Benjamin Zephaniah, Acclaimed Poet and Peaky Blinders Actor, Dead at 65

Poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who also acted on shows including Peaky Blinders, died on Thursday, eight weeks after getting diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was 65.

“It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of our beloved husband, son and brother in the early hours of this morning the 7th December 2023,” reads a post shared to Zephaniah’s Instagram account. “Benjamin’s wife was by his side throughout and was with him when he passed. We shared him with the world and we know many will be shocked and saddened by this news. Benjamin was a true pioneer and innovator, he gave the world so much. Through an amazing career including a huge body of poems, literature, music, television and radio, Benjamin leaves us with a joyful and fantastic legacy.”

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Though Zephaniah authored many different works throughout his career, he was best known for his poetry, which frequently commented on politics and societal issues. He published a dozen collections of poetry over the years, beginning with Pen Rhythm in 1980. He also wrote a number of novels and children’s books, including Face, Refugee Boy, We Are Britain and J Is For Jamaica, as well as the 2018 memoir The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah.

On the small screen, Zephaniah appeared in 14 episodes of Peaky Blinders as Jeremiah Jesus, a Jamaican preacher and friend of Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby. He also popped up in episodes of EastEnders, The Bill and Zen Motoring.

“Benjamin was a truly gifted and beautiful human being — a generational poet, writer, musician and activist. A proud Brummie and a Peaky Blinder,” Murphy said in a statement obtained by our sister site Deadline. “I’m so saddened by this news. RIP.”

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