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It’s been nearly three years since Peaky Blinders aired its gripping finale, wrapping up six unforgettable seasons. Yet, the show’s fandom—and the legacy of its iconic protagonist—continues to thrive. Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby remains a lasting force, a sharp, calculating leader who commanded the Peaky Blinders with unmatched power and presence.
While a lot of appeal and popularity of Peaky Blinders comes from its cast members and their performances, the dialogue and screenwriting also stole the show. The writers, including Toby Finlay, Stephen Russell, and Steven Knight made sure to strike a balance between dialogues that were deep and meaningful enough to make a mark, regardless of whether they were violent or tender.
Given the fact that Murphy’s Tommy Shelby carried a major section of the show, it is no wonder that he got the most memorable lines that fans can still swear by. Let us now look at five of the most popular dialogues that Tommy had said and also explore their context.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion.
Top 5 Tommy Shelby dialogues
“Already broken”
It is in Peaky Blinders Season 1 Episode 2 that Tommy utters these words as Grace tells him that if she sings a sad song it will break his heart. Tommy then tells her that his heart is already broken, referring to the numerous waves of tragedy that he had been through because of having to go to war and also losing his loved ones.
Coming back from the war had seen a drastic change in Tommy’s personality as he had grown more critical and calculative instead of being the tender and caring person he used to be. This line consisting of two words is thus an extremely powerful sentence that clearly conveys the devastations that Tommy had been through.
“Oh, And There's A Woman. Yeah. A Woman I Love. And I Got Close.”
This intense confession comes near the end of Peaky Blinders Season 2, Episode 6, just as Tommy finds himself captured by Major Campbell's men. With his life hanging in the balance, it feels as though his fate is sealed and his end is inevitable.
However, before he was killed, he was given a last cigarette as a show of respect and while smoking he had an emotional outburst when he mentioned Grace and how he loved her and came close to having almost everything.
These lines bring out Tommy’s anguish and the fact that he is ultimately saved by a double agent adds more layers to it. In that moment of vulnerability, Tommy’s true self comes forward and this dialogue sums it up very well.
“You Don't Parley When You're On The Back Foot.”
This line is said by Tommy in Peaky Blinders Season 1 Episode 2. This dialogue shows Tommy’s understanding of how the business world runs.
As Kimber, the head of the Birmingham Boys gets mad when he learns about Tommy’s involvement with the races, Tommy steps in to handle the situation by offering him help regarding the Lee Family.
This shows Tommy knows how it is important to negotiate from a higher position as otherwise the chances of winning get reduced. These words, uttered by him perfectly show what a skilled businessman he is besides being a mastermind in the world of crime.
"I Have No Limitations."
In Peaky Blinders, Tommy has been told multiple times that he does not understand his limitations. This characteristic of his has often gotten his loved ones in trouble and even killed.
In season 6 episode 6 after Tommy shoots Michael, he finally admits the same and utters these lines. Tommy’s character has always been underlined by confidence and bravery and these lines bring out the same in him.
The lines are especially true because the show has consistently shown Tommy to emerge as the winner even in the most difficult situations. Not caring about his limitations and constantly pushing his boundaries is what makes Tommy the fearless character he is and these lines work as his confession.
"We Just Sell Different Parts Of Ourselves."
Another iconic dialogue, in Peaky Blinders, Season 1 Episode 3 Tommy tells this to Grace when he asks her to mingle with Billy Kimber, as he tries to set her up as an escort. Grace appears surprised at such a proposal but Tommy seems to be unaffected because he believes that every person has to sell something of themselves to survive.
This shows Tommy in a completely non-judgemental way as believes that an escort and a soldier both sell their body and their time, respectively, for survival, and thus, there are no differences between them.
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These are some of the most iconic dialogues said by Tommy Shelby. While the list of his dialogues can be endless, these five often stand out as they perfectly bring out the essence of Tommy Shelby.
Peaky Blinders can be streamed on Netflix.
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