Who does Stephen Graham play in Peaky Blinders? Exploring his character on the crime drama series

Stephen Graham arrived in Peaky Blinders in its sixth and last season, playing Hayden Stagg, a union convener working in the Liverpool docks. Stagg is introduced in episode three and soon proves himself to be a force to be reckoned with when Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson) and Isiah Jesus (Daryl McCormack) come to confront him about pilfered opium.

Unlike past Peaky Blinders villains, who used sheer force, Stagg incapacitates Arthur not by violence but by a searing psychological examination of his addictions and misery. The stage, an emotionally charged dark warehouse, holds initial promises of a bloodbath.

Yet instead of worsening the strife, Stagg puts the stoppers in on Arthur through acceptance of his hurt:

“Beneath your sleeves lies the truth… the marks on your arm.”

His capacity to strip the bravado from Arthur in one exchange is a departure from the show's standard method of dealing with confrontations, making him one of the greatest guest characters of the show.

Stagg's impact on Peaky Blinders was a forceful reminder in their brief encounter that words, when used properly, can be as deadly as a knife.

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Hayden Stagg redefined power in Peaky Blinders

In contrast to most Peaky Blinders characters who live on intimidation and physical strength, Hayden Stagg is a more cerebral type of power. His measured restraint and deep emotional intelligence make him stand out from past Shelby family enemies.

When Arthur and his gang raid the Liverpool docks looking for a fight, Stagg's calm confidence deflates their aggression in a manner no one expects.

This is especially meaningful because Peaky Blinders has been defined for a long time by violence and revenge. Stagg's conversation with Arthur latches on to a surprising vulnerability, alluding to his own experience of post-war combat morphine addiction and religious disaffection.

As he makes parallels between their lives, he offers Arthur a different option—one that does not involve further descension into self-destruction.

“Don’t build a mountain,” he advises. “Walk like it’s a flat plain, easy step by easy step”.

These few, simple and profound words, capture a rare instance of compassion in a series where compassion is always seen as a sign of weakness.

Stephen Graham's short time on Peaky Blinders shows that true power is not always about ruling through force; sometimes, it is about listening and outsmarting an adversary with brains, not brawn.

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What’s next for Stephen Graham?

Stephen Graham's appearance as Hayden Stagg was no cameo—it was a subtle masterclass. His power to control the mood of a scene with a stare or an aptly placed line lent extra depth to an already tense season.

Stephen Graham's Peaky Blinders stint is one of many in his long and respected career, including This Is England and Boiling Point. His talent for playing rich, deeply human characters has earned him a reputation as a highly sought-after actor in television and film.

Stephen Graham will return to the Blinders' universe in the new Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man, where his role can only grow bigger.

Meanwhile, Stephen Graham's new Netflix show Adolescence, has hooked viewers with its radicalization and got a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Stephen Graham's dedication to socially conscious projects guarantees that his impact on crime dramas such as Peaky Blinders will be long-lasting.

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Peaky Blinders seasons 1-6 are streaming on Netflix and BBC iPlayer.