Peaky Blinders: 10 Best Minor & Supporting Characters

The worst thing about May Carleton is that she would have been the perfect person for Tommy Shelby, had Grace not existed in the first place.

Her relationship with Tommy is one borne of respect and genuine affection on both sides. He clearly adores who she is and the way in which she sees the world, however, she just won't ever win out in his heart against his beloved slain wife.

May's very proper and posh upbringing make her different from most characters in the series, she isn't one for violence or gang wars but she does possess an intelligence that means she is able to really see Tommy for what he is. She even knew Grace just from the sight of her at the races without ever having been told of what she looked like prior.

In many ways, you feel bad for May because in another life she'd have been Tommy's wife and mother of his children willingly, it just wasn't this life. For that, her complexity and ability to stare the truth in the face without rose-tinted-glasses, May is one of the most underrated and tragic figures in the whole show.