Peaky Blinders: 7 Major Antagonists, Ranked by How Much We Hated Them
Who was the real king of hate in Peaky Blinders?
In Peaky Blinders, the lines between heroes and villains blur more often than not. While Tommy Shelby and his crew are no angels, those guys they confronted almost always managed to make us love to despise them.
7. Billy Kimber
Billy Kimber is the OG bad guy from season 1, a local gang leader who runs the racetracks. Sure, he's got a temper and a mean streak, but compared to the others, he's almost like that annoying neighbor.
You know, the one who's tough on the outside but kind of manageable. He's more of a traditional gangster, the kind we've seen a hundred times in old-school mob movies.
6. Luca Changretta
Luca Changretta, the Italian mobster from New York, brilliantly portrayed by Adrien Brody brought a whole new level of style and intimidation to Birmingham. He's slick, he's smart, and he's got a vendetta against the Shelbys that's personal.
Luca's the kind of villain who doesn't just want to win; he wants to do it with flair. But, even with his vendetta and mafia charm, he doesn't quite make it to the top of our "hate list." Maybe it's the accent, or the suits, or that he sometimes makes you forget he's a bad guy.
5. Jimmy McCavern & The Billy Boys
Jimmy McCavern and his gang, The Billy Boys, are no joke. These guys are brutal. They make their entrance literally with a bang and set the tone for their reign of terror. They're not just gangsters; they're ideologically driven, which makes them even more dangerous.
Their leader, Jimmy, is this mix of cold-blooded and cunning, making him a formidable foe for the Shelbys.
4. Chester Campbell
Inspector Campbell is the kind of villain you love to hate. A corrupt cop, a man of 'principles' twisted in all the wrong ways. His obsession with bringing down Tommy Shelby and his moral hypocrisy makes him the most detestable character in the series.
It's not just that he's a bad guy; it's that he believes he's the good guy. That self-righteous attitude mixed with his cruel methods puts him at the top of our list.
3. Michael Gray
Michael is part of the Shelby family, and we think he’s a nice guy, but then he's got his own agenda. Michael's the type of person who sneaks up on you and stabs you in the back. He's ambitious, sure, but his methods can be underhanded.
He's got this cool, calculating vibe that makes you think twice about trusting him.
2. Father Hughes
Hughes is a character that sends chills down your spine. Father Hughes isn't your typical antagonist. He's got this creepy, manipulative nature that's cloaked in a facade of holiness. The way he uses his position in the church to control and influence others is just low.
He's the kind of villain who makes you feel uncomfortable every time he's on screen. His interactions with Tommy Shelby show just how twisted he can be. You're not just mad at him; you're disturbed by him.
1. Oswald Mosley
Oswald Mosley takes the crown at the ladder of hate. He's the epitome of a charismatic villain. He's smart, persuasive, and utterly ruthless. His political maneuvers and ideologies are the kind that make your skin crawl.
He's a master manipulator, and you can't help but be intrigued by him, but at the same time, you're repulsed by his actions and beliefs.