Cillian Murphy’s Heartfelt Tribute: “I Was in Awe of How Helen McCrory Lived Her Life”

Cillian Murphy, best known for his magnetic portrayal of Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, has opened up about the profound admiration he held for the late Helen McCrory, who played the indomitable Aunt Polly in the BBC series. Their on-screen chemistry defined much of the show’s emotional and dramatic gravity, but Murphy reveals that their bond went far beyond script pages and camera lenses.

“She was my closest colleague on Peaky,” Murphy told The Guardian in May 2021, shortly after McCrory’s death at the age of 52 from cancer. “I was in awe of how Helen McCrory lived her life – the way she balanced her work and her family so beautifully.” His words echo the sentiment of many who knew McCrory not only as a brilliant performer but as a deeply compassionate and grounded individual.

Their relationship began long before Peaky Blinders, with Murphy recalling their first meeting in the late 1990s during an audition. He remembered her warmth and kindness, qualities that would become cornerstones of their working relationship years later. On set, McCrory was a force. “She was one of the finest actors I’ve ever worked opposite,” Murphy said. “She could pivot between power and vulnerability in a heartbeat.”

Her portrayal of Aunt Polly, the fierce and fearless matriarch of the Shelby clan, was both commanding and nuanced—an embodiment of McCrory’s ability to elevate any scene. For six seasons, from the series’ inception in 2013 until her final appearances before her illness, McCrory was its heartbeat. Murphy, in interviews with Esquire UK and NME, spoke of how “very strange” and “confusing” it was to film the final season without her presence.

Off-screen, McCrory’s legacy was just as powerful. With her husband, actor Damian Lewis, she raised two children—Manon and Gulliver—while maintaining an illustrious career across film, television, and stage. Her filmography includes memorable roles such as Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter series and Claire Dowar in Skyfall. Her theatrical work earned her critical acclaim, including Olivier Award nominations.

Even as she privately battled cancer, McCrory continued to give—to her craft, to her family, and to others. She was instrumental in the FeedNHS campaign during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping raise £1 million for healthcare workers. “Cool, fun, and compassionate,” Murphy said, summing up not just a colleague, but a friend whose generosity and spirit left a mark on all who knew her.

As fans of Peaky Blinders mourned the absence of Aunt Polly in the final season, Murphy’s heartfelt tributes reminded the world of the real person behind the iconic role. Helen McCrory’s life, as much as her performances, continues to inspire—and through voices like Murphy’s, her legacy endures with grace, strength, and reverence.