Peaky Blinders: 10 Best Characters Who Appeared After Season One

Portrayed by Paddy Considine, Father John Hughes came and went in the blink of an eye - appearing in just four episodes. This short-lived villain was the main antagonist of season three and whilst he may not have lasted for very long, Hughes was a thrilling character to watch.

There's no doubting that John Hughes was a deeply troubling character. The season unearthed some disturbing truths about him including the fact that he was a child molester, with Michael Gray being one of his victims. Of course, John got his comeuppance thanks to Michael and it was one of the series' most satisfying deaths to date.

This leads us onto one of the things we loved about John Hughes. There's next to nothing to love about the character himself - he's utterly despicable - but he does facilitate an important evolution in Michael's character arc and that's important.

For much of season two, Michael was shaded and protected from the real goings on of the Peaky Blinders at the request of Polly, but it's naïve of Polly to think that this can be upheld. By killing Hughes, Michael essentially proves that he's now a Peaky Blinder through and through.

For a time, it's clear that Father John Hughes also has complete power over Tommy too. This is exemplified when he's told to blow up the train. Hughes may not have had enough power to retain this control but for a time, he really challenged the Peaky Blinders.