The wait is finally over for Peaky Blinders fans. With the release of the full trailer for the upcoming film The Immortal Man, one of the biggest mysteries has been solved: who is Barry Keoghan playing? The Saltburn star is stepping into the iconic world of Shelby Limited, and he is doing so as the son of the legendary Tommy Shelby. In a recent interview, Keoghan opened up about his long-time desire to be part of the gang and how a simple text message to his friend Cillian Murphy landed him the role of a lifetime .
Barry Keoghan’s Character Revealed: Meet Duke Shelby
For months, speculation ran wild about the role Barry Keoghan would play in the Peaky Blinders movie. The new trailer finally confirmed that Keoghan is taking on the role of Duke Shelby, Tommy’s illegitimate son . Fans of the original series might remember that Duke was introduced briefly in the final season, originally played by Conrad Khan. In the film, which is set in 1940 during World War Two, Duke has grown into a central figure. With Tommy in self-imposed exile, Duke has taken over as the new leader of the Peaky Blinders gang, running things “like it’s 1919 all over again,” according to his aunt Ada Shelby .
Keoghan describes his character as “troubled” and “up to no good” . He explained that at his core, Duke is simply a boy searching for his father. “Being a father myself, I really did relate to Duke, because there’s this cry for his father and this cry for the figure that he needs to be there,” Keoghan shared in his interview with Empire magazine .
“I Always Wanted to Be Part of It”: A Father’s Day Text That Changed Everything
The journey for Barry Keoghan to join the Peaky Blinders universe was not just a standard casting call. It was a personal connection that brought him into the fold. Keoghan, who previously worked with Cillian Murphy on the set of Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk in 2017, revealed that the opportunity came through a heartfelt message.
“He goes, by the way, would you want to play my son in Peaky Blinders?” Keoghan recounted, explaining that a Father’s Day text he sent to his close pal Murphy led directly to the job offer . “At the drop of a hat, I was like, feckin’ yeah, anything to work with yourself again, and to become part of that universe and that world” .
The actor admitted that he had always wanted to be a part of the Peaky Blinders story, but the timing was never right until now. “I always wanted to be part of it, and I feel like this was the perfect moment, in the sense of who I play and the story that unfolds,” he stated. “It couldn’t be any more perfect casting” .
Studying the King: Barry Keoghan’s ‘Lion King’ Method
Taking over the role of Tommy Shelby’s son meant that Barry Keoghan had to study the man himself, Cillian Murphy. To prepare for the part, Keoghan spent a lot of time on set observing Murphy, trying to capture his mannerisms and presence. Interestingly, he compared this process to a classic Disney film.
“In the way that Simba follows his dad in The Lion King. It’s as simple as that,” Keoghan explained. “Honestly! The Lion King was one of the ones that, for me, had that animalistic, father and son approach to it” .
His dedication to embodying the Shelby bloodline even led him to make a playful joke about their resemblance. “Go on, be honest. Who’s got bluer eyes? I look more Cillian Murphy than Cillian looks Cillian Murphy,” he joked with a grin, highlighting the physical similarities that make his casting feel so natural .
Steven Knight Praises the ‘Perfect’ Casting Choice
It is not just the fans who are excited about this dynamic. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight recently explained why Barry Keoghan was the ideal choice to play Tommy’s son. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Knight revealed that Keoghan was his first and only choice for the role.
“I never leap on board when people start saying about an actor, ‘Oh my God, he’s got this stillness,’” Knight said. “You start using all those words about an actor. But with him, it’s all true. I wanted him to be the son from the beginning, and when we knew we got him, he took it to another level. Who he is in real life is perfect for this. He’s just so good” .
Knight also expressed his excitement about the powerful scenes between the two actors. Reflecting on the trailer’s final shot of Tommy and Duke sharing a drink at the Garrison pub, Knight admitted, “Just to see those two in The Garrison on either side of the bar drinking whiskey – didn’t get any better for me” .
What to Expect from ‘The Immortal Man’
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man picks up the story in Birmingham, 1940. The chaos of the Second World War serves as the backdrop for Tommy Shelby’s return from his self-imposed exile . The official synopsis warns that Tommy must “face his most destructive reckoning yet,” as he deals with the family he left behind and the son who has taken his place .
The film features a stacked cast. Alongside Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan, viewers will see returning favorites like Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby and Stephen Graham as Hayden Stagg . Newcomers to the franchise include Rebecca Ferguson, whose character warns Tommy about the ghosts of his past, and Tim Roth, who appears to play an English officer with a questionable agenda .
The trailer hints at a major conflict, with Duke seemingly being tempted to commit treason to help the Germans win the war, a move that would put him directly at odds with his father .
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When and Where to Watch
Fans will not have to wait much longer to see Barry Keoghan lead the Peaky Blinders gang. The film is scheduled to premiere in select cinemas on March 6, 2026 . For those who prefer to watch at home, it will be available for streaming on Netflix starting March 20, 2026 . This release schedule allows fans in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and around the world to catch the film either on the big screen or through the streaming platform shortly after.
The movie is directed by Tom Harper, who returns to the franchise after directing episodes in the first season, and written by series creator Steven Knight . It serves as a bridge between the original series and the previously announced two-season sequel series, which will follow a new generation of Shelbys in 1953 .
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