This one Stephen Graham performance in Peaky Blinders took the spotlight of the drama away for a moment

Recent Netflix hit Adolescence’s lead star Stephen Graham made his Peaky Blinders debut back in 2022. In the show, he played a crucial supporting role called Hayden Stagg. The highly intense finale of the BBC period crime drama kept its focus on the chronicles of the infamous Tommy Shelby, but a few supporting performances still stand out.

Graham’s portrayal of an enigmatic introduction, Hayden Stagg, is one of them. Stagg, a union convener at the Liverpool Docks (where the Birmingham gang had its influence), had a face-off with the iconic Arthur Shelby. This confrontation took place in Peaky Blinders Season 6 Episode 3, titled “Gold,” and involved Arthur and his boys. However, despite the moment being too vulnerable, Stagg does not hesitate to play mind games with Arthur and steal the moment with one of the best monologues.

Stephen Graham stole the show with his small Peaky Blinders role and his return to the upcoming movie looks even more promising

Stephen Graham’s character Hayden Stagg made his first appearance in the sixth and final chapter of Peaky Blinders. The moment he set foot in the sequence, he was seen carrying an aura of confidence and trouble.

Even though he did not have a formidable presence in front of the cutthroat gangsters (Peaky Blinders), Stagg proved that he can be quite the manipulator. To paint the premise, Hayden Stagg was apparently stealing from the Shelby business in Liverpool.

So, Thomas Shelby’s younger sister Ada Shelby (played by Sophie Rundle) takes matters into her own hands. She decides to send Isiah (a close associate) to deal with the situation. A young and confident Isiah jumps at the opportunity to prove his position in the gang.

But when Ada asks him to take Arthur (the elder of the Shelby brothers — portrayed by Paul Anderson) along, he hesitates. Arthur had been dealing with drug addiction and withdrawal symptoms. However, Ada puts out a stern voice saying that Arthur is important in such nasty business because:

"No one would dare f**k with Arthur Shelby."

As we see in Peaky Blinders Season 6 Episode 3, an old and rusty Arthur struggles to stand on his own feet. Still, he leads a group of young boys to the north (Liverpool) with the same beastly spirit. When the Shelbys reach the Liverpool Docks, they call out the name Hayden Stagg, who initially appears to be MIA.

But moments later, Stephen Graham enters the scene in his mysterious new role and with quite the stature. Despite the Birmingham gang having a more intimidating presence with their suits, shiny boots, and guns, Stagg does not stand down.

He faces Arthur Shelby single-handedly, ready to take the beating, but his manipulating monologue becomes the showstopper. Stagg tries to influence Arthur by cornering him about his drug addiction issues. As we see him saying:

"You know, comrade, beneath your sleeves lies the truth. The marks on your arm."

Stagg further goes on saying (in a triggering tone):

"You know, where once you walked fine alone, now you need a strick."

As Stagg steers the drama, Arthur is seen crumbling bit by bit and turning soft as the former tries to lure him into using morphine (that was lying in a warehouse “just across the yard”). The whole sequence not only proves Stephen Graham’s prowess as an actor but also gives space for a supporting role to take the lead.

Eventually, we witness Arthur changing tones as Stagg keeps dominating him. In a surprising turn of events, the ‘once a killer’ Shelby is seen retracting and also orders his boys to walk away. Stagg’s appearance, despite being limited in Peaky Blinders, is hugely impactful.

Moreover, Deadline had confirmed back in 2024 that Stephen Graham would also appear in the upcoming spin-off movie The Immortal Man, which currently is in production. So, a character as bold as Hayden Stagg has huge potential to evolve into something bigger as he faces Tommy Shelby. It can definitely be his much-needed redemption arc.

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