Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Viewers Puzzled Over New Face of Key Character
Barry Keoghan has taken over the role of Duke Shelby in the new Peaky Blinders film, leaving fans keen to understand the recast from original actor Conrad Khan. Following much anticipation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man has hit select cinemas, featuring a stellar cast that includes Cillian Murphy returning as Tommy Shelby.
Fans Express Confusion Over Character Change
Moviegoers are planning to see the film this weekend, after some expressed worries about whether they needed to watch the TV series beforehand. The film includes a significant time leap, transporting audiences to 1940s Birmingham amid the Second World War, with gangster Tommy Shelby forced out of retirement. However, many Peaky Blinders followers are eager to understand why the character of Duke Shelby was recast and is now portrayed by Saltburn star Barry Keoghan.
Who Is Duke Shelby in the Peaky Blinders Universe?
Duke Shelby is Tommy's son, born from his brief affair with a Romani woman named Zelda in 1914, just before he went off to serve in the First World War. Tommy only discovered Duke through John Shelby's wife Esme at a later stage. Esme disclosed that Tommy had already enlisted in the army and departed for France when Zelda realised she was expecting, with her father threatening to murder the gangster.
Esme united Tommy and Duke, revealing his mother had died and that the boy, although a thief, aspired for more in life. Tommy brought his son into the fold, offering Esme gold in return. Despite initial reluctance, Duke joined the Shelbys and became part of the business. Tommy also informed Duke that his dark skills were required, while his other son Charles Shelby, from his marriage to Grace Shelby, would participate in the light aspect of Tommy's enterprise.
After Tommy vanished in 1934, his son Duke assumed control of the Peaky Blinders, maintaining the gang's brutality as it was in 1919. But Duke's transformation of the family enterprise prompted Tommy to leave retirement and revert to his previous lifestyle.
Why Was Conrad Khan Replaced as Duke Shelby?
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight discussed the actor change from the BBC TV series to the film. He told Entertainment Weekly: I never leap on board when people start saying about an actor, 'Oh my God, he's got this stillness.' You start using all these words about an actor. But with him, it's all true.
Knight added: I wanted him to be the son from the beginning, and when we knew we got him, he took it to another level. Who he is in real life is perfect for this. He's just so good. From Knight's comments, it seems the portrayal of Duke in The Immortal Man differs from that in the TV show. The recasting appears to be due to both the time-jump and the character of Duke evolving over the years, requiring a different actor to capture his matured persona.
