The word "hero" has been debased in today's world, but Cillian Murphy has elevated the word "antihero" to new heights with his performance as the leader of an Irish-Roma gang with strong family ties based in Birmingham, England. Beginning in 1919, the series is loosely based on true events and an actual gang by the name of Sheldon, not Shelby, the stories embellished and enhanced by writer and Birmingham native Steven Knight's family memories. Murphy leads the ensemble cast as the head of the family, Thomas Shelby, and includes the inimitable Helen McCrory as Polly, his aunt and adviser, Paul Anderson as Arthur, the eldest son, Joe Cole as John, the third youngest son, Sophie Rundle as Ada, the only sister, and Sam Neill as a vicious Irish inspector. The enormous cast also includes Tom Hardy, Adrian Brody, Sam Clafin, Charlotte Riley, Natasha O'Keefe, Paddy Considine, and many others. There are 5 seasons so far with a 6th coming up in 2021, and a proposed 7th season as well. The library, unfortunately, has only the first 2 seasons, but the others are available on Netflix.

Interesting how quickly some of these Brit films turn up at SPL, while ones I really want to see (sometimes after viewing in UK) never make it across. This was beyond my tolerance for grit despite love of historical content. All star cast.