What does Tommy Shelby smoke?

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What does Tommy Shelby smoke?

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Tommy Shelby, the main character in the popular TV series Peaky Blinders, smokes herbal cigarettes that do not contain tobacco or nicotine, which are specially made for filming purposes to ensure the actors’ safety and avoid any potential health risks. These prop cigarettes typically contain ingredients such as marshmallow root, passion flower, cloves, or jasmine, providing a similar appearance to real cigarettes without the harmful effects.

FAQs about Tommy Shelby’s Smoking Habit

About the Cigarettes

  1. What brand of cigarettes does Tommy Shelby smoke?: Tommy Shelby smokes Sweet Aftons, a brand that is also favored by other characters in different stories.
  2. Do actors smoke real cigarettes?: No, actors usually smoke prop movie cigarettes or herbal cigarettes that do not contain tobacco or nicotine to avoid health risks and addiction.
  3. What’s in prop cigarettes?: Prop cigarettes contain ingredients like marshmallow root, passion flower, cloves, or jasmine, which are safer alternatives to tobacco and nicotine.

About the Show and Characters

  1. How many cigarettes did Tommy Shelby have to smoke?: According to Cillian Murphy, the actor who plays Tommy Shelby, the cast goes through approximately 3,000 fake cigarettes per season.
  2. Does Tommy really smoke in Peaky Blinders?: Cillian Murphy, who plays Tommy Shelby, does not smoke cigarettes in real life and uses herbal cigarettes during filming.
  3. Who doesn’t smoke in Peaky Blinders?: Paul Anderson, who plays Arthur Shelby, does not smoke cigarettes and can only be seen smoking cigars in the series.

Health and Safety

  1. How harmful are herbal cigarettes?: While considered safer than traditional cigarettes, herbal cigarettes can still produce toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide and polyaromatics, posing health risks.
  2. Do they drink real alcohol on Peaky Blinders?: No, the actors do not drink real whiskey during filming; instead, they use tea as a substitute to avoid alcohol consumption.

Character Insights

  1. What does Tommy Shelby’s tattoo mean?: Tommy’s tattoos, including the rose and horseshoe on his left bicep and the initials TGC on his right arm, hold significant personal meanings, symbolizing his relationships and experiences.
  2. Why does Tommy Shelby not sleep?: Tommy’s lack of sleep is attributed to his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and constant vigilance, fearing threats to his position and family.

Style and Appearance

  1. What is Tommy Shelby’s haircut called?: Tommy Shelby’s hairstyle is known as the Textured French Crop, characterized by short back and sides with longer hair on top.
  2. What is the Peaky Blinder haircut called?: The Peaky Blinders haircut, as seen on Arthur Shelby, is referred to as the Slicked Back Undercut, featuring a disconnected style with shaved back and sides and long hair on top.

Cultural and Historical Context

  1. Is Tommy Shelby a gypsy?: Yes, Tommy Shelby and his family are of Irish-Romani descent, reflecting a unique cultural and ethnic group present in Britain.
  2. Why does Tommy say “In the Bleak Midwinter”?: The phrase “In the Bleak Midwinter” is used to provide comfort and remind characters that every minute they live is extra, preparing them to face death unafraid, drawing from its popularity among British troops in World War I.

Behind the Scenes

  1. Why does Tommy Shelby rub his cigarette on his lips?: According to Cillian Murphy, this action is done because the herbal cigarettes used in filming tend to stick to the lips if not rubbed gently across them initially, ensuring a more realistic smoking depiction on screen.

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