Netflix has set a date for the Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man, with Cillian Murphy returning as Tommy Shelby in March 2026. For fans wanting to revisit the story or newcomers looking to understand Tommy Shelby’s world, watching the entire series is the best plan. However, if you are short on time, some episodes are especially important. These specific episodes show the critical moments that define Tommy’s character, his most painful losses, and the state of his empire as the movie begins.
What To Know About The Upcoming Movie
The movie Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man will be released on Netflix on March 20, 2026, following a limited run in theaters starting March 6, 2026. Cillian Murphy is confirmed to return as Tommy Shelby, and new cast members include Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth. Stephen Graham will also appear, reprising his role from the series as Hayden Stagg.
Creator Steven Knight has shared that the film is set during World War II in 1940, against the backdrop of the Birmingham Blitz. He describes this new chapter as having higher stakes than the show. Murphy himself has said the film is “one for the fans,” promising a continuation that honors the original story.
Season 1, Episode 1: The Pilot
This is where it all begins. The first episode introduces Tommy Shelby and his family’s small-time gang in Birmingham, just after World War I. They are involved in illegal horse race betting and stumble upon a crate of stolen guns. The episode also introduces key characters who will return in the film, including Tommy’s sister Ada Thorne (Sophie Rundle) and loyal allies like Charlie Strong (Ned Dennehy) and Johnny Dogs (Packy Lee).
Watching this episode highlights how far Tommy has come. At the start, the Peaky Blinders are a local street gang. By the time of the movie, Tommy is a powerful political figure and businessman. Seeing his humble, gritty beginnings makes his later rise and the challenges he faces more impactful.
Season 2, Episode 6: The Season 2 Finale
This episode is often considered one of the best in the entire series. It shows Tommy at a major turning point. After carrying out a dangerous mission, he is captured and believes he is about to be killed. This moment reveals a core part of his character: he sees himself as a man already dead, which fuels his risky actions.
The episode ends with a major surprise that changes Tommy’s destiny. He is saved at the last second and given a message that he should expect a call from Winston Churchill. This event pulls Tommy from the criminal underworld into the dangerous world of national politics, setting the stage for the larger-scale conflicts in later seasons and the upcoming film.
Season 3, Episode 2: The Death of Grace
This episode contains one of the most tragic events in Tommy’s life: the death of his wife, Grace Shelby (Annabelle Wallis). Grace is shot and killed by a bullet intended for Tommy during an attack by a rival Italian family. Her loss has a profound and lasting impact on him.
“Grace stays with him throughout the series and is an integral part of the character even in death,” notes one analysis.
Grace’s death shatters the brief period of happiness and family life Tommy had built. It returns him to a darker, more isolated state and is a wound that never fully heals. Her memory and a sapphire necklace he gave her become recurring motifs in later seasons, influencing his decisions and haunting him. Understanding this loss is key to understanding Tommy’s motivations and inner pain.
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Season 5, Episode 6: “Mr. Jones”
The finale of Season 5 shows Tommy’s grand plans collapsing. He attempts to assassinate the fascist politician Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin) during a rally, but the plan fails due to betrayal from within his own organization. The failure results in the deaths of his allies and represents a major defeat.
The episode ends with Tommy in a state of utter despair. Haunted by visions of Grace, he puts a gun to his own head. The screen cuts to black, leaving his fate unknown. This moment represents Tommy’s lowest point, where the weight of his actions and losses seems to finally break him. It sets up his mental state at the beginning of Season 6 and shows the immense pressure he is under.
Season 6, Episode 6: “Lock and Key”
This is the final episode of the television series and directly sets the stage for the movie. Tommy believes he is dying from a terminal illness and works to tie up all his loose ends. He outsmarts and kills his traitorous cousin, Michael Gray, and exiles his brother Finn. His wife, Lizzie, leaves him, taking their son.
In a crucial twist, Tommy discovers that his fatal diagnosis was a lie, fabricated by his enemies to make him kill himself. With this revelation, he finds a new sense of peace and purpose. The series ends with him riding away, free from his past burdens. The movie will explore what Tommy does with this newfound freedom and how the war in 1940 pulls him back into action.
The official plot summary for The Immortal Man states: “Amidst the chaos of WWII, Tommy Shelby is driven back from a self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet”. The peace he finds at the end of Season 6 is likely to be short-lived.
Also Read: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms star confirms Season 2 filming starts next week
