Ada Thorne (née Shelby) is the fourth and only female of the Shelby siblings and the only sibling initially not involved with the Peaky Blinders. By the end of 1924, however, Ada assumes a leading position at the United States branch of Shelby Company Limited, dealing only with legal acquisitions; unlike her brothers back home in Birmingham, England.
She is the widow of known communist, Freddie Thorne, with who she has son, Karl Thorne — named after Karl Marx.
Character History
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BACKGROUND EDIT
Ada is from the criminal Gypsy family the Shelbys. She is the daughter of Arthur Shelby Sr. and the only female of the Shelby siblings. Her father walked out on his five children, and her mother died. The children were raised by their Aunt Polly.
SERIES 1 · 1919 EDIT
Ada and Karl Thorne
Ada is in a secret romantic relationship with known Communist and Thomas's ex-best friend, Freddie Thorne. In the midst of a police raid, Freddie is forced to leave Birmingham. Ada soon discovers that she is pregnant with Freddie's child. Uncertain about her future with Freddie, she heeds Polly's advice and plans to abort the child. However, Freddie shows up at the train platform when Polly and Ada are on their way to Cardiff for the planned abortion. Freddie proposes on the train platform, and they are eventually married.
SERIES 2 · 1922 EDIT
Thomas and Ada at Freddie's Funeral
Following Freddie's death from 'pestilence', Ada has moved to London. Her support for the Communist cause leads to a disapproval of the lifestyle of her family and this results in her self-imposed isolation from the Shelby clan. However, Thomas still pays her visits and looks out for her welfare. Ada accepts his concern but is still critical of his lifestyle.
SERIES 3 · 1924 EDIT
Ada's involvement in the Peaky Blinders somewhat increases throughout 1924. Being bored with her current work, she begins to ask more questions about Peaky business, including asking who the Russians were that attended Tommy's wedding. Ada's interest in these matters mean that Tommy is warned by Father Hughes that she will be killed if he visits her again.
Nearing the end of 1924, Ada's interests in the family business, Shelby Company Limited have grown to such an extent that she takes up place as "Head of Property and Acquisitions" in a US branch of the company — this marks the first moment since she appeared that she has taken an interest in the Shelby family business; whether this be the company or activities of the Peaky Blinders.
Ada and her aunt Polly Gray
SERIES 4 · 1925-1926 EDIT
Ada, her brother Thomas Shelby, her aunt Polly Gray and Shelbys
SERIES 5 · 1929 EDIT
Ada's involvement in the Peaky Blinders and Shelby Company Limited during 1929 is somewhat minimal. She is busy raising Karl, but has began a relationship with Ben Younger, much to Tommy's approval. She does, however, help the family when Michael returns to Birmingham, volunteering to take Gina to her hospital appointments in fear of what may happen if she took a taxi.
Ada's situation becomes increasingly difficult following the death of Younger, leaving her unborn child without a father. She admits to Tommy that she didn't love Ben, but he was a good man who did not know about their unborn child. She attends Shelby and Peaky meetings despite not taking a strong role within either.
Relationships Edit
FREDDIE THORNE EDIT
Freddie and Ada marry
The relationship between Ada and Freddie grew during the events of series 1, where the two became involved in a secret relationship. As a known communist and an ex-friend of Tommy's, Freddie was keen to keep the relationship between the two a secret, fearing an outlash from the Peaky Blinders — Thomas especially.
Following the birth of their child, Karl Thorne, the two open up more about their relationship, and Thomas allows a truce during the night of their child's birth. The relationship becomes strained, however after Freddie is arrested. Believing that Tommy was behind the tip off, the relationship between Ada and Tommy suffers, before Freddie is rescued by Tommy to prove his innocence.
The relationship begins to prosper after Freddie is welcomed back into the society of Birmingham, particularly when he is welcomed by Tommy during his fight with Billy Kimber and the Birmingham Boys. The relationship is short lived, however as Freddie passes away due to pestilence at the beginning of 1922.
THOMAS SHELBY EDIT
Thomas is Ada's older brother and the relationship between the two is one of the strongest out of the two. He is at first unaware of the secret relationship between Ada and Freddie, however becomes very concerned when Polly reveals that Ada is pregnant, questioning who the father is. Figuring out that the father is Freddie, Tommy threatens him, not believing him to be enough for Ada. However Thomas understands the importance of love and allows a truce during the birth of their son, allowing Freddie to attend.
Tensions rise between the two when Freddie is arrested on a tip off to the police during the birth night. Ada firmly believes this to be Thomas' fault, however he rightfully denies revealing Freddie's location to the police. Wanting to prove himself to Ada, he authorises the Peaky Blinders to break Freddie out of prison during his transit to a more secure facility; repairing the relationship between Ada and himself.
During series 4 she seems to be Tom's right arm in doing the legal part of his bussiness by carring out tasks gave by him. In series 5, their relationship is shown to be stronger as she acts as his confidant and conselour on matters of the heart.
AUNT POLLY EDIT
Polly is Ada's aunt and acts as a close maternal figure throughout her life, including during her relationship with Freddie. Polly becomes aware of the secret relationship and aids Ada in hiding it from her brothers, including when Ada becomes pregnant with Freddie's child. Polly urges the two to leave Birmingham behind, gifting them money from the Peaky Blinders; however Freddie refuses to take the money, much to Ada's dismay.
After the birth of Karl, Polly welcomes Ada and Karl into the Shelby family business and the Peaky Blinders as a whole, much to Ada's surprise.
Quotes Edit
- "I came back for love. And common sense."
- "Tommy Shelby is going to stop the revolution with his cock."
- "Oi! I'm a Shelby too, you know. Put my fucking film back on!""
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