2019

Movies and TV

Thomas Michael Shelby, often known as Tommy, is the central character of the British television series Peaky Blinders. He is portrayed by Irish actor Cillian Murphy.

Tommy is the leader of the Peaky Blinders, a criminal gang based in Birmingham, England, following the First World War. He is a complex individual, haunted by his experiences during the war where he served as a tunneller. This trauma shapes his ruthless ambition and calculated decision-making.

A veteran of the Great War, Shelby exhibits strong leadership qualities, strategic intelligence, and a capacity for extreme violence. He is driven by a desire to elevate his family's status beyond their working-class origins, expanding their criminal empire through legitimate and illegitimate means.

Throughout the series, Tommy grapples with PTSD, substance abuse, and moral conflicts as he navigates the treacherous world of organized crime, politics, and personal relationships. His intelligence and charisma allow him to manipulate people and situations to his advantage, although not without significant cost to himself and those around him.