Sophie Rundle, who played Ada Shelby in the hit BBC series Peaky Blinders, recently opened up about the show’s incredible journey from a small British drama to a worldwide sensation. Looking back on the show’s 10-year run, Rundle shared her thoughts on how the series grew its audience and became a cultural landmark.
When Peaky Blinders first aired on BBC Two in 2013, it averaged about 2.38 million viewers in its first series. By the time the show ended in 2022, it had moved to BBC One and more than doubled its audience. Rundle, who joined the show fresh out of drama school, witnessed this growth firsthand.
Speaking on Josh Smith’s Great Chat Show podcast in March 2026, Rundle described the experience of watching the show’s popularity build over the years. She noted that the show’s energy kept building like a snowball, gaining more momentum with each new season.
From Drama School to Birmingham’s Small Heath
Rundle landed the role of Ada Shelby, the politically connected sister of Tommy Shelby, right after graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She admitted that getting the part felt like a huge moment for her career at the time. She had no idea that the show would grow into the global hit it became.
The actress talked about the early days of filming and how the cast worked hard to master the Birmingham accent. She mentioned that the Brummie accent is not commonly heard on television, which made it difficult for the actors at first. But after spending time in Birmingham and working with dialect coaches, the cast found their rhythm.
The Show’s Expanding World
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight had big dreams for the series from the start. He wanted to tell the story of the Shelby family across the interwar years and end with a movie set during World War II. Knight recalled his early vision with a sense of humor, quoting Leonard Cohen about needing “arrogance and inexperience” to be a writer.
The show started with Tommy Shelby trying to take over betting pitches at Worcester Races. By the final seasons, the stakes had grown much larger. The Shelby family’s influence spread from Birmingham’s streets to Parliament, with Tommy becoming a Member of Parliament and facing off against British fascists led by Oswald Mosley.
The series also dealt with real historical events like the stock market crash of 1929, Prohibition, and the rise of fascism in Europe. This historical depth helped the show attract viewers who were interested in more than just crime drama.
What Made the Show Connect With Viewers
Cillian Murphy, who played Tommy Shelby, shared his thoughts on why the show worked so well. He pointed to the long-form television format as a key factor. With six seasons and 36 episodes, viewers had time to get to know the characters on a deeper level.
Murphy explained that spending that much time with a character allows the audience to connect with them in a personal way. He said that television gives viewers a sense of ownership over the characters that movies cannot match.
Tim Roth, who appears in the new film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, agreed with this view. He noted that television series can spend entire episodes focusing on one aspect of a character’s personality. This depth of storytelling builds stronger bonds between viewers and the characters.
The Legacy of Helen McCrory
During her podcast appearance, Rundle also talked about her late co-star Helen McCrory, who played Aunt Polly Gray. McCrory passed away in 2021, and her character was written out of the final season.
Rundle shared memories of working with McCrory and spoke about what it meant to be part of the Peaky Blinders family. She described McCrory as an incredible presence on set and someone who left a lasting impact on everyone who worked with her.
The final season honored McCrory’s character while moving the story forward without her. The show’s writers found ways to keep Polly Gray’s influence alive even after her character’s death.
The Peaky Blinders Movie Arrives
The Peaky Blinders story continued on the big screen with Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which released in March 2026. The film follows Tommy Shelby into World War II and brings together many of the original cast members along with new faces.
Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth joined the cast for the movie. The film expanded the Peaky Blinders story into a new era while keeping the style and atmosphere that made the series famous.
The film’s theatrical release came after years of waiting from fans. Knight’s original plan to end the story with a movie finally came true, more than a decade after the show first aired.
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Why the Show’s Growth Matters
Looking back at the show’s journey, Rundle’s comments about the “snowballing” energy capture something important about how Peaky Blinders grew. The show did not become a hit overnight. It built its audience slowly, season by season, as more people discovered it through BBC broadcasts and Netflix streaming.
The show won three National Television Awards for best drama or best returning drama in 2019, 2020, and 2022. It also took home a BAFTA Award for best drama series in 2018. These awards reflected not just critical approval but also the show’s growing popularity with regular viewers.
Rundle’s experience shows what it is like to be part of a show that grows beyond expectations. From a fresh graduate landing a role to seeing that show become a worldwide phenomenon, her journey mirrors the show’s own trajectory.
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