Cillian Murphy has shared new details about returning as Tommy Shelby in Netflix’s upcoming Peaky Blinders film, offering fans a glimpse of what to expect from the long-awaited continuation of the hit series.
The Oscar-winning actor will reprise his role in the film The Immortal Man, which is set several years after the events of the television series finale.
In a recent interview with The Independent, Murphy described the intense preparation required to step back into the role that helped define his career.
“There comes a point where the lines between myself and Tommy start to blur,” Murphy said. “It’s not an instant transformation, but when it happens, it’s incredibly fulfilling.”
Murphy said returning to the character involves both physical and psychological preparation as he reconnects with the complex personality of Tommy Shelby.
The upcoming film will portray Shelby six years after the series ended, showing him living in isolation on his country estate while dealing with grief and the lingering consequences of his past.
Despite the story continuing the television narrative, Murphy said the movie was designed to be accessible even for viewers unfamiliar with the show.
“The beauty of this film is that it stands on its own,” he explained. “You don’t need to have seen the series to appreciate the story.”
Murphy also reflected on the difference between storytelling in television and film.
“A TV series is like a novel,” he said. “A film is more like a short story. You need a clear beginning, middle and end where everything ties together.”
The project comes after Murphy’s career reached new heights following his Academy Award win for Best Actor in 2024 for his role in Oppenheimer.
Despite the global recognition, the Irish actor said the experience hasn’t fundamentally changed him.
“It was a surreal, almost hallucinatory experience,” Murphy said of the Oscar win. “But at my core, my tastes and values haven’t changed.”
Netflix has not yet announced an official release date for The Immortal Man, but anticipation remains high as fans wait to see Tommy Shelby return to the screen in what could be one of the streaming platform’s most anticipated film releases.
