The world of Birmingham’s most notorious crime family is set to expand, with the highly anticipated film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man on the horizon, signalling a significant new chapter for fans of the acclaimed historical drama. Since its debut in 2013, Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby, the charismatic and ruthless gang leader, has cemented his place as one of television’s most iconic figures.
While the sixth season, released in 2022, was initially slated as the series’ swansong, the announcement of a feature film has been accompanied by news of a forthcoming sequel series. However, a key detail has emerged: Cillian Murphy is understood to be making his final appearance as Tommy Shelby in The Immortal Man, meaning the subsequent television series will likely forge ahead without its central patriarch.
Murphy himself has spoken about the emotional weight of filming his last scenes as the complex character. Reflecting on the experience with Empire magazine, he shared, “I don’t think I’m going to be able to process it or think about it until the film comes out, because I believe that a film isn’t finished until people look at it.”
The upcoming sequel series, which Murphy will executive produce alongside Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is set to transport viewers back to Birmingham in 1953. The film’s synopsis paints a vivid picture of a city rebuilding from the ashes of World War II, where the race to control its massive reconstruction project ignites a brutal, almost mythical, contest. Birmingham is described as a place of “unprecedented opportunity and danger,” with the Shelby family positioned “right at its blood-soaked heart.”
Steven Knight has teased that the reins of the narrative will be passed to “the new generation of Shelbys,” promising “a hell of a ride” in the new show, according to Deadline. This shift in focus, while generating considerable excitement for future Peaky Blinders-adjacent stories, also raises questions about the series’ identity without Tommy Shelby at the helm.
Fan Reactions: A Divided House
The prospect of a Peaky Blinders universe continuing without its iconic leader has sparked a lively debate among fans. We’ve canvassed opinions on whether the new TV show, sans Cillian Murphy, will capture the magic of the original and if audiences will give it a chance.
“It Won’t Be the Same – But I’ll Be Watching”
Many acknowledge that replicating the original’s unique appeal is an impossible task. The sentiment is that Peaky Blinders was a singular phenomenon, and a direct imitation with new characters is unlikely to succeed.
However, a significant portion of the fanbase retains faith in the creative team, particularly Steven Knight, who remains the driving force behind the narrative. Reader Lisa Rua expressed this optimism, stating, “If Steven Knight’s the writer, it’ll be epic. Tommy’s generation is past, Duke’s is future.” This refers to Barry Keoghan’s new character, Duke, who is revealed to be Tommy’s estranged son and is set to feature prominently in the upcoming film.
Grant McDonald and Michaela Harris echoed the sentiment that while it “won’t be the same,” they are still keen to see what unfolds. Keith Alexander praised the show’s “brilliant” writing, suggesting that the new story simply “needs some great characters.” Paul Wood also confirmed his intention to watch, provided the narrative proves compelling.
“Without Tommy Shelby, It’s Not Peaky Blinders”
Conversely, a staunch contingent of dedicated fans holds a firm line: without Tommy Shelby, it simply isn’t Peaky Blinders.
Reader Joseph O Brien articulated this viewpoint forcefully: “Without Tom, further Polly, it’s not Peaky Blinders. It’s something else.” This sentiment pays tribute to the late Helen McCrory’s unforgettable portrayal of matriarch Polly Gray.
David Bergin believes that remakes rarely succeed and is skeptical of the new show’s potential without the original cast, particularly Cillian Murphy. Jonathan Harpur concurred, stating, “I’m sorry but Cillian Murphy made Peaky Blinders the hit it was so I can’t see it doing as well without him.” Diane Cromie suggested that the period drama should have been allowed to conclude where it ended. The question remains whether these fans will uphold their boycott or succumb to their curiosity.
“I’d Like to Give It a Chance”
A third group of fans finds themselves in a state of cautious anticipation. While they harbour reservations about a new generation of characters taking the spotlight, they are nonetheless willing to give the sequel series a fair hearing.
Steve James plans to “give it an episode to decide,” while Kyle Wakeling stated, “I’d still like to see it and give it a chance.” Clare Barton admitted she will watch but anticipates feeling a sense of sadness due to the absence of Tommy and his older brother, Arthur Shelby, played by Paul Anderson. The departure of Arthur has also been a point of contention for several fans.
It’s worth noting that Arthur Shelby will also not be appearing in the film The Immortal Man. Paul Anderson recently shared his thoughts on his absence from the movie, telling LADbible that while he found it “amazing,” he was “slightly apprehensive.” He added, “We made a good show, we ain’t made enough seasons – I think we should’ve just done a couple more seasons. I don’t see a reason to do a film to be honest.” Anderson also hinted that audiences will see Arthur “in a different light” in the upcoming film.
Peaky Blinders is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is now in cinemas and will be available for streaming exclusively on Netflix from March 20.
