Sedgley Actor Celebrates Dream Role in Peaky Blinders Film
A young actor from the Black Country has described his experience appearing in the new Peaky Blinders movie The Immortal Man as a "dream come true." Spencer Elcock, aged 23 and originally from Sedgley, played one of the Peaky Blinders gang members in the film, which premiered in cinemas in March and is now available for streaming on Netflix.
From Local Roots to the Big Screen
Spencer, who currently resides in Seisdon, expressed his excitement about being part of the iconic franchise. "It's been a dream come true," he said. "Growing up in the Black Country and seeing all the locations on screen, watching actors build their careers around Peaky Blinders, to actually be a part of it and act alongside them was incredible."
He added that the local community has been overwhelmingly supportive. "People have been messaging me left, right and centre, saying they saw my name in the credits or spotted me in a scene. Once you tell one person, it feels like the whole West Midlands knows and has your back."
Filming in the Heart of the West Midlands
The Immortal Man continues the legacy of the original TV series, which famously put the West Midlands on the global map. The film was shot at various locations across the region, including:
- The Black Country Living Museum
- Bumble Hole Nature Reserve in Netherton
- Canals in Birmingham city centre
- New studio facilities in Digbeth
Spencer appears approximately 15 minutes into the film and features in several scenes throughout, including sequences at Charlie's yard, on barges along the canals, and during the climactic final scene.
Working with Award-Winning Talent
The young actor shared his experiences working alongside established stars like Oscar winner Cilian Murphy and Emmy winner Stephen Graham. "Despite their fame and accolades, they're lovely people to be around," Spencer revealed. "They constantly want to talk to you, even though they must speak to thousands of people daily. They are such masters of their craft."
Reflecting on his own career trajectory, Spencer noted: "I'm just at the start of my career, but to be surrounded by those who have achieved so much is amazing. I'm very fortunate."
A Special Screening Celebration
Spencer's girlfriend, Neve McCormick, also an actor from Lichfield, organized a special screening of The Immortal Man for family, friends, and fellow actors at The Royal Cinema in Sutton Coldfield in March. Neve described the event as a "lovely celebration" of all the work that went into the film.
"There were a few other Peaky Blinders actors he worked closely with, though not all could make it," Neve explained. "I was in conversation with Packy Lee, who played Johnny Dogs, who was absolutely lovely. He couldn't attend but wished all the actors a good evening."
An Unexpected Career Path
Despite his current success, Spencer admitted he didn't always plan to become an actor. "When I was in secondary school and college, I never thought this would be my direction," he said. "But looking back, I've always been involved in production and performance. It was my college teacher who recognized my talent and encouraged me."
This encouragement led Spencer to secure a place at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, where he landed his role in The Immortal Man during his third year. Now graduated, he plans to move to London to be closer to the acting industry.
Looking to the Future
Spencer's next project is an upcoming biopic about German rock band Scorpions titled The Wind Of Change, scheduled for release next year. In the film, he plays real-life drummer Wolfgang. The cast also includes Alexander Dreymon, known for his role as Uhtred of Bebbanburg in The Last Kingdom.
Neve expressed her pride in Spencer's achievements: "I'd just like to say how proud I am and how hard he worked through university to graduate as an actor. Now we're seeing the start of his career, and it's just going to get better from here."
