new episodes of the Peaky Blinders are available on Netflix, making this the perfect time to get you acquainted with your new favorite sociopathic villain Aberama Gold, played by Aidan Gillen. This calculating and cutthroat gangster will surely ruin your life in more ways than one, but make no mistake, he’s completely charming about it (well, when he’s not doing something disgusting or violent). So if you’re looking to add Aberama Gold to your list of TV boyfriends, here are 10 things you need to know about him… Aberama Gold – Peaky Blinders’ newest and most ruthless villain
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An overview of the character
Aberama Gold is a historical figure from Birmingham, England who features in season 2 of BBC Two’s crime drama series Peaky Blinders. The character of Aberama Gold was brought to life by award-winning Irish actor Aidan Gillen (The Wire, Game of Thrones) but is based on real-life criminal mastermind William McMillan. Aberama Silver appeared as recurring character in Season 2 of BBC Two’s critically acclaimed period crime drama series PEAKY BLINDERS. He was played by Cillian Murphy’s co-star Aidan Gillen in one episode only. But what happened to him after that?
Why he’s a good villain?
Aberama Gold is played by Aidan Gillen, who gives one of his best performances. He’s a great actor for TV, he has shown that time and time again over his 30 year career. In Peaky Blinders Aberama gold is everything that makes great villains so enjoyable to watch.
He’s not in your face all of the time like some of other excellent British villains such as Stringer Bell (Idris Elba) or Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector) but there is an underlying aura around him that makes you feel uneasy while watching it knowing he will get his comeuppance at some point in the show.
Was his death necessary?
Aberama Gold is one of Tom Hardy’s finest performances on Peaky Blinders so far. He brought an intimidating nature to his character that few actors could match. A scene with Sam Neill in season 3 stands out as a testament to his performance. We never got to find out how he died, or if he even did die, which left fans shocked when he wasn’t present in season 4.
How did you prepare for this role?
In order to portray Aberama, I needed to do quite a bit of research on my background. I needed to understand what he was, and where he came from. According to Wikipedia: The series follows gangs fighting for control of a seedy Birmingham based on England’s second city during 1919–1922 after World War I. Each episode takes its name from a song title by a British rock band; each season shares its name with an album by The Fall. Gillen portrays Thomas Shelby, a lieutenant in an Irish gang who gets involved in large scale illegal arms dealing while looking to get out of that business and move up into high society through his connections with aristocrats and politicians.
What else can we expect from season 3?
With creator Steven Knight promising season 3 will be the best season yet, you can expect Aberama Gold to bring out his inner devil in upcoming episodes. With rumours circulating that Helen McCrory’s Polly Gray is set to appear, Aidan Gillen may need all of his acting skills to keep up with her. We’re sure they’ll have plenty of explosive encounters! Let us know what you’re hoping for!
Any favorite scenes/lines?
I have a great respect for you. You have shown more spirit than anyone I’ve ever come across. That is why it will be so satisfying to watch you die screaming, writhing like a pig on a spit, begging for mercy. And I will give you none. Not even when your voice turns high-pitched and childlike from terror, that last thread of sanity snapping as you realize there is no escape from me. Not even then.
Auditioning process
Gillen is an Irish actor who has made his career in England after making his screen debut in Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s play Holding On in 1991. Since then, he’s worked consistently on stage, screen and television—appearing in such films as London Spy , Genius , Waking Ned Devine , Little White Lies , Fifty Dead Men Walking and The Stag before being cast as Petyr Littlefinger Baelish on Game of Thrones . However, Gillen did not audition for Peaky Blinders for that part; he got it on a recommendation from series creator Steven Knight.
How was it working with Cillian Murphy (Thomas Shelby)?
It was a pleasure working with Cillian. He is a true professional and knows his craft. I look forward to future collaborations with him. The role of Aberama Gold presented challenges that I have not yet faced on screen, but it was all in good fun working on such an exciting production, right here in my home town.
What were your first impressions when you found out you got the part?
When I first received an email that said: Can you come in for a meeting with Steven Knight? I was excited, but at that time I knew very little about Steven Knight or his work so had no real preconceptions. By the time I got to my first meeting with him I felt like we’d always been working together; there was a synergy between us and things just started happening quickly. We seemed to be on exactly the same page as far as our goals for Aberama were concerned; he wanted him to be very complex, multi-layered character who never really gives anything away.
Do you know what’s next for Aberama Gold in the show? If so, can you tell us?
In all honesty, I have no idea what is next for my character on Peaky Blinders. That said, as a fan of the show myself, I am curious to see how it all turns out. What I can say for sure is that Aberama Gold, who always wants what he cannot have and has no qualms about taking matters into his own hands when things don’t go his way, will be causing some major problems for Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) in season 4 of Peaky Blinders. But, then again, if you’ve been watching since season 1 you know all too well that Aberama Gold was never really in need of any help getting into trouble…and he’s still not.
What drew you to this character?
I’ve always wanted to play a character who is so fascinatingly evil that you can’t take your eyes off him. I’m thrilled that Peaky Blinders gave me just such an opportunity. Aberama Gold is not a good guy. He doesn’t care who he hurts or how many people end up dead as long as he gets what he wants; exactly how I love my bad guys! I had previously watched two seasons of Peaky Blinders, so was well aware of how bloody brilliant it is; something else which attracted me to playing Aberama in particular. Fans of Peaky Blinders will remember seeing his name pop up from time to time, now we finally get to see what he’s all about!