Who played Arthur Shelby in Peaky Blinders?

Paul Anderson played Arthur Shelby in Peaky Blinders. Anderson’s performance presents Arthur as Tommy Shelby’s older brother, a major member of the Peaky Blinders and one of the show’s most volatile and conflicted characters.

Arthur is a fictional character rather than a documented historical gangster. In the series, he is a First World War veteran who helps run the Shelby family’s betting and business operations in post-war Birmingham. His loyalty to the family is repeatedly tested by trauma, addiction and violent impulses.

Anderson was initially considered for the role of Tommy Shelby but was offered Arthur instead. He has described the character as appealing because Arthur is not simply brutal: he is also troubled, remorseful and emotionally vulnerable.

A frequent casting mix-up is confusing Paul Anderson with Tom Hardy, who plays Alfie Solomons, or Joe Cole, who plays Arthur’s younger brother John Shelby. Anderson remained associated with Arthur throughout the show’s six television series.