Jack Nelson is one of the two main antagonists in Season 6 (alongside Oswald Mosley). He is an Irish-American gangster with ties to high-level politicians including President Roosevelt and a fascist sympathizer. He is also the uncle of Gina Gray and the great-uncle of Laurence Gray.
Biography[]
Background[]
His family were Irish immigrants. His rise to power is described as being very similar to Thomas Shelby, thus it is reasonable to assume he grew up in a poor and rough environment. The first man he killed was a priest. He eventually became a very powerful gangster, being on the level of those as the Peaky Blinders. He also stated to be religious and that he disliked how the Catholics were treated in America. He is respected by Thomas due to him climbing to the top by himself, much like Thomas himself. Gina Gray is his favorite niece. He is an Irish-Catholic with fascist allegiances.
Series 6 · 1934[]
Michael Gray is working for Jack. Jack is planning on buying the United States import licenses to all the best Scotch and Irish whisky distilleries. He's currently traveling to London to make the required deals. He is joined by his wife, mistress, President Roosevelt's son, and Gina. Jack is in league with the IRA. They are both engaged in an opium deal brokered through Thomas. Jack violently forces Billy Grade into acting as his informant on the Peaky Blinders so that he can have Arthur Shelby killed. He most likely got Billy's name from Laura McKee, who as a leader in the IRA, is also part of the opium deal. The IRA will kill Arthur as a favor for Jack in exchange for guns.
Michael and Thomas meet on Miquelon Island so Thomas can supposedly collect $5 million for a heroin shipment for Jack.
Trivia[]
- While going to force Billy Grade into being his inside man, Jack whistles the song "The Black Velvet Band."