I firmly believe Grace's introduction as Tommy's love interest was a turning point in his Peaky Blinders character arc (& so was her death)

Cillian Murphy's Tommy Shelby, the protagonist and leader of the titular gang in the BBC's Peaky Blinders, had a momentary saving grace (literally), but he could not be redeemed in the end.

I think Annabelle Wallis' introduction as Grace (and eventual exit) were key events in Tommy's life, and his life can be neatly summarised in two categories: Before Grace and after Grace.

Being a war veteran suffering from PTSD and a gang leader with many enemies, Tommy had a bleak view of the world, which even made him nihilistic to an extent. However, the introduction of Grace in Season 1 was his second chance at life, which he ultimately took, but it led to their downfall.

Talking about her character, Wallis aptly summarised Grace's importance in Tommy's life:

''There are a few times in life when people cross your life, be it in a romantic sense or a friendship sense they kind of change your course. I think that’s definitely what Grace was for Tommy.''

More on Grace's importance in Tommy's life in Peaky Blinders in our story.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

I think Tommy Shelby had a second chance at life through Grace in Peaky Blinders

I don't think that Tommy's love interest being named Grace was a mere coincidence because it underscores just how much he needed grace in his life when he met the women in Peaky Blinders Season 1.

While Tommy was initially suspicious of Grace because she had concocted a backstory (not to blow her cover), he began to see her for her abilities and even offered her a job at Shelby Private Limited. However, the more time Tommy spent with Grace, he started to change and tap out of his war PTSD.

As Aunt Polly once revealed to Grace, Tommy was a different man before the war—he used to smile and have fulfilling relationships with women. But since the war, he has not been himself and has not had a genuine romantic relationship with a woman. Meeting Grace was Tommy's chance to reclaim his old self and life, which he had left behind during the war.

In one of my favorite scenes from Peaky Blinders Season 1, while Tommy pours whiskey with Grace in the Garrison pub, he imagines a life with the woman he loves. While Grace is torn between Tommy and her profession, Tommy dreams about a life with her, which he would probably never have.

I think Grace's death proves that Tommy was meant to be a tragic hero in Peaky Blinders

While the ruthless leader was starting to go legit and leave his criminal ways behind after marrying Grace in Peaky Blinders Season 3, he finds her on the floor with a bullet in her head, meant for him.

Tommy's world came crashing down, and with Grace, his chance at redemption was forever gone. In a Reddit AMA, Steven Knight confessed:

"The point with Grace is that if she had lived, Tommy would have been happy. He wasn't meant to be happy."

Being the leader of a criminal gang like the Peaky Blinders came with its cons, and the biggest drawback for Tommy was that he never had a chance at love. While he became lucky and found Grace, she was taken away from him moments after their marriage.

I believe Knight always envisioned Tommy as a tragic hero, which is why Grace had to die for Tommy to revert to his old ways. Grace's death after Season 3 remains the biggest turning point in Tommy's character, as he was not only motivated by revenge, but also regret for each action he took that led to his wife's death.

Grace's character proves that while Tommy could have a chance at life away from the violence, he was destined to lead the Peaky Blinders and thus could not attain it.

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