3 different actors have played Winston Churchill in Peaky Blinders

If you've binge-watched Peaky Blinders from start to finish, you might have noticed something peculiar about Winston Churchill. He's always there, pulling the strings in the background, overshadowing Tommy Shelby's universe. But glance a little more closely, and you'll notice—he doesn't appear to be the same throughout Peaky Blinders.

It's because Churchill was played by three different actors throughout the series. Not a casting error, but a deliberate decision. Peaky Blinders covers over a decade, from the post-World War I period to the political unrest of the early 1930s.

Churchill's own path through those years—from a rising political player to a weighty statesman—is reflected in who portrayed him and when. Andy Nyman, Richard McCabe, and Neil Maskell all took on the role at different intervals in the chronology, providing us with an adaptation of Churchill that suited the time.

Here’s how it all unfolded.

Who played Winston Churchill in Peaky Blinders, and when

Andy Nyman: The post-war Churchill

Andy Nyman first appeared as Churchill in series one, set in 1919. At this point in history, Churchill wasn’t the wartime icon yet, but he was already a major force in government. He’s introduced when Inspector Campbell reports to him about stolen military guns in Birmingham. That’s when Churchill starts watching Tommy Shelby and his gang.

Nyman’s Churchill is sharp and strategic. He’s working in the background, pulling levers, keeping the state’s grip tight. The energy is still there—this is Churchill before the burden of war shaped his public image. He’s a man who doesn’t hesitate to use force when needed. The series shows him as both curious and ruthless, especially when it comes to maintaining order in post-war Britain.

Richard McCabe: The transition years

In series two, as the show shifts into the early 1920s, Richard McCabe takes over the role. His Churchill is slightly older, more established. He’s introduced in a scene that catches many viewers off guard: sketching at a life-drawing class. It’s a brief but telling moment—an unusual glimpse into Churchill’s personal habits.

McCabe’s version fits the political moment. Churchill is no longer reacting to war chaos; he’s part of shaping the country’s next phase. His relationship with Tommy is less about surveillance and more about strategy. There’s an understanding, even if it’s unspoken: Churchill knows the Peaky Blinders aren’t going away, so he’d better know how to use them.

Neil Maskell: The Churchill of power and politics

By series five, it’s Neil Maskell wearing the hat. These episodes are set in the late 1920s and early 1930s—Tommy Shelby is now a Member of Parliament, and Churchill has become a symbol of the British establishment. Maskell’s version brings a quiet weight to the role.

Maskell prepared for the part by reading biographies and studying Churchill’s speeches. He also went through a heavy prosthetic transformation to match the aging politician’s appearance. What we get is a version of Churchill that’s more reflective, more careful—but still very much in control.

His scenes with Tommy carry a different energy now. It’s no longer just a politician tracking a gangster. These are two men navigating the same treacherous waters of power and public life. Their conversations are marked by mutual calculation and, occasionally, a hint of respect.

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One role, three actors—each timed perfectly to the history Peaky Blinders was telling.

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