Elena Rossi
In the BBC TV series Peaky Blinders, Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, was romantically involved with a painter named Ruben Oliver, played by Alexander Siddig. Over the course of season 3, Polly and Ruben's relationship developed as Polly began to trust him and the two emotionally bonded. However, at the end of season 3, Polly and the rest of the Shelbys were arrested, and Ruben disappeared from the narrative without any explicit explanation for his absence. It is speculated that Ruben left Polly due to her arrest and descent into madness and depression, or that she ended their relationship. Actor Alexander Siddig confirmed that his absence in subsequent seasons was due to not being invited back for the next season, and not any behind-the-scenes reasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painter's name | Ruben Oliver |
| Painter's actor | Alexander Siddig |
| Polly's relationship with the painter | Love interest |
| Painter's disappearance | Not explicitly addressed in the series |
| Speculated reasons for disappearance | Polly's arrest and descent into madness, Polly breaking things off, Ruben not sticking by Polly during her arrest |
| Painter's potential return | Speculated by actor Alexander Siddig |
| Polly's death | Announced in Season 6 |
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What You'll Learn
- Polly and the painter, Ruben, emotionally bonded in season 3
- Polly destroyed the painting of herself in the season 3 finale
- Ruben was Polly's love interest in season 3
- Polly and Ruben's split is never explicitly addressed in the series
- Polly's actor, Helen McCrory, died in 2021, leading to Polly's death in season 6
Polly and the painter, Ruben, emotionally bonded in season 3
In season 3 of Peaky Blinders, Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, and her love interest, the painter Ruben Oliver, played by Alexander Siddig, emotionally bonded. Ruben was a painter who Polly met and grew close to as she began to trust him. She even revealed to him how she killed Inspector Campbell. However, Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, was suspicious of Ruben and believed he was responsible for his son's kidnapping. Despite this, Polly and Ruben decided to commit to each other and planned to start seeing each other.
Towards the end of season 3, Polly and Ruben's relationship became strained due to external events. Tommy persuaded Polly that Ruben had betrayed her, leading her to slash a painting he had made of her. This act of anger and the subsequent emotional fallout brought the two characters closer together as Polly grappled with her feelings and sense of self-worth. Despite this moment of connection, the season ends with Polly and the rest of the Shelbys being arrested, and Ruben is not seen again.
The exact circumstances surrounding Ruben's departure are not explicitly addressed in the series. It is implied that he left due to Polly's arrest and subsequent descent into madness and depression or that she broke things off with him before going to prison. Actor Alexander Siddig confirmed that his character was not invited back for the next season, and there were no explicit plans for Ruben's return.
In season 6, the show pays tribute to Polly and Helen McCrory, who passed away in 2021, by including a portrait of Polly painted by Ruben in a shrine of her possessions. This retcon of the painting, which Polly had destroyed in season 3, symbolizes a continuation of Polly's presence in the narrative and the characters' motivations, even after her death.
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Polly destroyed the painting of herself in the season 3 finale
In the season 3 finale of Peaky Blinders, Polly Gray destroyed the painting of herself, which was painted by her love interest and painter Ruben Oliver. Polly's reasons for destroying the painting were that the woman in the painting was "too sure of herself" and that she wasn't that woman. This moment served as a reflection of Tommy Shelby's power over Polly, as he had persuaded her that Ruben had betrayed her and that she wasn't worthy of his love.
After Polly's ordeal, she was suffering and it is assumed that Ruben did not stick by her side during her arrest and subsequent imprisonment, which is why he disappeared from the narrative. Polly and Ruben had grown closer over the course of season 3, with Polly even revealing to him how she killed Inspector Campbell. However, Tommy was suspicious of Ruben and believed he was responsible for his son's kidnapping. Despite Ruben's denial and his commitment to Polly, the couple's relationship seemed to end when Polly and the rest of the Shelbys were arrested at the end of season 3.
Ruben's disappearance from the show is a plot hole that has been noted by fans, with some speculating that he left Polly due to her descent into partial madness and depression, or that she broke things off with him. Actor Alexander Siddig, who played Ruben, has stated that he simply wasn't invited back for subsequent seasons, and there is no explicit explanation for Ruben's disappearance within the narrative.
Despite the painting being destroyed in season 3, it makes a reappearance in season 6 as part of a tribute to Polly and the late actress Helen McCrory, who passed away in 2021. The painting is included in a shrine inside a caravan that serves as Polly's funeral pyre. The inclusion of the painting symbolizes a continuation after death and the hardiness of Polly's character, suggesting that she will live on as a central part of the narrative.
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Ruben was Polly's love interest in season 3
Ruben Oliver, played by Alexander Siddig, was a charming and well-educated portrait artist who became Polly's love interest in season 3 of Peaky Blinders. Ruben first met Polly at the wedding of Thomas Shelby and Grace Burgess, where he was immediately attracted to her and made romantic advances. Polly, however, was initially resistant and suspicious of his intentions, thinking that he was only interested in her because she was a gangster.
