Viewers are eagerly awaiting the tense final episode of popular BBC drama Peaky Blinders this evening (April 3).
Following a cliff hanger ending, where Michael Gray promised to kill his cousin Tommy Shelby, and with Tommy told that he has just over one year to live, fans are speculating what the feature length episode will hold for the characters.
Will Tommy die? Will Michael succeed in his plan? And how will the episode tie into the long awaited Peaky Blinders spin-off film?
With just a few hours left until all will be revealed, fans have shared some of their theories about what lies in store for the Shelby family.
Ahead of Peaky Blinder's final episode, Daily Star has taken a look at some of the best fan theories.
Tommy Shelby dies
A shocking revelation in episode 4 of the final series of Peaky Blinders left fans devastated, after Tommy Shelby was diagnosed with tuberculoma.
The fearless Peaky Blinders leader was given around one year to live, and with Tommy saying he had one last deed to complete before "we Peaky Blinders rest", it seems that time could finally be up for the iconic character.
After The Peaky Blinders official Twitter page shared a clip of the feature length series finale, with the caption "Shall we witness the final act?", many fans have speculated that this is the end for Tommy Shelby.
One viewer said: "Tommy's Era is going to be over," followed by crying and broken heart emojis," while a second added: "I want Tommy to survive, but it's looking doubtful, so I'm preparing for tears again."
Others referenced the conversation between Tommy and wife Lizzie in episode five, where Tommy said: "When you married me, you married a man and a curse."
With flashback scenes showing Aunt Polly and Michael placing a curse on Tommy, and Michael continually promising to kill him, Tommy could potentially meet his fate at the hands of his cousin – and not the illness.
As the series has progressed, many characters old and new seem to have a grudge against Tommy Shelby and want him dead – meaning it is highly likely that series 6 could be Tommy's last.
Tommy cannot 'rest' until he is with Grace
One of the most emotional fan theories links back to the very first episode of the final series, where Tommy saw the apparition of his deceased wife Grace in the middle of a field.
The love of his life was previously killed in series 3, leaving Tommy devastated, and many have speculated that Tommy will not be at peace until he is with her again.
"We all want Tommy to be alright, but he needs Grace to be alright. The man said it himself," said one fan, next to screenshots from previous series.
The scenes show Tommy looking at Grace lovingly saying "I need you to be alright. I need you Grace."
If he needs Grace to be alright, it might symbolise that Tommy indeed is going to die and can finally rest after he has been reunited with Grace.
Michael Gray will fail to kill Tommy
Despite Michael threatening to kill Tommy Shelby in what seems to be every single episode of the final series, he has not been able to do much from his jail cell.
One fan said on social media: "Considering the beginning of series 6 started with Michael declaring revenge on Tommy, he sure has done a whole lot of nothing so far."
A second added: "Michael sure does a whole lot of talking about getting revenge on Tommy for someone who has been stuck in a jail cell for the whole season."
However by agreeing to kill Tommy in the penultimate episode, could he finally succeed once he is released? Fans do not think so.
Taking to social media, one fan shared an image of numbers on a wipe board, with the caption: "Me counting how many times Michael said he's going to kill Tommy and failed."
Another shared pictures of Mr Bean looking at his watch, with the caption: "Me waiting for Michael to take his revenge on Tommy."
Others also described Michael's plan to kill Tommy as laughable, with a third adding: "Michael: I will kill Tommy Shelby," next to an image of the actor Chris Evans laughing hysterically.
But will Michael Gray prove viewers wrong? We will have to wait and see.
Tommy is saved by an old acquaintance
One of the most highly anticipated character returns of the final series was Alfie Solomons, played by fan favourite Tom Hardy.
Although fans have only caught a brief glimpse of Alfie this season, as he declared to Tommy that he wanted to write an opera, some have theorised that the character will come out of his cellar and save Tommy from dying.
"Let's go Tommy Alfie Nation," said one fan, while a second added: "Please let Alfie make an appearance in this episode. Such a good character."
Speculation that the character will return during a significant moment has only been further confirmed by photographs that fans have shared online, featuring clippings of TV listings showing that Tom Hardy's character is listed.
The only question is – what role will Alfie Solomons play in what could potentially be Tommy's final hour?
It's not the end for Tommy Shelby
Fans rejoice, as theories have pointed to news that Tommy Shelby might not die in the series six finale after all.
Although it is the ending viewers are expecting, viewers do not want Tommy to die, with one saying: "Manifest it with me. Tommy is going to live forever: say it with me."
However, lots of viewers do not think that series six will be the end for Tommy Shelby, following the news that a Peaky Blinders film is currently in the works and scheduled for release in 2023.
A second fan said: "One last dance. Well at least until the movie comes out lol," while a third added: "There will be a movie to conclude the story. Episode 6 is not the conclusion."
Writer Steven Knight has also said that the Peaky Blinders story will come to its conclusion at the end of World War II in 1945, meaning that the final series is certainly not the end of the story, as current events only take the timeline up to 1936.
With Tommy being told that he only has one year left, he would not live to see the conclusion of his family's story in 1945 when they will finally 'rest' either – suggesting that this might not be the end of his story either.
However with actor Cillian Murphy already slated to appear in another Hollywood blockbuster called Oppenheimer as the title character, could the writers throw a curve ball and take Tommy out of the equation and indeed the film?
Maybe so, but nothing is for certain as the actor could film Oppenheimer as well as a Peaky Blinders film – meaning Tommy could still appear in the spin-off from the series too.
If Tommy does die however, the writers could bring him back in flashback scenes, with writer Steven Knight promising to keep characters such as Aunt Polly in the upcoming film.
Steven Knight has maintained Aunt Polly's presence in voice overs and flashback scenes following the death of actress Helen McCrory in 2021, and said she will always remain a part of Peaky Blinders and the film, saying to Radio Times: "She’s such a fundamental part of what Peaky is; her presence rules."
Whether Tommy will be a part of the film or if this is his final hours, all eyes will certainly be on the series finale tonight.
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