For the first time in its near 10 year history, a new series of Peaky Blinders will commence without its fearless leading matriarch Polly Gray.
Actress Helen McCrory tragically lost her battle with breast cancer in April 2021 at the age of 52, before filming scenes for the sixth and final series of the BBC gangster show had begun.
Helen left behind her husband Damian Lewis and their two young children.
Fans of the actress were also devastated by the news, which was shared in a heartbreaking statement by widower Damian.
The actor penned: "I'm heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family.
"She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives."
The news came as a huge shock with Helen bravely choosing to keep her health battle a closely guarded secret as she continued working.
Just weeks before her death, Helen made an appearance on Good Morning Britain to promote her charity work.
Sitting alongside supportive husband Damian, Helen opened up about working with the Prince's Trust in lockdown.
Midway through the chat, presenter Kate Garraway unknowingly asked: "Are you alright, Helen?
"You sound a bit croaky. Have you got a sore throat?"
The Peaky Blinders star retorted with a grin: "I've got children!"
Six weeks later, news of Helen's death broke with fans recalling the actress' final TV appearance and praised the star for continuing her charity work right up until the end.
As well as her work with the Prince's Trust, Helen and husband Damian also raised more than £1million for Feed NHS during the first coronavirus lockdown to provide hot meals for staff working on the front line.
After her passing, one of Helen's close friends revealed that the actress had made her pals swear to keep her cancer battle a guarded secret.
Carrie Cracknell, a trusted member of Helen's inner circle who also directed her in a stage production of Medea, said friends were 'sworn to secrecy' as she wanted to be 'fully alive and committed' to her charity work that she didn't want overshadowed by reports on her deteriorating health.
According to Carrie, only 'very, very few people' knew Helen was struggling behind the scenes.
Speaking to the BBC's Today Programme, Carrie said: "Helen wanted to be very private about her illness and I understand why. When you live in the public spotlight you have to find space to protect the things that are just for you.
"Very, very few people knew, and I only did because we were planning to transfer a show to Broadway and we had to cancel that because she was undergoing treatment. We were sworn to secrecy.
"Her need to be fully alive and be committed and to take things incredibly seriously, such as her family and charity work, defined her last few years for her as much as ever."
Paying tribute to her friend's brave battle, Carrie said: "Helen faced up to it with a level of bravery and humour that was completely extraordinary and was teaching people around her how to live. It was a very remarkable thing."
Tragically, Helen might have appeared in the final series of Peaky Blinders if it weren't for the Covid pandemic.
Filming was delayed until January 2021 with Helen unable to be present due to her cancer diagnosis.
Cillian Murphy, who plays lead Tommy Shelby, said the entire Peaky cast was 'desperately sad' to start filming without the actress.
Creator Steven Knight said: "Peaky will never be without the presence of Aunt Polly."
"We decided very early on that we needed to push on and that we needed to finish it. We hope that the series will be a testament to Helen," he added.
Both Murphy and Knight assured fans that Helen's 'presence and her character’s presence are very much still felt in the series, and it is very much part of Tommy’s journey in the season.'
As well as her role in Peaky Blinders, Helen will also be remembered for playing Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter film franchise.
Paying tribute at the time, her onscreen husband Jason Issacs said working with the actress is a "highlight" of his life.
Helen rose to fame in the 1990s and went on to star in films including Interview with a Vampire and The Queen where she received critical acclaim for her performance as Cherie Blair.
Peaky Blinders Series 6 starts on BBC One Sunday 27th at 9pm