Over the course of season 3, Polly and Ruben grew closer as she began to trust him more. Ruben even told Polly that he wanted to be with her and enter her world, and they decided to commit to each other. Ruben also revealed to Polly that he knew how she killed Inspector Campbell, showing the depth of their relationship. However, their relationship was not without challenges. Tommy Shelby, Polly's nephew, suspected Ruben of betrayal and tried to turn Polly against him. Despite this, Polly stood by Ruben, believing that he was innocent.
Unfortunately, at the end of season 3, Polly and the rest of the Shelbys were arrested, and Ruben was not seen again in the series. It is implied that their relationship ended during Polly's imprisonment, as she was alone without Ruben when she was released. The exact circumstances of their split are never explicitly addressed in the series, but it is assumed that Ruben left Polly during her difficult time.
Ruben's disappearance from the show has been a source of discussion among fans, with some considering it a plot hole. Actor Alexander Siddig commented on the possibility of Ruben's return, suggesting that the character could be a "mole" of some sort.
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Polly and Ruben's split is never explicitly addressed in the series
Ruben Oliver, a painter whom Polly enlists to paint her portrait in season 3 of Peaky Blinders, is a character that suddenly disappears from the show without any explicit explanation. Polly and Ruben's relationship and subsequent split are left unexplained, leaving fans to speculate about what might have happened between them.
Towards the end of season 3, Polly and Ruben are seen emotionally bonding after she slashes his painting in anger. However, in the season finale, Polly and the rest of the Shelbys are arrested, and Ruben is not seen again. While Polly goes to prison, it is assumed that Ruben did not stick by her side and left the picture, possibly driven away by her descent into partial madness and depression or because she broke things off herself.
The actor playing Ruben, Alexander Siddig, stated that he was simply not invited back for the next season, and there was no explanation for his character's disappearance behind the scenes. This leaves a plot hole in the story, as Polly and Ruben seemed to be planning to commit to each other and see each other for real.
In season 6, a portrait of Polly Gray by Ruben is included in a shrine inside a caravan that is set ablaze as a funeral pyre for Polly, who is said to have died at the hands of the IRA. This retcon serves as a tribute to Polly and the late actress Helen McCrory, who passed away in 2021, and symbolizes the continuation of Polly's character and her impact on the narrative.
While the show never directly addresses the split between Polly and Ruben, it seems that their relationship ended sometime after her arrest, and Ruben's absence from her life during her imprisonment may have played a role in their breakup.
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Polly's actor, Helen McCrory, died in 2021, leading to Polly's death in season 6
Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, was a beloved character in the BBC series Peaky Blinders. However, Polly's journey in the show came to an end in season 6 due to the unfortunate passing of the actress Helen McCrory in 2021.
Helen McCrory was a celebrated screen and stage actress, known for her versatility and powerful performances. In Peaky Blinders, she portrayed the formidable and complex Polly Gray, a role that brought her widespread acclaim. McCrory's portrayal of Polly was so compelling that the character became a central part of the show's narrative and a fan favourite.
In April 2021, at the age of 52, McCrory passed away peacefully at her home in London, surrounded by her loved ones. Her death was announced by her husband, actor Damian Lewis, who shared the tragic news on Twitter. The cause of her death was revealed to be breast cancer, a diagnosis that McCrory had kept private while receiving treatment and continuing to work.
Due to McCrory's untimely passing, the storyline for Peaky Blinders season 6 had to be altered, and certain parts were reshot. The opening episode of the season included a clever retcon related to the painting of Polly Gray, which served as a tribute to both the character and the actress. The episode was dedicated to Helen McCrory, and it featured a traditional funeral for Polly, with her body and possessions placed inside a caravan and set ablaze as a funeral pyre.
The inclusion of the painting was particularly poignant, as it had been destroyed by Polly herself in the season 3 finale. The painting's return symbolized a continuation after death and the resilience of Polly as a character. It also tied into the appearance of a pair of eyes in the sky after the funeral, suggesting that Polly Gray's presence would continue to be felt in the show.
Helen McCrory's passing led to a heartfelt farewell to Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders season 6. The show's tribute to both the character and the actress demonstrated the impact McCrory had on the series and the enduring legacy she left behind.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of Polly's painter and love interest in Peaky Blinders is Ruben Oliver.
At the end of season 3, Polly and the rest of the Shelbys are arrested, and Ruben is not seen again.
Polly slashes the painting because Tommy persuades her that Ruben betrayed her and that she isn't worthy of his love.
The painting is included in a shrine of Polly's possessions in season 6, despite Polly having destroyed it in season 3.
No, Ruben does not return in season 6.
