It is difficult to imagine a character who sparks as much immediate distrust as Gina Gray in the ‘Peaky Blinders‘ world. And that, according to Anya Taylor-Joy herself, is a perfectly justified reaction.
In an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, the actress did not hold back when looking back at her experience in the Shelby universe.
Anya Taylor-Joy Admits Gina Gray Is the Worst Character She’s Ever Played
When talking about the popularity of the show in Argentina, she confessed that Gina is perhaps the most unlikable character she has ever played in her life, and not subtly. “Peaky Blinders is huge in Argentina. That’s potentially the worst character I’ve ever played. They love it.”
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It is almost comical the way she is so frank about it. Actors tend to justify their roles or find some redeeming features. Taylor-Joy, however, appears to know quite well that Gina was not written to be comprehended; she was written to shake things up. The way Gina works is what makes her stand out in a show full of killers and crime bosses.
She does not get her hands dirty like Tommy Shelby or Luca Changretta. Her weapon is influence. From when she is introduced in the story, she starts silently driving Michael Gray to ambition that soon transforms into arrogance. It is not that she wants power; she feels that she is entitled to it, even in a family that she hardly knows.
That’s where the danger lies. Gina does not admire the regulations that established the Shelby empire. She views it as something to be possessed, remodeled, and dominated. And by doing so, she speeds up one of the most tragic splits in the series: the division between Michael and Tommy.
There has always been a debate among fans on who should be blamed more in that conflict. But it is difficult to ignore the frequency with which Gina is in Michael’s ear, raising doubts.
Why Fans Still Can’t Look Away
Gina is not a forgettable character, although she is very unpopular. In fact, that may be the point. ‘Peaky Blinders’ has never lacked in memorable villains, like Chester Campbell or Oswald Mosley, but Gina introduces a new type of tension. She does not take the scenes by the throat; she shakes them using her brain.
In case you missed it: How ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ Turns a Real Nazi Plot Into Tommy Shelby’s Biggest Threat
And now, as ‘The Immortal Man’ picks up the story of the Shelby legacy, her absence continues to haunt the story in a rather unanticipated manner. The mess she contributed did not simply fade away; it transformed the future of the family. It is what makes Taylor-Joy’s comments strike more.
To refer to Gina as her worst character is not to criticize the writing; it’s a recognition of just how effectively the character did what she was meant to do.
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