10 Reasons Anya Taylor-Joy was the perfect casting for Gina Gray in Peaky Blinders

Whenever Peaky Blinders introduced Gina Gray in Season 5, the viewers immediately felt the air change. With such a lush wardrobe, a very cool American accent, and some dubious influence on Michael Gray, Gina was far from just another side character. Casting Anya Taylor-Joy for the part was a very brave and wise move. Carrying her credits from The Queen’s Gambit and The Witch, Anya added mystique, grace, and that subtle menace to a world already full of dangerous beings.

Even though she did not appear for too long, she used Gina to powerfully say the world is hers when that feels unpredictable at the flip of an eye. She did not just fade into the Shelby world; she stormed it. A character that viewers either loved or hated, yet could never really ignore.

Here are ten reasons that Anya Taylor-Joy could not have been a better choice to embody Gina Gray and why her portrayal remains a highlight in the Peaky Blinders world.

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10 Reasons Anya Taylor-Joy was the perfect casting for Gina Gray in Peaky Blinders

1. Anya’s American background made Gina feel real

The actress Anya Taylor-Joy was born somewhere in the U.S., so to speak, with Argentina and England carving out her roots; thus, she has developed a cultural blend. This makes Gina Gray pose as a really American woman walking down the gritty British world of Peaky Blinders. Gina had to stand out, and Anya made sure she did, from her accent down to her bold confidence.

Not one iota did the show feel forced in her entrance; rather, she exuded a kind of soft charm and cool swagger that really fit Gina's story. Her American energy really gave a new dynamic to the already established British cast.

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2. She gave Gina a quietly dangerous edge

A wife she might be, but Gina has some secrets and considerations of her own. Not by the book, Anya Taylor-Joy laid subtle clues indicating that Gina was not trustworthy. That was by the very silence of her gaze, meticulous control over whatever she said, and an unwillingness to even be intimidated.

There was certainly something dangerous just beneath the surface. It was never made explicit, but Anya ensured you always stayed doubtful of Gina's true intent.

This tension kept slowly crescendoing into something that made Gina a lot more fascinating. Anya then did not portray Gina as a villain but rather as an intelligent and cold-hearted woman with all her wit five steps ahead.

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3. Her natural connection with the cast added depth

Anya certainly did not have many moments in the company of Cillian Murphy, but the fans definitely noticed how well she bonded with the rest of the cast, especially Finn Cole, who assumed Michael Gray's role. Their relationship looked as authentic as the love and friction between them.

Off-camera, she noted what a great focus Cillian keeps during filming, but insists on having his snack box available for him at all times, and don't even think about touching it! Such an interesting behind-the-scenes tidbit reflects how well she gelled with the cast, making her feel like part of the Peaky Blinders world despite joining late.

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4. She made Gina unlikable in the best way

Let's be real, many of us didn't "like" Gina. But that was what made Anya so great. She turned Gina into the kind of character that gets on your nerves. Anya took a risk that many would not have by going with that dislike.

She didn't try to make us like her, and that made Gina more powerful. Rather than turning Gina soft, she remained hard, proud, and impenetrable. Actors don't often take to being hated, and that's what made her stand out.

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5. She turned Gina into a serious threat

Gina did not play second fiddle. She was Michael's wife, but she gradually became an engine propelling him towards power and away from Tommy Shelby. Anya Taylor-Joy did not scream or go crazy. She allowed Gina's strength to shine through subtle confidence, clever manipulation, and a perpetual sense that she had something more going on.

Critics also spoke about how Gina could be the actual force behind Michael's ambition. Without Anya's steady but fiery performance, Gina would not have been such a threatening rival.

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6. Her past roles helped her shape Gina perfectly

By the time she appeared on Peaky Blinders, Anya had already given award-winning performances in series such as The Queen's Gambit and movies such as The Witch. She was accustomed to portraying mysterious, powerful, and emotionally nuanced characters. That prepared her to develop Gina as more than a gangster's wife. She endowed her with a complex personality, part socialite, part con artist.

Audiences could understand that Gina wasn't one-dimensional, and that was courtesy of Anya's awareness of complex characters. She didn't require showy scenes. Her expressions and tone alone were enough to grant Gina subtle authority.

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7. Her look matched Gina’s bold, stylish personality

Gina Gray was supposed to be flashy, trendy, and impossible to forget. Anya embodied that through bold fashion statements and an elegant, confident demeanor. From fur-lined coats to 1920s-style glamour makeup, she made a statement each time she appeared on screen. But it wasn't just fashion. Anya played Gina like someone who was accustomed to power and wealth.

Her broad, intense gaze and aloof voice provided Gina with an extra oomph. Opponents even labeled her appearance as "Betty Boop meets gangster's wife." Such bold fashion made her entry into the Shelby family even more shocking and memorable.

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8. She made Gina’s powerful family feel believable

Gina's powerful American family with ties to crime and politics was probably based on real-life personalities such as Joseph Kennedy Sr. Anya Taylor-Joy acted the role as if she had done so all her life with that combination of class, corruption, and control. She made it plausible that Gina might have ties to wealthy, nefarious individuals in another country.

That made her interaction with "Uncle Jack" all the more realistic. Anya was given the aura of a woman who could work with strong men and pull strings behind the scenes. That made the story more plausible as connected to actual history.

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9. She stood out among the show’s big names

Peaky Blinders is full of gritty characters, Tommy, Arthur, Polly, Alfie, and so on. There are a lot of new additions that get lost in the mix. But Anya ensured Gina didn't become an afterthought. She delivered a cool, measured performance that got you to take notice without going too big.

Even with a few scenes, she left a mark. Whether she was plotting quietly or glaring at someone, you took notice. It requires talent to stand out among so many large egos, and Anya did. Gina wasn't boisterous, but she was unforgettable.

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10. She left fans curious about Gina’s future

Despite limited screen time, Gina became one of the most talked-about characters. That is because Anya Taylor-Joy made Gina feel like she was just starting out. Her last scenes left fans feeling that Gina might have a bigger part to play in the future, particularly with Michael's ascension. Fans were even curious about what she'd do next, even after the show had ended.

That lingering interest indicates how powerful Anya's performance was. She didn't merely act as Gina; she developed a character who seemed to have her own whole life, just waiting to be revealed.

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Anya Taylor-Joy brought a sharp-edged, unforgettable quality to the character of Gina Gray in Peaky Blinders. In a show filled with strong personalities, she made Gina a quiet force of power, unpredictable and extremely cunning. Anya did not rely on highly dramatic scenes to get her point across: the acting work was mostly done by the character's looks, voice, and presence.

With very little screen time, Gina emerged as one of the most spoken characters. She left her mark, either to be loved or hated.