The world of Peaky Blinders is getting bigger, but many followers of the show are worried about its future. The upcoming Peaky Blinders sequel series, set to arrive on Netflix, will move forward without Cillian Murphy as the iconic Tommy Shelby. After the release of the film The Immortal Man, which ended with Tommy’s death, creator Steven Knight is shifting focus to a new generation. However, a large part of the fanbase believes the show cannot survive without the charismatic actor who led the Shelby family for six seasons.
Tommy Shelby’s Era Ends to Make Way for Duke Shelby
The recently released film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, served as a final goodbye to Tommy Shelby. The movie, which hit select theaters on March 6, 2026, and began streaming on Netflix on March 20, is set in 1940s Birmingham during World War II. It concludes with Tommy’s death at the hands of his own son, Duke Shelby. Initially played by Barry Keoghan in the film, the role of an older Duke Shelby has now passed to Jamie Bell for the sequel series.
This death was a deliberate choice by Knight to clear the way for the next chapter. The sequel series is set in the 1950s, roughly 13 years after the events of The Immortal Man. The plot will follow Duke Shelby as he tries to rebuild Birmingham after the war and lead the Blinders in a new, brutal contest for power. While Cillian Murphy is not returning as an actor, he is staying involved as an executive producer to help guide the franchise’s new direction.
Fans on Reddit Say ‘No Cillian, No Show’
Following the announcement of Jamie Bell taking over and confirmation that Cillian Murphy is gone, social media—particularly Reddit—has erupted with harsh criticism. Many viewers feel that Tommy Shelby was the heart of the show, and without him, the series should simply end.
“Without Cillian it will be a nothing burger.”
— Reddit User“The show is Cillian, he’s the best part. Let it go.”
— Reddit User
The criticisms are not just about acting talent but about the soul of the story. One fan argued that the sequel feels like a “cash grab” that lacks the depth of the original series. Another wrote that the movie already broke their trust by killing off Arthur Shelby, and they will not let the new series “betray” them again. The deep connection viewers have to Cillian Murphy’s performance makes it very hard for them to accept a replacement.
Some Fans Are Willing to Give the New Series a Chance
While the negative voices are loud, a segment of the fanbase is asking others to calm down and wait. They argue that Peaky Blinders has always been about the Shelby family and Birmingham, not just one man.
One Reddit user pointed out that reducing the show to just Thomas Shelby ignores the rich stories of other characters. They urged people to stop judging the sequel before it is even released. Others are optimistic because Cillian Murphy remains on board as an executive producer. They trust his taste in projects and believe he would not put his name on something that would ruin the legacy he helped build.
The sequel has already received a two-season order from Netflix and the BBC, signaling strong confidence from the studios. Alongside Jamie Bell, the cast includes Charlie Heaton, Lashana Lynch, and Jessica Brown Findlay, suggesting a high-budget effort to keep the franchise alive.
For more updates on streaming sequels and TV revivals, keep reading VvipTimes for the latest breaking news.
