Peaky Blinders S6: ​​Why was Finn Shelby kicked out of the family?

For months and months, through five episodes of Peaky Blinders S6, fans have been begging for Finn to appear. But when he finally does, he’s kicked out of the Shelby family! Talk about a disservice! I’m as shocked and confused as Finn himself.

So why did newcomer Duke excommunicate Finn from the Shelby enterprise, even though he was properly born and brought up by the gangster family?

In Peaky Blinders S6 E6, Finn shows up with Billy Grade and refuses to shoot him when Duke reveals he’s a mole.

Finn has also previously let some important information slip out, which ultimately led to Polly’s death. Duke bans him from the Shelby family as a result.

Here’s the scene: First Tommy feeds Billy with false information to confirm one final time that Billy is the mole, which is verified once he leaks the information to the IRA.

When Billy and Finn finally show up at the Shelby household to celebrate, they are greeted by Duke and Isiah’s suspicions.

Duke has quickly fitted in his Peaky Blinders role, disposing of Billy Grade and informing Finn, that is no longer a Shelby by order of the Peaky Blinders

I know, I know, a lot of confusing feelings. You’re not wrong in believing that this felt all too rushed and all too staged.

Some even think this conflict is intentionally set up for the “new” generation of Peaky Blinders for the upcoming movie. Since Charlie would still be too young to butt heads with Duke, Finn would make a better component.

Finn vowing for vengeance at the end of his short, five-minute appearance certainly points to this new rivalry. 

Still, it feels so unfair. I don’t necessarily think Finn was aware that Billy Grade was a traitor. You can criticize a person for being gullible, but can you really throw them out of the family just because of that?

There have been so many instances when other Shelby members have been taken advantage of. Surely Finn has always been loyal of heart and should be given another chance.

(A small part of me still questions if Finn is doing penance for introducing Arthur to cocaine all those seasons ago).

Here are other things to ponder:

1. Did Duke act on his own devices, or was he ordered by Tommy to banish Finn?
2. If it were indeed Tommy’s orders, why didn’t he do it himself and at least have one last chat with Finn? He is still his brother and one he was quite fond of.
3. Was Finn’s friendship with Billy Grade the sole reason he was shunned out? If yes, is it really fair? 

The Peaky Blinders movie couldn’t come fast enough to answer all these queries.

About Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders is a British period crime drama television series created by Steven Knight. Set in Birmingham, England, the series follows the exploits of the Shelby crime family and their leader Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) in the direct aftermath of the First World War.

The fictional family is loosely based on a real urban youth gang of the same name, active in the city from the 1890s to the early 20th century. It stars Cillian Murphy, Sam Claflin, Aidan Gillen, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Finn Cole, and Tom Hardy

Netflix, under a deal with Weinstein Company and Endemol, acquired the rights to release the show in the United States and around the world. In January 2021, it was announced that the sixth series would be the last, followed by a spin-off film. The final series was broadcast in 2022.