‘Peaky Blinders’: what does Tommy Shelby whisper to Duke in the finale?

Some spoilers for the ending of ‘Peaky Blinders’ below

The end of ‘Peaky Blinders’ has left us with mixed feelings: it is the end of the series, yes, but not the end of the story. The sixth season of ‘Peaky Blinders’ ends the serial journey of the story created by Steven Knight, and gives way to a denouement that will be lived in the first film of the saga. For now, we only have unanswered questions. And one of them has us especially intrigued: What does Tommy whisper in his son Duke’s ear at the Shelbys’ last meeting?

At Tommy’s farewell dinner, before he decides to embark alone on a highly secret trip to the mountains, the leader of the Shelbys toasted his family and tried unsuccessfully not to get emotional as he said his goodbyes. Not even Arthur Shelby, who was disappointed in this ending of ‘Peaky Blinders’, could be present due to the emotion. Tommy left little notes: Linda asked her to take care of Arthur, Charles (her son) to take care of his mother Lizzie, Ada not to hesitate to run for the next election to take her seat in the House of Commons.

And Duke? His message was so secret that not everyone could hear it. Before leaving, Tommy leans over his illegitimate son, whom he has brought into the family and who is now part of his business, and whispers something to him.. Duke seems impassive. He pats her on the shoulder. And he leaves. But what the hell has he told her?

Neither the audio is heard nor the subtitles give us more answers: what Tommy says to Duke is a total mystery. Some viewers have pointed out that at first Tommy is seen saying the words “I want you…” (‘I want you…’), but that’s it. There is no possibility of reading lips or turning the volume up to two hundred. Still, we have our theories.

It is not lost on us that Duke, who was initially reluctant to join the Peaky Blinders gang, is now fully integrated into its universe: he wears the classic haircut of its members, we saw him participate in the secret plan of the Shelby to defeat his enemies, he shot the traitor Billy Grade and was even in charge of kicking Finn Shelby out of the family for having a mouth too big. The character has come full circle since we first saw him, and we clearly see him as what he may have been from the beginning: Tommy Shelby’s heir and successor as head of the Peaky Blinders.

With this in mind, when Tommy whispers something in his ear, it’s probably something to do with his position of power in his absence: perhaps telling him that he’s in charge now, perhaps even revealing that he’s about to die. and prepare to take his place. Across the table we see Charles, Tommy’s other son, clearly upset. The scene is clearly focused on making us understand a situation: as the protagonist once said, Charles is the son who will run his legal businesses, while Duke will be the boss in the shadows.. This poses a matchup that could be key to the future of the series.

In this sense, the content of the whisper may be completely irrelevant. Perhaps he is giving you the most boring instructions. What is important about this moment is instead the palpable tension between Tommy Shelby’s heirs and how this whisper confirms to the entire family that Tommy has chosen Duke as his right-hand man., and not Charlie. This will certainly be a line that the next movie will explore, and also the possibility of a story continuity or spin-offs that continue the legacy started by the series.

With Finn Shelby banished from the family and likely seeking revenge, or even waiting for the best time to reclaim his legitimacy as Shelby in order to take command of the company, the future of the Peaky Blinders is very intense and focused on a new generation of Peaky.