CILLIAN Murphy has paid tribute to a Peaky Blinders icon who sadly died aged 60.
The hit BBC show’s costume designer, Stephanie Collie, passed away on October 26 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer six months ago.
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In tribute to Stephanie, star Cillian Murphy who plays the famous Thomas ‘Tommy’ Shelby, wrote: “Stephanie was a ferocious talent. She invented the Peaky Blinders look and silhouette that has become iconic across the world.
“We will all miss her. RIP.”
Peaky Blinders’ official Instagram account also paid tribute to Stephanie’s “incredible work”.
They wrote: “We were so saddened to learn of the passing of costume designer Stephanie Collie.
“Stephanie’s incredible work in our first series was key to creating the iconic look of the Peaky Blinders, and has gone on to inspire so many people around the world. Our love and thoughts are with her family.”
Stephanie has been remembered fondly by A-listers across Hollywood.
Samuel L. Jackson said: “Stephanie was fuel for my characters. A wonderfully joyous & collaborative part of my process.
“I’ll miss her, is an understatement.”
Fellow acting icon Ryan Reynolds added: “Deeply saddened to hear of Stephanie Collie’s passing.
“She was an accomplished and talented designer — but the world has also lost two precious natural resources: her wry wit and acerbic observational humour.
“My condolences to her family, colleagues and all who knew her. Rest well, Stephanie.”
Stephanie worked the iconic Peaky Blinders’ costumes during the first series.
Her influence on set, and iconic designs, were largely responsible for creating the unmistakable atmosphere of the hit show.
She took inspiration from the real notorious Peaky Blinders gang.
Cillian’s costumes were based on mug shots taken in those times.
The famous flat caps and tweed waistcoats have now become popular costumes – even transcending into fashion trends since the BBC show aired.
Stephanie won a Royal Television Society Award for Best Costume Designer for her work on the series.
She was born in Cheshire and moved to Cheltenham to study at Cheltenham Arts College.
The globally recognised costume designer completed a fashion degree at the London College of Fashion.
Her stellar career started out in the BBC’s sewing room alongside fellow costume designer Susan Coates.
Stephanie would go on to collaborate with actor and filmmaker Kenneth Branagh, as part of the Renaissance Theatre Company.
After gaining theatre experience, Stephanie moved to on-screen costume design, working on Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
She leaves behind three siblings, Fiona, Alison, and Nicola, as well as a stepdaughter with her late husband Hubert Taczanowski.
Hubert was also a creative, a director of photography, and died just months before Stephanie.
He passed away aged 63 on June 4, 2024.
It comes as Saltburn star Barry Keoghan has been seen for the first time on the set.
The actor, 32, was shooting scenes with co-stars Sophie Rundle And Tim Roth.
The period drama, which ran on the BBC for six series, is returning for a feature-length catch up with the Birmingham gangsters.
Barry is joining the cast in a mysterious new role, but it appears his character has close ties with the Shelby operation.
With the tell-tale flat cap the gang is famed for hiding razor blades in, giving them their Peaky Blinders name, Barry looked like he fit right in with Tommy Shelby’s mobsters.
In scenes show on the streets of Bradford on Thursday, Barry kept a low profile as he shot a scene with Sophie Rundle, who plays Shelby sister Ada Thorne.
Ada took over the operation at the end of series six, after Tommy fled for a new life after being tricked into believing he was dying of a brain tumour.
Stephen Graham has also been confirmed to return to the show as the mysterious Hayden Stagg, as are devoted members of the gang Charlie Strong (Ned Dennehy), Johnny Dogs (Packy Lee), and Curly (Ian Peck).
Meanwhile, speaking to Netflix on the announcement of the movie, which will be released on the streaming platform, Cillian Murphy said: “It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn’t finished with me…It is very gratifying to be recollaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.”
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