Peaky Blinders icon dies aged 60 as Cillian Murphy pays tribute to star’s ‘incredible work’

CILLIAN Murphy has paid tribute to the Peaky Blinders icon who has sadly passed away aged 60.

Costume designer for the hit BBC series, Stephanie Collie, died on October 26 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer six months ago.

Peaky Blinders costume designer Stephanie Collie has died aged 60 Credit: Instagram

Star Cillian Murphy paid tribute to Stephanie’s ‘amazing work’Credit: Alamy

A touching tribute by the official Peaky Blinders Instagram accountCredit: Instagram

Paying tribute to Stephanie, star Cillian Murphy, who plays the famous Thomas ‘Tommy’ Shelby, wrote: “Stephanie was an incredible talent. She invented the Peaky Blinders look and silhouette that has become iconic around the world.

“We will all miss him. RIP.”

The official Peaky Blinders Instagram account also paid tribute to Stephanie’s “amazing work”.

They wrote: “We were very saddened to learn of the passing of costume designer Stephanie Collie.

“Stephanie’s incredible work in our first series was instrumental in creating the iconic look of Peaky Blinders, and has continued to inspire so many people around the world. Our love and thoughts are with her family.”

Stephanie is fondly remembered among A-listers across Hollywood.

Samuel L. Jackson said, “Stephanie was the fuel for my characters. A wonderfully joyful and collaborative part of my process.

“I’m going to miss him, is an understatement.”

Co-star Ryan Reynolds added: “I am deeply saddened to hear that Stephanie Collie has passed away.

“She was a successful and talented designer – but the world has also lost two precious natural resources: her sharp wit and acerbic humor.

“My condolences to her family, colleagues and all who knew her. Rest well, Stephanie.”

Stephanie worked on the costumes of the legendary Peaky Blinders during the first series.

Her influence on set design and iconic design are largely responsible for creating the unmistakable atmosphere of the hit series.

She was inspired by the real notorious Peaky Blinders gang.

Cillian’s costumes are based on photographs from those times.

The famous flat caps and tweed waistcoats have now become popular costumes – even trending since the BBC show aired.

Stephanie won the Royal Television Society Award for Best Costume Designer for her work on the series.

She was born in Cheshire and moved to Cheltenham to study at Cheltenham Arts College.

The world-renowned costume designer completed fashion studies at the London College of Fashion.

Her stellar career began in the BBC’s sewing room alongside fellow costume designer Susan Coates.

Stephanie will continue to work with actor and director Kenneth Branagh, as part of the Renaissance Theater Company.

After gaining theater experience, Stephanie moved into film costume design, working on Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

She left behind three siblings, Fiona, Alison and Nicola, as well as a stepdaughter with her late husband Hubert Taczanowski.

Hubert was also a creative director of photography, and he died just a few months before Stephanie.

He died at the age of 63 on June 4, 2024.

It comes as Saltburn star Barry Keoghan has been spotted on set for the first time.

The actor (32) filmed scenes with colleagues Sophie Rundle and Tim Roth.

The period drama, which ran for six series on the BBC, is returning for a feature-length series featuring Birmingham gangsters.

Barry joins the cast in a mysterious new role, but his character appears to have close ties to Operation Shelby.

Sporting the famous flat cap in which the gang is known to stash razor blades, Barry looked like he would fit right in with Tommy Shelby’s mobsters.

In a show of scenes on the streets of Bradford on Thursday, Barry kept a low profile while filming a scene with Sophie Rundle, who plays Shelby’s sister Ada Thorne.

Ada took over the operation at the end of the sixth series, after Tommy ran away in search of a new life after being tricked into believing he was dying of a brain tumour.

Stephen Graham is confirmed to return to the series as the mysterious Hayden Stagg, as well as loyal gang members Charlie Strong (Ned Dennehy), Johnny Dogs (Packy Lee) and Curly (Ian Peck).

Meanwhile, speaking to Netflix about the announcement of the film, which will be released on the streaming platform, Cillian Murphy said: “It seems that Tommy Shelby is not done with me… It’s very nice to work with Steven Knight and Tom Harper again about the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is for the fans.”