7 best Oswald Mosley moments from Peaky Blinders that will make you a fan of Sam Claflin

Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix
Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix

Oswald Mosley might be one of the most hated characters in Peaky Blinders, but there can be no denying that Sam Claflin made him one of the most unforgettable. Introduced in Season 5, Mosley immediately clung to being a razor-sharp, disarmingly handsome, dangerously ambitious rival to Tommy Shelby.

Claflin's portrayal was praised for bringing a semblance of historical accuracy and chilling charisma that would captivate viewers, leaving them uncomfortable with his presence. Unlike other villains who chose violence, Mosley was armed with his wits: speeches and persuasion.

There was tension in any scene Mosley was a part of, keeping the audience hooked through Claflin's keen performance. If you hated him before, these best Oswald Mosley moments will surely win you over.


7 best Oswald Mosley moments from Peaky Blinders that will make you a fan of Sam Claflin

1. Mosley’s first introduction

Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix
Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix

When Oswald Mosley is first seen in Peaky Blinders Season 5, viewers can already feel his dominance. Sam Claflin introduces a combination of arrogance and charm that makes Mosley different from the other adversaries Tommy has encountered. His assertive body language and incisive words indicate that he is not intimidated by confronting the Shelbys.

This scene is memorable because it is the start of one of Tommy's most perilous fights. Claflin captures the actual Mosley's charismatic nature and makes everyone wonder what kind of trouble he will create. His entrance is enough to make a lasting impression.


2. The political speech

Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix
Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix

Mosley is at his best in Season 5 when he gives a passionate political address. Here, Claflin demonstrates his character's power to incite a crowd with rhetoric. Despite knowing Mosley's views are sinister, it's impossible to ignore the commanding stage presence. Claflin researched actual speeches of the real-life Mosley, and that preparation makes the scene believable.

His thunderous voice and acerbic looks underscore how perilous Mosley is whenever he commands attention. The scene also confirms that Mosley is not only a supporting character but a central character who can dramatically change the whole course of the story.


3. The dinner party scene

Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix
Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix

The dinner with Tommy Shelby is one of Mosley's most unnerving scenes. Claflin portrays Mosley as a man who enjoys flaunting his authority and surprising others with his arrogance. The way he fixes his eyes directly at Tommy and talks confidently creates tension in the air.

This scene is significant because it reveals how much different Mosley is from other antagonists; he doesn't fear Tommy at all. Rather, he attempts to dominate the room. Claflin's performance makes audiences resent Mosley but also respect his audacity. It's a shivery reminder that he is a formidable opponent, not a soft foe.


4. The bedroom scene with Gina

Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix
Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix

In Season 5, Mosley's surprising and brazen scene with Gina Gray left many viewers in shock. Rather than keeping his desires concealed, Mosley makes them known, showing the world he is not apologetic and also not afraid. Claflin acts this scene with equal measures of confidence and mischievous charm that leaves the audience uneasy but curious.

It provides a personal touch to his persona, indicating that he is not only a political personality but also one who desires control in his personal life. It indicates how far Mosley will go to defy rules and bring chaos. Claflin makes it both bold and memorable.


5. The boxing match event

Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix
Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix

In the boxing fight organized by the Shelbys, Mosley demonstrates his resourceful and sinister personality. He applies the event not just for fun but also as a means of extending his influence. Claflin's subtle cues, smirks, looks, and movements demonstrate that Mosley is always scheming something. This scene portrays how he can blend charm with strategy, rendering him erratic.

Against other foes who battle Tommy in the streets, Mosley toys with politics and the psyche. Reminding audiences that Mosley is a thinker and not a gangster, Claflin's performance adds to the menace he poses for the Shelby dynasty.


6. Outwitting Tommy’s assassination attempt

Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix
Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix

Perhaps the most surprising moment is when Tommy's assassination plot on Mosley goes awry. Rather than being eliminated, Mosley exits unscathed, demonstrating his survival abilities. Claflin delivers this scene with unflappable assurance, as if Mosley anticipated the threat. His smirk and collected demeanor make the scene impactful.

This turn of events not only upsets Tommy but also increases Mosley's significance in the narrative. Claflin's capacity to remain under control in this high-tension moment indicates just how perilous his character actually is. People understand that winning against Mosley will not be easy, and that makes him the standout villain.


7. The finale showdown with Tommy

Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix
Peaky Blinders | Image Source: BBC One / Netflix

In the last episodes, Mosley's interactions with Tommy are at their most intense. Both men engage in a battle of wits, with some of the most dramatic scenes in the series. Claflin excels by adding an air of arrogance to Mosley, while Tommy displays inner strength. This confrontation brings out the contrast between two great leaders. What is distinctive about it is that Mosley is not so physically violent as most Peaky Blinders foes are; his tool of destruction is manipulation.

Claflin's acting gives every sentence an ominous tone. The climax confirms that Mosley is one of Tommy's most formidable opponents, and Claflin's performance keeps viewers glued till the conclusion.


Oswald Mosley ranks among the less likable characters in Peaky Blinders, but Sam Claflin’s charged chemistry with the role molded him into one of the greatest characters. He was an amazing orator and had gripping standoffs with Tommy Shelby that illuminated Mosley's brilliant thoughts, scathing arrogance, and the unsettling aura he cast on his surroundings.

The extraordinary moments show that, therefore, Claflin's portrayal of Mosley will always remain one of the pillars on which the show's legacy rests.

Edited by Zainab Shaikh