Oscar winner Cillian Murphy is stepping back into the iconic flat cap for Netflix's highly anticipated film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, a feature-length continuation of the beloved crime saga. In a new interview, Murphy and co-star Barry Keoghan peeled back the curtain on the project, revealing key details about Tommy Shelby's state of mind and the unique casting story that brought them together as on-screen father and son.
Tommy Shelby's Legacy in Ink
Set seven years after the series finale, the film finds a world-weary Tommy Shelby in self-imposed exile, grappling with the ghosts of his past as World War II rages. A central element of his journey is a book he is writing, a detail Murphy explored in depth. "I think it's a natural reaction to reaching a certain stage in your life," Murphy explained. "For the first time, he's stopped moving forward. All the noise, the trauma, the pain, the guilt comes rushing back in. Writing it is a form of self-therapy." He suggested the manuscript could hold meaning for Tommy's sons, potentially leaving the door open for future stories in the Peaky Blinders universe.
A Father's Day Text Seals the Deal
The interview also uncovered the charmingly modern way Keoghan landed the role of Duke Shelby. Murphy revealed he simply sent a text to the Oscar-nominated actor on Father's Day, asking if he'd like to play Tommy's son. "That's literally how it went," Keoghan confirmed with a laugh, noting he was "over the moon" to receive the offer. Murphy stated Keoghan was the unanimous first choice, a decision made easier by their previous collaboration on Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk.
The cast for this cinematic expansion is stacked with talent, including Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, Sophie Rundle, and Stephen Graham. Directed by Tom Harper from a script by series creator Steven Knight, the film promises to deliver the gritty drama and complex characters fans adore.
Looking Beyond Birmingham
While focused on the Peaky Blinders film, the conversation also touched on the actors' future projects. Murphy confirmed his next film will be with Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle. Keoghan discussed his experience portraying Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes' upcoming Beatles film series, offering a glimpse at his work with cinematographer Greig Fraser.
As for whether this is truly the end for Tommy Shelby, Murphy remained philosophical. He admitted the final day of filming was more about catching a train than sentimentality, but emphasized that a film isn't finished until an audience sees it. "They send that response back to the filmmakers," he noted, leaving the character's ultimate fate intertwined with viewer reaction. For fans eager to catch up before the film drops, you can revisit Tommy Shelby's Return: Essential Peaky Blinders Moments Before The Immortal Man Hits Netflix.
The film's arrival on Netflix is set to be a major event, following in the footsteps of other successful adaptations like Netflix's 'Assassin's Creed' Series Breaks From Games, Sets Story in Ancient Rome. With a legendary performance from Murphy and a stellar new addition in Keoghan, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man aims to add a compelling final chapter—or perhaps a new beginning—to a modern television classic.
