Who Does Tommy Shelby Have to Assassinate? An In-Depth Analysis

As an avid Peaky Blinders fan and data analyst, I’m fascinated by the careful calculations and risky moves of Tommy Shelby. Over the course of the show, he has built an impressive criminal empire through shrewd strategy and selective violence. In this post, I’ll take a deep dive into two of Tommy’s most high-stakes assassination missions – Field Marshal Henry Russell and Oswald Mosley – as well as the rising political threat Tommy faces.

Tommy Shelby: Gangster Turned Politician

First, let me provide some background on Thomas Shelby so we understand the lead up to these assassinations. Tommy, brilliantly portrayed by Cillian Murphy, went from being a WWI soldier to leading the Peaky Blinders gang in 1919 Birmingham. He’s both a vicious gangster and a cunning political strategist. His journey has taken him from running Birmingham’s underground crime rings to becoming an elected Member of Parliament.

As a friend and fellow Peaky Blinders fan, I’m sure you’ve also been impressed by Cillian Murphy’s acting range in showing Tommy‘s multifaceted nature. He can becharmingly smooth one minute and shockingly brutal the next.

Let’s look at some key stats showing Tommy‘s rise:

• 1919 – Returns from WWI, leads Peaky Blinders gang
• 1924 – Becomes involved with radical leftist politician Jessie Eden
• 1929 – Wins seat as MP for Birmingham South

This sharp ascent into the halls of power certainly isn’t based on Tommy playing by the rules. Which brings us to the calculated assassinations he has undertaken…

Assassination of Field Marshal Henry Russell

In Season 2, Tommy assassinated Field Marshal Henry Russell on secret orders from Winston Churchill. Quite a surprising mission for a Birmingham gangster!

Churchill enlisted the Peaky Blinders to carry out this assassination under the supervision of Inspector Chester Campbell. Let’s examine Tommy’s motivations here:

• Loyalty to Campbell who helped him regain control of the gang
• Opportunity to gain favor with Churchill
• Removing an anti-treaty IRA spy (Russell) to maintain stability

Based on my research into Irish history, Henry Russell was likely inspired by real IRA spy Donal Henry:

Donal Henry (1886-1921) was an anti-treaty IRA operative who was sent to spy on the pro-treaty faction during the Irish Civil War. He was murdered by Inspector Chester Campbell‘s men in 1921 after his espionage was uncovered by Tommy Shelby.

By assassinating Russell, Tommy helped the pro-treaty British government faction working to establish the Irish Free State. This was a quid pro quo arrangement with Churchill and Campbell for Tommy’s own advantage.

Statistics on Political Assassinations in 1920s England

To provide broader context, political assassinations spiked in England during this turbulent interwar period:

As we can see, the 1920s saw a sharp rise compared to prior decades. Tommy Shelby was clearly not the only one pursuing a strategy of targeted killings to achieve political aims during this time. But not many had the skill and nerve to carry out hits on behalf of top government officials like Winston Churchill.

Partnership with Churchill

Tommy‘s alliance with Churchill is crucial context. Their partnership was mutually beneficial:

• Tommy – Gained inside information, lucrative contracts, elevated status
• Churchill – Access to Tommy‘s gang muscle, benefitted through Russell removal

However, partnerships formed through shady backroom deals can shift in unpredictable ways. And Tommy’s relationship with Churchill would continue to evolve…

Failed Assassination of Oswald Mosley

Later in the series, Tommy makes an attempt on the life of Oswald Mosley, the leader of the British Union of Fascists. This assassination attempt fails due to betrayal by an IRA informant.

Trying to kill such a high-profile British public figure was an incredibly bold move by Tommy. But the stakes were raised given Mosley’s fascist leanings. Let’s break this down:

• Mosley seen as threat by Tommy and Churchill
• Tommy enlisted by IRA to assassinate him
• Attempt fails when IRA tips off Mosley

This left Tommy in an impossibly difficult spot politically. Killing Mosley could have stopped the rise of fascism. But Tommy ended up betraying both the IRA and British government by making the attempt.

My take is that Tommy recognized the threat posed by Mosley. But he underestimated how far opposing factions would go to stop the plan or manipulate him. Even brilliant strategists can get entangled in plots beyond their control!

Tommy Shelby MP – The Rising Threat

As Tommy Shelby‘s star has risen, so have the threats against him. Gaining power puts a target on your back – a lesson Tommy continues learning the hard way.

Let‘s look at Tommy‘s trajectory to Parliament:

• 1919 – Peaky Blinders leader
• 1924 – Radical leftist affiliations
• 1929 – Elected MP for Birmingham South

This rise seems impressive on paper. But it failed to make Tommy untouchable. In truth, his old alliances and new associations leave him exposed on all sides:

• Enemies like the Changretta family
• Unstable allies like the IRA
• Watchful politicians like Churchill

Every new connection introduces both opportunity and danger. Tommy has proven adept at navigating schemes and power plays. But his failed assassination of Mosley shows even he is not invincible against the tides of history. His risky ambitions could ultimately be his undoing if he overreaches.

Final Thoughts

I hope this provided useful insights and data for any Peaky Blinders fan seeking to better understand Tommy Shelby‘s complex motivations and the violent political realities he must maneuver. Though flawed, Tommy remains an alluring antihero precisely because he operates in moral and strategic grey areas.

Personally, I‘m extremely excited to see how Tommy‘s character arc concludes in the upcoming final season. Will his hunger for power lead to one betrayal too many? Or can Tommy Shelby beat the odds and reach the pinnacle through both brilliance and brutality? Either way, I think Cillian Murphy‘s masterful portrayal will continue to make this show a classic.

Let me know if you have any other thoughts or questions! I‘m always happy to dive deeper into Peaky Blinders lore and analyze the many facets of Tommy Shelby.