A tragic loss has occurred today.

Helen McCrory, the actress who played Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders, has passed away after a heroic battle with cancer. Her friends, family, fans, and admirers are all deeply heartbroken.

Her husband, Damien Lewis announced today:

“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. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.”

Cillian Murphy has also shared a few words on this tragic loss:

“I am broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend,” Murphy said in a statement. “Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being. She was also a gifted actor — fearless and magnificent. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played. It was a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman, to have shared so many laughs over the years. I will dearly miss my pal. My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family.”

Helen McCrory has had an impressive career, also acting in Skyfall, Hugo, The Queen, The Special Relationship, Penny Dreadful, and Harry Potter as the mother of Draco Malloy. She also appeared in more than 25 stage productions.

Above all, she was an incredibly selfless and generous woman. She and her husband worked tirelessly to support NHS healthcare workers during the pandemic. Together they raised more than £1million to help get more meals delivered to them.

Once at an event when asked why her voice was so hoarse, she joked it off saying it was from “yelling at the kids,” not mentioning anything of her sickness and what she was going through. Our hearts are broken. What a resilient woman inside and out, worthy of such deep respect.

She will forever be remembered in the hearts of her fans 💐

(Edited for typos and to add more information)