Peaky Blinders veteran Sophie Rundle remembers late Helen McCrory: “It’s devastating that she’s not here to finish it”

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You’ve been playing Ada for 13 years, do you look back at those early performances?

It’s uncomfortable to watch them sometimes, especially that one child who seems lost. It’s funny because my experience with this project feels bookended by two very different stages of my life: starting out as a young actress fresh from drama school, and now being a new mother. My youngest son was only about twelve or thirteen weeks old when we filmed.

Did that make filming The Immortal Man tough?

Looking back, being so exhausted might have actually been a good thing, though the whole experience was incredibly challenging. The Peaky Blinders crew were fantastic, but it felt strange filming while I was so vulnerable and my body was recovering after childbirth. I often wished there was a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen saying, “Just so you know, this actress recently had a baby!”

Did you realise that Peaky Blinders would have such an impact?

As a huge fan, it’s amazing to think about how Peaky Blinders really redefined what British TV could be. I’ve even heard from people who named their daughters Ada, which is incredible! It makes you feel a real responsibility to get everything right. Looking back, I didn’t fully grasp just how special this show was when I was starting out. It was one of my first jobs, and I naively thought every set would be this creative and collaborative. It’s only after working on other projects that I truly appreciate how truly exceptional Peaky Blinders was.

Is there a unique camaraderie among the cast and crew?

It’s funny how life unfolds. While everyone else is achieving huge milestones – winning awards or starting families – it feels like returning to a familiar routine when you’re back at work. Seeing Cillian Murphy win an Oscar was fantastic and well-deserved. Despite all of that, I still feel like a newcomer, still trying to reach the level of those more experienced than me. I’ve always greatly admired both Cillian and the late Helen McCrory.

Is it strange to still film without Helen?

Helen was a powerful presence both as Aunt Polly and as herself. It was incredible watching her work on set – she constantly brought new ideas and improvements to her performance. I often felt like I was just trying to keep up with her creativity.

We all fully expected her to see the project through, so we were keen for Ada to include Polly. I wore this suit in the last season, and I’m doing so now for Helen and Polly – as a tribute to her. It’s heartbreaking she couldn’t finish it, but her work lives on, and I hope I can do something to honor her character.

Are you happy with what happens to Ada in the film? it’s quite momentous…

It felt good – that’s the goal with stories like these. You want the ending to be as impactful as everything the character has gone through. I’m trying to be subtle, but this feels like a meaningful conclusion to the last fourteen years of my work. I sometimes wish I could start over, using everything I’ve learned, and do it all again. But then, the story wouldn’t have turned out the same way. Perhaps it was that initial naiveté and willingness to just jump in that made it special.

The new Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man, is currently showing in some UK cinemas. You’ll also be able to watch it on Netflix starting Friday, March 20, 2026, with subscriptions available from £5.99 per month. Netflix is also accessible through Sky Glass and Virgin Media.

Don’t miss Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Michael Hodges

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2026-03-17 11:40