There is no doubt that Peaky Blinders is one of the most successful series of recent times. The British historical drama production, starring Cillian Murphy, gained a large number of fans and now, about two years after its end, news comes to light that has surprised all fans of fiction. Actor Paul Anderson, known for playing the role of Arthur Shelby, has been tried and convicted of drug use and possession.
The information has come to light thanks to the Daily Mail, who published the details this Saturday. According to the aforementioned media, the events occurred on December 26, 2023 in a pub in Hampstead, northwest of London. A customer complained that the bathroom smelled like crack cocaine smoke after Anderson, 48, came out. After this notice, he notified the police. Authorities found Anderson “intoxicated”, accompanied by a young man and a 17-month-old baby, according to Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.
After this incident, the actor was taken to the police station, where the agents found crack, cocaine and a brown powder wrapper that turned out to be amphetamines. In addition, diazepam and pregabalin were added to all this, as revealed by the prosecutor, Kevin Kendridge. Anderson answered “no comment” to all questions during his interrogation, but later tested positive for opiates and cocaine, not crack, it was later learned at trial.
Finally, following the judge’s verdict, the actor pleaded guilty to the four drug-related charges, which was held last Thursday. The interpreter of other films such as Robin Hood and Legend was fined a total of 1,345 pounds sterling (1,573 euros). For his part, his lawyer, Moira MacFarlane, explained that everything happened when a group of fans of the series Peaky Blinders recognized Paul Anderson, who could not resist taking on the role of Arthur Shelby. It should be remembered that the character played by the actor had problems with drugs, consuming large quantities.
“He is often recognized and does his best to please the fans of the series by getting into character. He was recognized that day and tried to play the role for these people. And because of the lifestyle he leads, people often gives him incentives,” said the lawyer. Mrs MacFarlane insisted that Anderson had not been smoking crack cocaine, but she admitted that he “has found himself in an unfortunate situation and should have had the strength to say no”.
On the other hand, the film that will serve as a sequel to the series is scheduled to be shot this year, and according to the Daily Mail, this incident with Paul Anderson could somehow affect the producers’ plans for filming. We will have to wait to learn more details about the case and the imminent filming of the film about the Shelby universe.
