‘Never lost anyone like that’ Cillian Murphy admits he can’t believe Helen McCrory is gone

Cillian Murphy has explained how difficult it was to film the final series of Peaky Blinders without Helen McCrory. The Tommy Shelby star has admitted to Esquire UK how he was left “reeling” following his co-star’s death ahead of production.

Cillian has opened up in a new interview ahead of the series airing on the BBC in February.

One of the hardest aspects of filming, according to the star, was making it without Helen, who played Aunt Polly in the show.

Helen died of breast cancer in April last year, as her husband Damian Lewis shared the news.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “I’m heartbroken to announce that after an 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.

READ MORE: Bridget Fonda, 58, seen in public for first time in 12 years

He added: “She was inspirational. People throw that word around, but she genuinely was.

“Her values, the way she dealt with her kids and Damian… She cares about everybody.

“She’s really funny and really cool, and she had this real warmth. She really cared.

“It’s just… I still can’t believe she’s not here. It doesn’t make sense.

“I’ve never lost anyone like that — who was young and a friend.

“It was very confusing. But she was magnificent. She was an absolutely magnificent person.”

The Spring 2022 issue of Esquire UK is on sale from tomorrow.