"That sounds wicked”- Back when Peaky Blinders director revealed the non human inspiration of Tom Hardy for Alfie Solomons

In Peaky Blinders, Alfie Solomons stands out as one of the most unpredictable characters. Played by Tom Hardy, Alfie shifts between calm conversation and violent outbursts, often in the same scene. According to Peaky Blinders director Colm McCarthy, that was the point. During the early days of filming Season 2, Hardy told McCaarthy that he was playing Alfie “like a bear.”

The conversation took place during a shoot for Freddie Thorne’s funeral. McCarthy shared this moment on the Obsessed With Peaky Blinders podcast. He said Hardy spoke at length about being a “good bear,” “bad bear,” and “scary bear,” depending on Alfie’s mood. After listening, McCarthy simply replied,

“That sounds wicked.”

This metaphor became a central part of how Alfie was performed and perceived throughout his time on Peaky Blinders.

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Tom Hardy's “Bear” concept

According to Colm McCarthy, Tom Hardy described Alfie Solomons using animal traits. In his words,

“I’m like good bear, and then I’m bad bear, and if I get angry bear, it’s like scary bear.”

This idea was not part of the script. Hardy shared it while visiting the Peaky Blinders set. McCarthy recalled this unusual moment happening in the rain, under a tree, with the crew nearby watching in silence.

The metaphor gave Hardy a structure for Alfie’s behavior. The result was a character who could quickly shift emotional states without warning, something that became a defining part of Alfie’s presence in Peaky Blinders.

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Physical appearance and creative choices

The bear comparison also led to Alfie’s look in the show. McCarthy remembered Hardy asking whether he could grow a beard. After explaining the character concept, Hardy requested the same set of conversations.

McCarthy said:

“And I was like, ‘So you want a beard?’ and he was like, ‘Yeah.’ And I was like, ‘Cool, that sounds awesome, that sounds wicked.’”

The beard, along with Alfie’s heavy coat and deliberate movements, helped underline the animal-like image Hardy had in mind.

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Alfie’s survival in Peaky Blinders

In Season 4 of Peaky Blinders, Alfie was shot by Tommy Shelby. His fate was left unclear. Actor Paul Anderson, who plays Arthur Shelby, later said there was an internal discussion about Alfie’s outcome.

Anderson said,

“We were unsure... there was a whole thing about whether or not Alfie would live or die, or get shot or not. It was up for debate and discussion.”

He also said:

“I know that Tom didn’t want to go. So there was this whole thing.”

Eventually, Alfie returned in later episodes. This continuity was possible in part due to the unresolved nature of his departure.

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Production Timing and Context

Hardy joined Peaky Blinders while also filming The Revenant, where his co-star Leonardo DiCaprio is famously attacked by a bear. The timelines overlap, though Hardy never connected the two roles directly. Still, the recurring imagery may have influenced how he approached Alfie.

There was no bear-like behavior written into the scripts, but Hardy’s approach—using tone, movement, and emotional shifts—aligned with the animal metaphor he developed.

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Character interpretation through behaviour

In Peaky Blinders, Alfie often jumps from silence to threat. He pauses mid-sentence or mutters cryptic lines. This unpredictability supports Hardy’s bear concept. He crafted a character who could intimidate or retreat without clear cues.

Though never confirmed on-screen, the metaphor helped guide Hardy’s delivery and performance style. It added to the tension whenever Alfie appeared in a scene, often leaving other characters—and the audience—unsure of what would happen next.

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Director’s reaction and creative freedom

McCarthy did not dismiss Hardy’s metaphor. He gave him room to shape the role. After Hardy explained the “bear” idea, McCarthy confirmed the discussion publicly and admitted it was unusual but productive.

The director said the entire conversation happened during a rain-soaked scene in a graveyard. The cast and crew looked on, unsure of what was being discussed, but McCarthy trusted Hardy’s process.

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