Peaky Blinders Star Paul Anderson Opens Up on Glasgow Roots and Personal Struggles That Shaped Arthur Shelby
Paul Anderson, best known for portraying Arthur Shelby in the hit BBC series Peaky Blinders, has revealed how his turbulent upbringing and Glasgow heritage influenced his iconic gangster role.
The 50-year-old actor, a proud Celtic fan, shared that his Glaswegian father served as a major inspiration for Arthur, bringing authenticity to his performance alongside co-star Cillian Murphy. Tommy Flanagan, who played Arthur Shelby Sr., added another layer of familiarity to the character dynamics, as he also hails from Glasgow.
Reflecting on his childhood, Anderson described a household full of kids often left alone while the adults went drinking, painting a vivid picture of emotional neglect. “I was raised in a big family, often starved of affection,” he said. “It was easy to channel that into scenes with Tommy Flanagan, given our similar backgrounds. It was cathartic.”
He added, “That pain, rage, and fear — it’s all easy to access for me because I’ve lived through it. My dad did the best he could, but it wasn’t easy.”
While Anderson declined to confirm his return as Arthur in the upcoming Peaky Blinders film due to a non-disclosure agreement — and past struggles with crack cocaine addiction — he promised more candid insight during an upcoming Q&A appearance at Dundee’s Fat Sam’s nightclub.
Now a father himself to a son named Bud, Anderson is preparing for a return to TV screens in The Gray Room, a Civil War-era drama created by Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman, and directed by The Mission’s Roland Joffé. The eight-part series, produced by Paramount, tells the real-life story of three female Union spies who played a key role in ending slavery.
Anderson plays Stokely Reeves, a villainous character based on a historical figure. “He’s someone you’ll love to hate — not unlike Arthur,” Anderson joked. “I’m very proud of my work on this project. I’ve seen a few episodes over my mum’s shoulder, and it looks fantastic.”
