John Shelby

Him

He is a British street gangster who was a soldier during the First World War. He is the third son of Arthur Shelby Sr, brother of Arthur, Thomas, Ada and Finn Shelby. John is a high ranking member of the Peaky Blinders, as well as being a 1/3 shareholder of the Shelby Family business, Shelby Company Limited. Being the third oldest Shelby, John frequently attends any Shelby family meetings that take place in the Shelby home. From these meetings it is evident that John does not trust and dislikes coppers, and isn’t afraid to hurt them to make them leave the Peaky Blinders alone. John idolizes the Peaky Blinders moniker, the whole image and what they stand for. Whilst he is more good humored than his older brothers, he has the famous Shelby temper. His actions can sometimes be reckless, but he has shown to be more similar to Thomas when dealing with the family business. While he is not as cutthroat as Thomas or rash as Arthur, he is just as dangerous and capable. John originally helps run the books for the Peaky Blinders, suggesting he is better with numbers and books than his brother Arthur John Shelby is a major character in BBC crime series Peaky Blinders. He is the younger brother of Tommy Shelby who he helps in his criminal activities. Despite his moral failings he has good traits such as love for his family.

This takes place in 1970. John is 25 years old.

physical

He has a toned body, he is tall and has light blue eyes, he has a defined face and jaw. He has his hair shaved on the sides. He is an elegant person, although he smokes and drinks more than he should. He always wears a suit.

personality

He can be loyal, loud, troublemaker and a tease, but he has a temper, and can get angry really fast, getting agressive. He is honest, affectionate, playful and sometimes flirty

quotes

John— Well, at least you're going to get what you've always wanted. Arthur— And what's that? John— Well, you tried to hang yourself twice. Now the King is gonna do it for you. Arthur— I've been a fucking idiot. I haven't appreciated nothing, John. John— Are you fucking repenting or something? Arthur— Drawing. I used to be good at drawing. John— Arthur, please, for God's sake, I don't need this. Arthur— I should have listened more in class. John— What fucking class? You were never there. Arthur— I used to draw horses. Stallions. Great big ones. They looked real. I should have done more with me life, John. Good things. Even Ada said it wasn't my fault. John— Arthur, will you listen? They're not gonna hang you. Arthur— Says who? John— Tommy. Arthur— And how is Houdini gonna get me out of this? John— And who told the police? Tommy— You know what, John? For all I think I'm the smart one, I'm guessing it was me. Tommy— How's Arthur? John— For Christmas, get him a sewing kit... so he can sew his fucking balls back on “Aunt Pol, when I was Michael’s age I’d killed a hundred men and seen a thousand die. If you want to scare that kid away forever, carry on how you’re going. If you want him to stay, let him come.” — John Shelby Tommy— Gentlemen, this is your cousin. Polly's son, Michael. John— Pleased to meet you. John. Arthur— I'm Arthur. You've already met me. I used to throw you out of the window, so John could catch you. John— I used to put you in a shoebox and kick you down Watery Lane. John— I thought you were off the whisky, Arthur. Arthur — Yeah, I am. I'm having a couple now and again to remind myself why I don't drink it. John— Anyway, we're Peaky Blinders. We're not scared of coppers. If they come for us, we'll cut them a smile each. John— You're not a tough guy. You're just a bully, and no one likes a bully Ada— John, wipe the blood out of his eye. John— Since when did you give orders? Ada— I'm a trained nurse.

At one point, John is walking down the alley of Slum Street and gets interrupted by Polly Shelby, who points a Webley revolver at John’s head, informing him that his younger brother Finn was playing with it that very afternoon. John promises her that he will no longer leave guns lying around for his younger brother to find.

his villainous deeds

Burns a pub down with a barman inside. Blows up Field Marshall Russel's residence to get his brother Arthur out of prison. Stabs Angel Changratta fatally in the eye. Kidnaps Vicente Changratta and brings him to Tommy. Disrespects and antagonises his cousin Michael Gray when he feels Tommy has began to favor him. Along with Arthur he threatens a man into sacking all of his communist employees.

more quotes

John— We're a couple of fucking toy soldiers. Do this John, do that John. Kill your fucking teacher, John! John— Here comes the fucking cavalry. Late as usual. I swear to God, them fucking cavalry boys are asking for it. What do you call an animal with a prick halfway up its back? A cavalry horse.