Peaky Blinders’ Cillian Murphy leads the stars paying tribute to Helen McCrory

Peaky Blinders star Helen McCrory died aged 52 after a secret ‘heroic battle’ with cancer, her husband Damian Lewis revealed on Friday. 

And her co-star Cillian Murphy led the stars paying tribute to the iconic actress of stage and screen following the tragic news.

The actor, 44, plays Tommy Shelby in the Birmingham-based BBC show, brother to Helen’s Polly Gray, and he said in a statement that he was ‘brokenhearted’ over her tragic death.

In a touching tribute, Cillian said: ‘I am broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend. Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being. 

‘She was also a gifted actor — fearless and magnificent. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played. 

‘It was a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman, to have shared so many laughs over the years. I will dearly miss my pal. My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family.’

Showrunners of the programme also released a statement, saying: ‘Helen’s performance as Polly Gray was inspirational, joyous, transgressive, hilarious and incredibly moving.

‘As a person she was off-the-scale charismatic, and deeply caring. We feel so privileged to have worked with her over the last decade.’

They added: ‘All our thoughts and love are with Damian and family.’

Sophie Rundle, who plays Polly’s sister Ada Shelby, shared her thoughts after receiving news of Helen’s tragic passing.

Sharing a picture of Helen in character, Sophie wrote: ‘God she was so f**ng cool though. It is entirely senseless and brutal to lose Helen, she was an extraordinary and remarkable person. 

‘Quite shockingly talented. What a privilege to have worked with her these past years, I can’t overstate how much I admired her. 

‘My thoughts are with her family and loved ones. Our Pol. What a heavy loss. We will miss her so dearly.’

Finn Cole, who plays Polly’s son Michael, shared a picture of them both in character and praised her for being a ‘force of nature.’ 

In the caption of his post, he wrote: ‘Mother, wife, and an all round amazing role model. A force of nature who’s advise I’ll carry forever.

‘From day 1 on Peaky I felt blessed, and I will always aspire to be as awesome as Helen McCrory. Thank you mum. Rest easy x’

Sam Claflin, who plays Oswald Mosely in the programme, shared a tribute to Helen on Instagram, calling her an ‘icon’.

He wrote: ‘Thank you for all you have done. For all that you brought. And all you have left. You have been a teacher. A guide. A leader. An inspiration. And a friend, to so many. 

‘Any time I was ever fortunate enough to see your face across a crowded room, I felt ok. You were such a strong presence. 

‘Such a gifted and versatile actor. Such a kind and generous person. And you will be missed. Love and strength to you and yours x’ 

Actor Michael Sheen, who worked with McCrory in ITV drama Quiz, paid tribute: ‘So funny, so passionate, so smart and one of the greatest actors of our time. From the first moment I met her when we were just kids it was obvious she was very special.

‘It was an honour to work with her and know her. Much love to Damian and her family. Heartbreaking.’

Harry Potter author JK Rowling said on Twitter: ‘I’m devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman who’s left us far too soon.

‘My deepest condolences to her family, especially her husband and children. Simply heartbreaking news.’

Other actors also paid tribute to the star, including Kate Beckinsale who said she was ‘devastated’ to hear of Helen’s untimely passing.

Sharing a picture of Helen, she wrote: ‘I am devastated. Helen McCrory wore her immense talent with unparalleled grace and wit and heart.

‘I worked with her when I was 19 and she was already one of the greatest actresses we have ever had. And kind. And naughty.And warm. The absolute best.

‘So much love to her family and such a loss to everyone. Go well, you beautiful,brilliant soul. You will be dreadfully missed.’

Rocketman star Taron Egerton also shared a tribute to Helen, as he wrote in an Instagram post: ‘I did my first job with Helen. It was at the National Theatre in Stephen Beresford’s the Last of the Haussmanns.

‘I played a teenage boy who was besotted with her. It wasn’t difficult; she was kind, funny, awe-inspiringly talented and was full of so much life. 

‘I bumped into her and Damian many times over the past ten or so years and she was always the same; full of warmth, cheekiness and fun. 

‘I will always remember the scenes we shared in that play. She helped make me a better actor. She was amazing. Condolences to her family.’

Asa Butterfield, who starred as a young teenager opposite McCrory in the 2011 big-budget film Hugo, tweeted: ‘This really really hurts.

‘Thank you Helen, for your wisdom, your talent, your generosity. You lit up every room, and the world will miss you.’

Rufus Sewell tweeted: ‘Blindsided by this. Helen was a force of nature and just so f***ing great in ALL ways.’

Actor Jim Howick, who worked with McCrory and her husband on the 2015 comedy film Bill, tweeted: ‘This is so shocking and sad. Helen along with Damien were both terrific fun on Bill.

‘She was so generous with her time and her performance. I urge everyone to listen to her Desert Island Disks. What a talent we have lost.’

Announcing the tragic news on Friday, her husband Damian tweeted: ‘I’m heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family.

‘She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.’

McCrory, who was awarded the OBE for services to drama in the 2017 New Years Honours, was best known for playing the matriarch Polly in Peaky Blinders and Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter films.

Her other movie roles included playing MP Clair Dowar in Skyfall and Cherie Blair in The Queen and The Special Relationship.

On television, she appeared in Doctor Who, Inside No 9 and His Dark Materials, and last year appeared in the Hugh Laurie drama Roadkill on the BBC and ITV’s Quiz.

She also had an accomplished stage career, winning plaudits for National Theatre roles in productions of Medea and Terence Rattigan’s The Deep Blue Sea.

McCrory was also was nominated for an Olivier for her role as Rosalind in As You Like It in at London’s Wyndham’s theatre in 2006.

The actress and Lewis married in 2007 after falling in love when they were both cast in the play Five Gold Rings at the off-West End Almeida Theatre back in 2003. Together they share a daughter Manon, 14, and son Gulliver, 13.

The couple were last seen during an appearance on Good Morning Britain last month, where they appeared to speak about their charity work for the Prince’s Trust and the Prince’s Trust Awards.

McCrory and Lewis led fundraising efforts to provide hot meals for NHS staff during the pandemic. Their work led to almost £1million in donations to the Feed NHS scheme, and partnerships with chains including Leon and Wasabi.