Peaky Blinders series four: viewers left 'horrified' by explosive first episode

The premiere ended with a dramatic cliffhanger 
Gripping: Peaky Blinders returned to BBC Two for its fourth series
BBC/Caryn Mandabach/Robert Viglasky
Aime Grant Cumberbatch16 November 2017

Peaky Blinders fans were equal parts delighted and distraught as the gangland drama returned to screens after a year’s wait, but ended on an agonising cliffhanger.

Series four of the BBC Two show kicked off on Wednesday with the threat of a multiple hanging and, after an hour of gruesome drama, finished with the shooting of Michael Gray (Finn Cole) and John Shelby (Joe Cole) on the doorstep on Christmas morning.

Viewers who tuned in to see Cillian Murphy reprise his role as ruthless ringleader Tommy Shelby, alongside Helen McCrory as Polly Gray, in Steven Knight's Birmingham-based series, said the bloody beginning was shocking, but well worth the wait.

One devastated fan tweeted: "How could you do this..." and another simply wrote: "Noooooooooooo!"

"OMG!!!Had a feeling it might be John but not Michael. What a start," added another, while one person pleaded: "Nah sorry but that ending can’t be true… got to be someone dreaming or something".

Meanwhile, one torn viewer asked: "How could you do this to us? Gutted but wow what a show."

Among other enthralled fans, one tweeted: "What a start!!! #PeakyBlinders the best thing on TV by miles," and another added hopefully: "Can we have episode 2 tomorrow?"

"Peaky Blinders never lets you down does it, best series around" posted another.

With additional reporting from Press Association.

Peaky Blinders: Series 4 - In pictures

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The drama continues on Wednesday, November 16 at 9pm on BBC Two.

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