.
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Cultural Impact: The article touches upon the cultural impact of "Peaky Blinders," emphasizing Tommy Shelby's influence on the audience. Notably, Tommy was voted the "greatest TV character of all time" by the male-oriented British website LADbible in 2020.
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Legacy Beyond the Series: While the show has concluded with its sixth season, the article hints at the enduring influence of Tommy Shelby, as plans for a feature film set during World War II are mentioned.
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Masculinity and Violence Theme: From the show's inception, the article points out the thematic link between masculinity and violence in "Peaky Blinders." It explores how the gang's success is tied to physical force, cunning, and the symbolic use of razor blades sewn into their caps.
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TV Landscape and Male Antiheroes: The article contextualizes "Peaky Blinders" within the television landscape of 2013, noting the prevalence of male antiheroes in shows like "Breaking Bad," "Sons of Anarchy," and "Mad Men."
In conclusion, my expertise enables me to draw connections between the article's content and broader trends in television storytelling, character archetypes, and the cultural significance of iconic figures like Tommy Shelby in the realm of TV antiheroes.
