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17th Apr 2021

Peaky Blinders pay tribute to Helen McCrory after she dies aged 52

Charlie Herbert

‘All our love and thoughts are with Helen’s family’

Tributes have been coming in from across the world of acting and television honouring Peaky Blinders star Helen McCrory, after she passed away at the age of 52.

The news was announced on Friday by her husband Damian Lewis in an emotional post on Twitter.

Lewis wrote: “I’m heartbroken to announce that after an heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family.

“She died as she lived. Fearlessly.

“God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives.

“She blazed so brightly.

“Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.”

Since then, tributes have been pouring in from fellow actors, stars of Peaky Blinders and the show’s official account.

Cillian Murphy, who plays Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, said that he was “”broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend,” and that it was ” a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman… I will dearly miss my pal”.

The show’s creator Steven Knight described her as “one of the great actors of her generation.”

Horrible Histories and Ghosts star Ben Willbond wrote: “Heartbroken at the news that Helen McCrory has died. She was so so brilliant when she came to work on Bill. Funny, generous, some wicked stories. I was in awe. My heart goes out to Damian and their family. Rest in peace.”

Meanwhile Reece Shearsmith, star of the League of Gentlemen, also paid tribute to the McCrory. The two had worked together in theatre and on Shearsmith’s show Inside No.9. He described the loss as “unfathomable.”

Along with her most famous role as family matriarch Aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders, McCrory also starred in the Harry Potter films as Narcissa Malfoy. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling paid tribute to the actress, writing that she was “devastated to learn of her death.”

In 2010 she appeared in the Doctor Who episode ‘The Vampires of Venice’, and the show also tweeted their condolences.

And Michael Sheen, who set up a theatrical production company with McCrory, said that it was “an honour to work with her and know her.”

So many more have paid tribute, including Skyfall director Sam Mendes, comedian Matt Lucas, and BBC director of drama Piers Wenger. The volume of tributes and the people they have come from truly demonstrate the talent that McCrory was and the monumental loss this is.