Peaky Blinders wrote out one of its most dynamic characters in series four's finale... but things could have played out very differently.

Warning: spoilers for the episode follow!

The magnetic Alfie Solomons (played by Tom Hardy) was shot dead by Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) after it transpired he'd betrayed his former ally to the mobster Luca Changretta (Adrien Brody).

As it turns out, Alfie's days were numbered anyway, as he'd been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

However, according to Peaky Blinders actor Paul Anderson – who plays Arthur Shelby – there was some "debate" over Alfie's fate, since Hardy was keen to continue playing the eccentric gang leader.

Robert Viglasky BBC

"I didn't know that was coming," Anderson told Digital Spy. "We were unsure... there was a whole thing about whether or not Alfie would live or die, or get shot or not. It was up for debate and discussion.

"I know that Tom didn't want to go. So there was this whole thing."

In the event, series creator / writer Steven Knight went through with executing Alfie, much to the dismay of Peaky Blinders fans.

BBC/Caryn Mandabach/Robert Viglasky

Still, with the upcoming fifth series possibly being the show's last, time is running out for all of our favourites, including Arthur.

With Alfie following John Shelby to the grave, it's possible we could be facing more heartbreaking casualties in the next series, which is expected to land on BBC Two in 2019. *gulp*

Peaky Blinders series 4 is now available to buy on DVD and Blu-ray here.

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