Peaky Blinders, aka, everyone's favourite show, is finally back. And we couldn't be happier. The hit series returned to screens for the sixth and final season a couple of weeks ago and it's already got us all hooked/obsessed/donning flat caps etc. It also looks like we're finally getting answers about why John Shelby, played by Joe Cole, was written out of the show back in series 4.
We all remember the devastating scene when John, the younger brother of Arthur and Tommy, was shot to death by Italian assassins in series 4 of Peaky Blinders. Well now, Joe Cole who played John for several years has revealed the reason why he left the series so abruptly.
Speaking in a recent interview Cole explained, "With Peaky Blinders I never really got out of the gates in that role. It's Cillian's show really. This show [Gangs of London] is more ensemble, it follows characters on a deep level."
He spoke about deciding to join Sky Atlantic's Gangs of London, explaining why it felt different to the other roles he has been offered since leaving Peaky Blinders.
"I’ve spent the last few years turning down gang related shows because when a show does well you get offered quite a lot of them," he told Metro.
He added that although he initially wasn't keen to sign on, he changed his mind after reading the synopsis, saying he came to think the show "could be something special"
"I actually chose to leave Peaky Blinders because I wanted to explore new avenues, and new characters and new stories."
Well, John Shelby, we miss you. But we understand.
Gangs of London series 1 is available to watch now on Sky Atlantic.
