Cillian Murphy Reflects on Unforgettable Peaky Blinders Role
Cillian Murphy has declared that he will never experience a role quite like Tommy Shelby in the BBC series Peaky Blinders again. The Irish actor made these heartfelt remarks during a recent press conference, as he looked back on over a decade of portraying the iconic Brummie gangster. The premiere of the new film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, has prompted Murphy to reminisce about his long-standing connection to the character.
A Thirteen-Year Journey with Tommy Shelby
Murphy has been playing the role of Tommy Shelby for an impressive thirteen years on television, with the original series concluding in 2022. Now, he returns to the character in the upcoming film, which sees Shelby emerging from self-imposed exile amidst the turmoil of the Second World War. The 49-year-old actor expressed immense pride in his work, noting that it feels nuts that so much time has passed since they first shot the series in late 2012.
So many people have watched it, and it has become so beloved, so I feel immensely proud of it, Murphy stated. He highlighted the unique luxury of having played Shelby for such an extended period, explaining that all the research was essentially done over those years. You have lived it alongside him, and also you have kind of aged alongside him. It is kind of unique. I will never experience that again, and it is really unusual and gratifying to have that opportunity to play a character like that, he added.
New Film Explores Family Dynamics
The upcoming film will delve into the complex relationship between Tommy Shelby and his illegitimate son, Erasmus Duke Shelby, portrayed by Irish actor Barry Keoghan. Murphy emphasized that for the series to conclude with a film, it needed to justify itself through a strong script. The main sort of thematic drive of the show has always been family, he explained. 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.
Speaking about his character's arc in the film, Murphy described Shelby as withdrawn from the world and dealing with personal issues. However, setting the film against the backdrop of war constantly tests his values. 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, Murphy elaborated. He noted that towards the end of the film, Shelby begins to truly realize what he stands for.
Film Release Details
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is set to be available on Netflix starting March 20. This release marks a significant moment for fans of the series, offering a cinematic conclusion to the story of the Birmingham-based crime gang. Murphy's reflections underscore the deep impact this role has had on his career, making it a standout chapter in his acting journey.
