10 best Helen McCrory moments from Peaky Blinders 

Helen McCrory's performance as Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders, a fierce matriarch of the Shelby family, was brilliant and ruthless. Polly was intuitive and extremely protective.

Unlike others in the gang, she relied on power from blood, the mind, wisdom, and an unshakable sense of control to overwhelm others.

Polly had made some outstanding moments in Peaky Blinders, from executing vengeance with cold precision to dealing with emotional problems instinctively. Be it the way she manipulated dangerous enemies or even the utter showing of vulnerability, any one scene in which she was cast instantly became iconic.

Here are ten of her most powerful scenarios that cement her legacy as the heart and backbone of the Shelby family.

1) Polly Gray’s Ultimate Revenge on Major Campbell

Shooting Major Campbell during the Season 2 finale stands out as one of Polly Gray's most unforgettable scenes since it was not only about revenge; rather, it was a declaration of power. The execution of Campbell by Polly was equally personal and strategic since he had sexually assaulted her in Season 2, episode 5.

Helen McCrory portrayed the scene with such icy calmness, which made it even scarier. What also seals this movement deeper is the way she walks away as if she is shaking his memory off.

2) Polly’s Heated Clash with Grace

Besides, Miss Polly Gray does not mince words; that bit about Grace Burgess 'coming between the Peaky Blinders' applies to her. Summary: Scene charged with raw tensions that make it clear to another person that Polly loathes Grace for her actions and warns of repercussions. This sprinkling bit of venom-underlining words only goes on to prove how much of a protector of Tommy as well as the Shelby family she is. Just the McCrory delivery during it, and it will be memorable. Polly is definitely the matriarch of Peaky Blinders.

3) Outsmarting the Enemy: Polly’s Masterstroke Against Luca

A ruthless Italian mobster like Luca Changretta could be countered only by an exceptional blend of bravado and gall. Polly had it in ample measure. When she carried out the ruse of betraying Tommy to lure Luca, palpable tension hung in the air.

But true to form, Polly had the last laugh. The scene was an exhibition of psychological warfare at its best. She didn't simply trick Luca; she toyed with him, thereby destroying his arrogance.

4) Polly’s Emotional Ultimatum to Michael

Intruding back into Shelby Company with grand plans for conquest, Polly must make the tough decision between her son and Tommy. In a very emotional scene, she warns Michael that should he betray Tommy, she shall not be standing beside him. Here, you feel the emotional dilemma of a mother between her child and the family. This is a great scene because of Helen McCrory's phenomenal emotional depth, showing her at her best in the series.

5) A Love Like No Other: Polly and Aberama’s Tragic Romance

Polly’s romance with Aberama Gold turned out to be rather unexpected, but no less deep. Aberama respected Polly's power, unlike the men before him, and did not attempt to conquer it. Sparks of electricity flew between them, fully charged with just the kind of teasing, admiration, and understanding that only warriors could share. Helen McCrory painted a charming Polly, reminding that underneath an icy veneer smoldered a woman's desire for love, albeit without dying into it. Aberama's death made their tale all the more tragic because Polly once again was left needing to harden herself against loss, yet never victimized by it.

6) Polly’s Cold-Blooded Interrogation of a Spy

Tommy becomes suspicious of a mole in the ranks, and Polly will not wait for anyone to take matters into their own hands. She coldly interrogates him as an informant-turned-informant, showing her ability to be just as ruthless as the men in The Peaky Blinders. Her calm but terrifying presence in this scene is justification for why she is one of the most feared and respected members of the family. Control intense, McCrory adds multiple layers to Polly's character, making this one of her most chilling moments.

7) Polly’s Chilling Face-Off with Oswald Mosley

Polly smiles to prove a point and braves the infamous intimidation of Oswald Mosley. What follows is a rather tense chat with very silent motives behind it- for Polly now warns him not to belittle the Shelbys in any way. It says much of her strength, as she can hold her own against what has been considered the most dangerous man in the entire series. Through this, the depth of Helen McCrory's presence in such a scene makes it apparent that Polly is someone to try and fight.

8) Family First: Polly’s Fierce Fight to Free Michael

Polly would never let go of her loyalty to her son; when trouble came to find Michael, she moved every mountain possible to help him. This was a moment well worth savoring because it was dripping with conflict: Polly's choice to back Michael put her at odds with Tommy. This was more than family division; it essentially was about taking sides in an emerging power struggle. While focusing on the intelligence of Polly's internal conflict—the strength of keeping quiet about it—McCrory made it clear Polly loved Tommy but that Michael would always come first.

9) A Deadly Warning: Polly vs. Linda Shelby

Polly nearly made Linda Shelby's life much shorter just because she underestimated her. Polly was the one who put a stop to Linda when she pulled a gun on Arthur, but it wasn't just the action that gave this moment so much weight onscreen; it was the absolute authority that McCrory brought to the scene. The shot fired and the cold look, Polly reminded the world about just why she was indeed the true enforcer of the family and brought this whole thing home. It wasn't about Arthur; it was about order.

10) A Farewell to a Legend: Polly’s Lasting Legacy

Though tragically Helen McCrory passed away before filming began for Season 6, Peaky Blinders gave a fitting farewell to her character, Polly. Polly's death entirely off-screen caused an irreplaceable void, and the Shelby family mourning over her was a very significant occasion. Grief, thirst for vengeance, and silent strength that Tommy, Michael, and Ada, respectively, represent highlight the colossal impact left on them by Polly. The show never attempted to replace McCrory but rather honored her memory as a tribute to the fact that she was irreplaceable.