Paul Anderson, the Peaky Blinders star, was spotted in London, looking quite different from his character Arthur Shelby, just a few months after pleading guilty to drug possession charges involving cocaine and amphetamines. The actor was seen sporting a white fleece coat over a leopard print hoodie, jeans, and sneakers, and was coming out of a bakery.
Anderson was with a friend and a 17-month-old baby when police found drugs and a pipe used for smoking. He admitted to possessing other drugs like amphetamines and prescribed substances during his court appearance in January.
This whole situation not only jeopardizes Paul and his companions’ lives but also the future of the Peaky Blinders series. Regarding Paul’s situation, it’s unclear what will happen next. Daily Mail reported that the series creators mentioned it would be challenging to continue production without such a crucial character, but it would be difficult for him to maintain his role as if nothing had happened. Another option is that everything proceeds as usual, but we’ll know more later as the script is still in progress, and anything could happen.
What Happened With Paul Anderson?
According to Daily Mail, Paul Anderson was at a pub in Hampstead when a drinker told the manager that after the star used the bathroom, he smelled crack cocaine fumes. The manager called the police, who found Anderson intoxicated, alongside a young man and a 17-month-old baby. Anderson was taken to the police station where they found cocaine, a brown powder believed to be amphetamines, diazepam, and pregabalin. He pleaded guilty to the four drug charges during the hearing. Anderson only spoke to enter the guilty pleas and confirm his identity and address at a £1.2 million Mews property in northwest London.
Some fans defended the actor, saying it’s impossible for Paul not to fully immerse himself in his role, as it’s common to see his character, Arthur, using illicit substances during the series. Ms. MacFarlane insisted Anderson, who was fined a total of £1,345, had not been smoking crack cocaine but conceded, ‘He has found himself in an unfortunate position and should have had the strength to say no.’
