Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy is set to reprise his role as gang leader Tommy Shelby in the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie, as confirmed by writer and director Steven Knight. Knight recently disclosed in an interview with Birmingham World that Murphy will return as the former head of the Peaky Blinders, dispelling any doubts about the actor's involvement in the film.
The movie, scheduled to commence filming in September in Digbeth, will see Murphy back in action following his Oscar-winning performance in Christopher Nolan's biopic, Oppenheimer, where he portrayed J. Robert Oppenheimer, the renowned American physicist.
Knight commended Murphy's talent and character, emphasizing that the actor's Oscar win was well-deserved. He praised Murphy's professionalism on set, highlighting his leadership qualities and straightforward demeanor.
Peaky Blinders, which premiered in 2013, follows Murphy's character Tommy Shelby, the formidable leader of the Peaky Blinders gang in 1919 Birmingham. The series concluded with its sixth season in 2022, hinting at Tommy's presumed demise as he rode off into the sunset.
Initially, it was speculated that the Peaky Blinders movie would shift focus away from Tommy Shelby. However, with Murphy's return confirmed, audiences can anticipate Tommy being drawn back into the criminal underworld.
While specific plot details for the movie remain undisclosed, Knight revealed that it will explore a new generation of characters introduced in the sixth season. The film is expected to continue the family saga into the backdrop of World War II, marking a fresh chapter for the Peaky Blinders franchise.
As the series transitions to the big screen, Knight expressed excitement about the evolving narrative and the introduction of new characters. He hinted at the possibility of familiar faces making appearances, teasing unexpected twists and turns in the storyline.
Peaky Blinders enthusiasts can currently stream the series on Netflix as they await the highly-anticipated movie, which promises to deliver a compelling continuation of the Shelby family saga.
