Why Peaky Blinders Season 6 Has Sidelined Finn So Much

In the Peaky Blinders series finale, the limited role of Finn Shelby was finally explained after his absence for much of the season. Finn, the youngest Shelby brother portrayed by Harry Kirton, was not prominently featured in the first four episodes of season 6, but became a more significant character in the final two episodes as Tommy Shelby aimed to stop the British fascists and settle scores with gangsters.

Unfortunately, season 6 marked a deadly conclusion to the show with several main characters, including Tommy’s daughter, Ruby Shelby, Polly Gray, and Michael Gray, meeting their end. Finn’s reduced screen time in season 6, especially in comparison to his more active role in season 5, suggests that his past mistakes within the family business may have caught up with him. Despite his upcoming marriage, Finn’s lack of involvement and the unenthusiastic response from his family imply that he may not be as trusted as he once was. Additionally, the introduction of Tommy’s long-lost son Duke Shelby hints at Finn’s possible replacement within the Shelby family business.

Although Season 6 confirmed that Finn Shelby was still connected to the Shelby family, it became evident that this connection was strained. While he continued to work in the betting racket business with Billy Grade, it was apparent that the rest of the family had lost trust in him. The bookmaking business had always been an integral part of the Shelby family enterprise, but Isiah was now in charge instead of Finn. When Ada needed someone to go to Liverpool, she sent Isiah and Arthur Shelby instead of Finn, even though Arthur was barely capable of standing up. The family’s lack of trust in Finn was not sudden, as there were multiple instances that could account for his demotion.

The reason why Finn was no longer trusted was linked to the tragic loss of Polly in Peaky Blinders. In Season 5, Finn was entrusted with looking after Billy Grade. He accidentally revealed Tommy’s plan to assassinate Oswald Mosley, which led Billy to inform the IRA, who then stopped the assassination and killed Abarama Gold, Barney Thompson, and Polly Gray. Whether Finn’s actions were accidental or ignorant is irrelevant given the devastation he caused with his recklessness.

However, Finn Shelby’s mistakes on Peaky Blinders did not end there. As the youngest member of the family, he seemed eager to prove himself but was not cut out for the business in the same way that his brothers were. Disobeying Tommy’s orders and getting himself into compromising positions put everyone at risk and proved that Finn was a liability long before he allowed the IRA to save Mosley. However, given that he was kept away from the family business and treated like a child by his brothers for so long, it is perhaps not surprising that Finn failed to live up to their legacies.

Although Finn Shelby’s limited role in season 6 of Peaky Blinders was initially perplexing, his absence was later explained in the series finale. It is revealed that Tommy was aware of Billy Grade’s betrayal, which ultimately led to Finn’s banishment from the Shelby family. In the finale, Finn is presented with the choice of killing Billy or leaving the family, but he instead turns the gun on Isiah and Duke. It is made clear that the Shelby family no longer trusts Finn, and they excommunicate him from their ranks. The family’s distance from Finn prior to the finale suggests that they were prepared to sever ties with him and limit any further damage he could cause. Despite this, Finn’s promise to come after the family implies that he may make a return in the Peaky Blinders movie.