Irish actor Cillian Murphy has opened up about his profound connection to the character of Tommy Shelby, reflecting on an extraordinary thirteen-year journey portraying the iconic gangster in the acclaimed crime drama Peaky Blinders. The Cork-born star, who led the series for nearly a decade, described the role as one he will "never experience again," emphasizing the unique depth and personal evolution that came with such a long-running commitment.
A Legacy of Pride and Unparalleled Experience
Speaking at a recent press conference, the 49-year-old actor conveyed immense pride in the show's enduring legacy and widespread popularity. "I feel really, really proud of the work. It’s nuts that it’s been so long. The end of 2012 is when we shot the original series," Murphy stated. "So many people have watched it, and it’s become so beloved, so I just feel immensely proud of it."
He elaborated on the unparalleled experience of aging alongside a character over more than a decade, noting the luxury of accumulated research and lived-in performance. "I think the luxury of having played Tommy Shelby for so long is that all the research is kind of done, you know? You’ve got like 13 years there. You’ve lived it alongside him, and also you’ve kind of aged alongside him. It’s kind of unique. I’ll never experience that again, and it’s really unusual and gratifying to have that opportunity to play a character like that," Murphy explained.
The Immortal Man: A Father-Son Story Set in Wartime
While the original television series concluded in 2022, Murphy is set to reprise his role in the forthcoming spin-off film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. The film will see Tommy Shelby drawn back from self-imposed exile amidst the turmoil of the Second World War, delving into his complex relationship with his abandoned illegitimate son, Erasmus "Duke" Shelby, played by fellow Irish actor Barry Keoghan.
Murphy highlighted the necessity of a compelling narrative to justify the film's creation, stating, "In order for us to conclude the series with a film, it needed to justify itself. Ultimately, that comes down to the script." He added, "The main sort of thematic drive of the show has always been family, if we continued with that and made it a father and son story and introduced Duke in that manner then we knew we were on the right track – and off we went."
Tommy Shelby's Personal Struggles and Wartime Redemption
The actor offered insight into Tommy's state at the beginning of The Immortal Man, noting his withdrawal from the world and internal conflicts. Murphy highlighted how the wartime setting forces the character to confront his core beliefs and moral compass. "What do you actually believe in? What do you actually stand for, aside from illegal bookmaking and racketeering and making money and buying houses and abandoning children and abandoning wives, what do you actually stand for? And then he figures it out. And I think he begins – towards the end of the film – to really realise what he actually stands for," Murphy revealed.
The original Peaky Blinders television drama, which chronicled the Birmingham-based crime family, first premiered on the BBC in 2013. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is scheduled for release on Netflix from March 20, 2026, marking a new chapter in the beloved saga that has captivated audiences worldwide.
