The hit BBC show Peaky Blinders is full of characters delivering great lines but it's the Alfie Solomons quotes that stand out from the crowd. Few characters are as iconic as Alfie even though he's not someone who appears in every episode. Thanks to the lauded performance of Tom Hardy, Alfie is a Peaky Blinders character who steals nearly every scene he's involved in.
While the critically acclaimed writing of Peaky Blinders has a big part in the success, Hardy's distinct and unique dialect adds a lot to the best Alfie Solomons quotes. His delivery is top-notch and makes even the simplest of lines into something memorable. Tommy, Arthur, Polly, and the rest of the gang offer up some truly great line reads but Alfie Solomons is in a league of his own.
"Fill It Out, F*** Off."
Season 2, Episode 3
There is something about Alfie Solomons that makes the character so incredibly funny, even when it seems unintentional. Tom Hardy's delivery and performances hugely aid this. He is incredible comic relief, helping make him a fan-favorite character. One such moment of comedy comes in the character's second episode as he signs off on Tommy Shelby's newly recruited workforce to take up jobs in his bakery. He hands them their slip, and to each one of the men casually slips in, "Fill it out, f*** off." The character elevates what sounds like an initially mundane scene to a funny one that ironically displays Alfie's no-nonsense presence.
"Arthur. Arthur. Shalom, Arthur, Shalom."
Season 3, Episode 5
A bit of a trend in Peaky Blinders is Alfie betraying Tommy, and the two eventually reconciling for one business reason or another. At the very least, it keeps Alfie in the show entertaining audiences. That includes the moment after Alfie ties up Arthur and frames him for the murder of Billy Kitchen, whom Alfie just shot in the head. When Tommy and Alfie do makeup, Arthur is forced to be reunited with Alfie, and the sheer shock and fear on Arthur's face is hilarious as he tries to leave the room swiftly. Alfie's casual greeting of "Shalom" to the Shelby brother makes it even more of a standout scene, as he acts like he never nearly got Arthur killed.
"Life Is So Much Easier To Deal With When You Are Dead."
Season 5, Episode 6
At the end of season 4, after once again betraying Tommy and nearly getting everybody killed at the hands of the Changrettas, Alfie Solomons finds himself at Margate, where he is met by Tommy, who shoots him in the face. At that point, his fate was unknown, although he looked to be dead. It was revealed that Alfie was alive and he exclaimed that life is easier that way and that he enjoys his life in Margate. He does make a point that ship-watching is less stressful than assassinating MPs, which is ambitious and overzealous even by Tommy's standards. The scene between the two is great, and this quote promises big things.
"Tommy, When A P**ey Walks In, With Hair Like That, You Have To Ask Yourself Have I Made A Mistake."
Season 4, Episode 4
Some of Alfie's best scenes come when he meets characters other than Tommy Shelby. His being unafraid of everyone he meets, combined with the fact he is a bit of a loose cannon, makes it hilarious when he encounters other key characters. One such funny encounter came when Tommy introduced Alfie and his fighter to Aberama Gold and his son. This insulting quote is hilarious. Alfie certainly was not the first to notice Aberama's hair after all. The ensuing conversation of Aberama inquiring who exactly Alfie is, is also great, especially with Alfie's "Who am I?"
"I Know What I Know, You Know? If You Don't Know, Then You Don't F***ing Know, Do Ya?"
Season 2, Episode 4
Alfie Solomons, as an alcohol distiller and distributor, is in London and in a war with fellow crime boss Darby Sabini at the time of season 2 of the show, and the two eventually have a meeting regarding peace between themselves and war against the Peaky Blinders. Sabini asks Solomons if he knew about various things related to the Peaky Blinders' actions in London, prompting this fantastic, impatient response from the intelligent yet slightly deranged Solomons. Alfie's continual impatience with Sabini is great, and this is one of the character's best scenes in season 2.
"It Was F***ing Biblical Mate."
Season 2, Episode 4
Peaky Blinders has a handful of iconic quotes beloved and constantly remembered by fans of the show, such as "By order of the Peaky f***in' Blinders." and "I nearly got, f***ing everything." Alfie has several of these kinds of quotes, including one in a sit-down with Tommy. Alfie describes taking a nail and hammering it up to someone's nose and exclaims that "It was f***ing biblical mate." It's one of the best, funniest, and most well-remembered lines to come out of the show.
"Right, Well, You Will Have To Add Another Tonne Onto Your Bill For Being A C*** Mate. All Right?"
Season 4, Episode 5
Another classic character meeting scene in Peaky Blinders comes when Alfie meets main season 4 antagonist Luca Changretta, the catalyst for Alfie's most recent betrayal of Tommy that incited the latter to shoot Alfie in the face. At this meeting, despite being surrounded by the Italians, Alfie is unwavering and not fearful, happily insulting and taunting Luca. When Luca insults Jewish people, Tommy adds "another tonne" onto his bill to help him reach Tommy. It is a hilarious moment that highlights the fearlessness of Alfie, which is further demonstrated when he calls Luca a "w*p" and adds more onto his bill.
"Intelligence Is A Very Valuable Thing, Innit, My Friend? And It Usually Comes Far Too F***ing Late."
Season 2, Episode 2
The iconic debut of Alfie Solomons Peaky Blinders season 2 is a fantastic one, with the first scenes meeting with Tommy proving how great of an addition the character would be to the show. While Tommy tries to convince Alfie to allow his men to help in his war against Sabini, Alfie makes this point about intelligence and pulls a gun on Shelby, which clearly scares him. The whole scene is important for their future, elevating this quote even more, with it already being a great piece of wisdom from Alfie, brilliantly delivered by Tom Hardy.
"He'll Wake Up. Granted, He Won't Have Any Teeth Left, But He Will Be A Wiser Man For It."
Season 2, Episode 3
Alfie may bring some great comic relief to the show with his eccentric, eclectic personality, but he is also a threat. One of the best displays of this is when he gives a speech to Tommy's men who have come to work for him. One of the men makes a joke that prompts Alfie to walk over to him and bash the person next to him with a cane, imparting this quote of wisdom to the joker. Alfie begins shouting at the rest of the men, and they genuinely look to fear him.
"...What F***ing Line Am I Supposed To Have Crossed?!..."
Season 3, Episode 6
Tommy Shelby is the main character of Peaky Blinders and so gets to be front and center in most of the show's iconic scenes, such as his near-death at the end of season 2. That said, this scene is stolen by Alfie. Tommy faces off with Alfie and plans to kill him for his role in Father Hughes' kidnapping of Charlie Shelby. Alfie then lets out perhaps the show's best monologue with a range of emotions that truly showcases fantastic writing as well as incredible acting. The way Alfie berates Tommy for his hypocrisy genuinely makes the audience think about whether or not Tommy is justified in his anger towards Alfie.