Aimee-Ffion Edwards returns to her role as Esme Shelby
THE DEVOTED fans of TV series Peaky Blinders’ have been waiting for two and a half years for the sixth and final season, which airs this Sunday on BBC One.
But it has been an even longer wait for a family reunion with Birmingham’s notorious Shelby brothers for Newport actress Aimee-Ffion Edwards.
Promotional images have confirmed that Edwards will return as Esme Shelby.
Edwards last appeared in the show at the end of season four, following the death of her husband John Shelby (played by Joe Cole).
John was killed by the Italian mafia as an act of revenge against the Peaky Blinders, with Esme removing John’s rings and leaving shortly after with her children.
Viewers didn’t see Esme in series five after she vowed to go back to her former life on the road.
Edwards will be joined by Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy, with Stephen Graham also appearing.
The final season will be without Helen McCrory who played Polly Gray.
London-born to a Welsh Mother, McCrory died in April last year, aged 52, following a battle with cancer.
Peaky Blinders certainly has its fans in south Wales.
Among the local links to the show is a giant mural on the side of Café 37, on Salisbury’s Road, Cathays.
Zach Barty, an amateur artist from Rhiwbina, said of his 2018 work: “It was a commissioned piece by the owner of the cafe, Niall.
“He wanted something striking done on that part of the cafe that would attract attention and make people stop to have a look.
“I seem to remember one of the earlier series was on the previous year and the show had really become huge at that point, we flicked a few ideas around and eventually came up with the Peaky blinders idea, found the right photo to fit the space and off we went.”
Mr Barty is a big fan of the show and told the Cardiffian that his favourite character is Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy.
“I think he’s the type of man most of us would like to be (except the crime!), the way he goes about his business and even how sharp he dresses.”
The live Peaky Blinders show is also coming to the Wales Millennium Centre from March 21 to March 25, 2023.
The show named Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders: The redemption of Thomas Shelby, will delve into the story of Tommy Shelby and the Peaky Blinders, and is written by the creator of the global hit television series.
Creator and writer Steven Knight said: “Peaky is back and with a bang. After the enforced production delay due to the Covid pandemic, we find the family in extreme jeopardy and the stakes have never been higher.
“We believe this will be the best series of all and are sure that our amazing fans will love it. While the TV series will be coming to an end, the story will continue in another form.”
