Barry Keoghan Channels Personal Father Relationship into Peaky Blinders Film Role
Barry Keoghan is set to make his highly anticipated debut in the Peaky Blinders universe with the upcoming Netflix film The Immortal Man, which marks the return of the iconic character Tommy Shelby. This new cinematic spin-off from the acclaimed television series, which concluded in 2022, features Keoghan in the pivotal role of Erasmus "Duke" Shelby, the illegitimate son abandoned by the notorious gang leader.
Drawing from Real-Life Experiences
In a recent press conference, the 33-year-old actor opened up about how he drew inspiration from his own personal history to shape his performance. Keoghan candidly discussed his challenging childhood, during which he and his brother were placed in separate foster homes due to their mother's struggles with drug addiction, which ultimately led to her passing.
He explained that the "absent" dynamic between his character, Duke, and his on-screen father, Tommy Shelby, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, resonated deeply with his own relationship with his real father. "It was the relationship, for me, and it was the absence I leaned into, and the experience I have in some similar ways to my absence of my dad, and the echoes I’ve heard of him and the kind of figure I’ve made him to be," Keoghan revealed.
Humanizing the Character
Keoghan emphasized that this personal connection helped him bring a sense of humanity and vulnerability to the character of Duke. "I felt that was… a humanity. It sort of humanises Duke for me to show those vulnerabilities," he said. He described Duke as an "absolute livewire" whose violent actions are "all reactions, they’re all cries for help", though he was careful not to justify every behavior.
The actor further elaborated on the primal instincts driving the character, noting, "At the end of the day, there’s an animalistic thing of the cub looking for its dad. That’s what I brought it back to when (Tommy) is finally there. This behaviour he does when he’s not there, emulating him and trying to be like him from what he’s heard, and trying to put it on to when he is with him."
Film Synopsis and Release Details
The Immortal Man continues the gritty saga of the violent Birmingham-based crime gang, the Peaky Blinders, with Tommy Shelby being drawn back from his self-imposed exile amidst the turmoil of the Second World War. Keoghan expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "It’s a real thing, stepping into play Tommy Shelby’s son. Being a big fan of the show and big fan of Cillian, I wanted to be part of it and get my teeth into it."
The film is scheduled to premiere on Netflix starting March 20, offering fans a new chapter in the beloved series' legacy.
