The creator of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, has given fans a clear homework assignment before they sit down to watch the new movie The Immortal Man. With the film arriving in just a few days, Knight wants viewers to refresh their memories by watching three specific episodes from the TV series. These episodes set the stage for everything that happens to Tommy Shelby in the feature film. The movie, which stars Cillian Murphy returning as the iconic gang leader, is set to hit select theaters on March 6, 2026, before streaming globally on Netflix on March 20, 2026 .
The film picks up Tommy’s story in 1940, during World War II, after he has withdrawn from the world. He is forced to return to Birmingham to face his family, his enemies, and the son he left behind. To understand why Tommy is in this dark place, and to recognize the faces who show up in the movie, watching these three key episodes is the best way to prepare.
Why Steven Knight Wants You to Revisit These Episodes
The new movie is not a reboot or a standalone story. It is a direct continuation of the television series that ran for six seasons from 2013 to 2022. Steven Knight has always planned to end the story of the Shelby family with a film, and The Immortal Man is that final chapter .
In recent interviews, Knight explained that the film focuses heavily on the relationship between Tommy Shelby and his son, Duke Shelby, played by Barry Keoghan. He also emphasized that the movie deals with the ghosts of Tommy’s past—both the people he lost and the enemies he made . The three episodes Knight recommends watching cover exactly these topics. They introduce Duke, show the end of the last season, and remind viewers of the political dangers Tommy faced. Watching them will make the movie’s opening scenes much more powerful.
Episode 1: Season 6, Episode 1 – “Black Day”
The episode where Tommy faces loss like never before.
If you only watch one episode before The Immortal Man, this is the one. The season six premiere picks up immediately after the devastating events of the season five finale. It is a dark and heavy episode that shows Tommy Shelby at his lowest point. The title refers to the day of his wife’s death, and the entire hour is soaked in grief and guilt.
This episode is essential because it establishes the emotional state that Tommy carries into the movie. By the time we see him in The Immortal Man trailer, living in isolation and looking broken, this is where that journey began. Cillian Murphy delivers some of his best work in this episode, showing a man who has lost everything that mattered to him.
The episode also deals heavily with themes of fate, curses, and the supernatural. Steven Knight has said that The Immortal Man continues these ideas, introducing a character played by Rebecca Ferguson who challenges Tommy about the ghosts that haunt him . Watching “Black Day” reminds viewers exactly who those ghosts are and why Tommy feels responsible for every death.
Episode 2: Season 6, Episode 5 – “The Road to Hell”
The episode that introduces Tommy’s secret son, Duke Shelby.
This is arguably the most important episode to watch before the movie. In “The Road to Hell,” Tommy discovers he has an illegitimate son named Duke Shelby, a young man who grew up on the streets without the Shelby name or money. The episode shows their first meeting and Tommy’s decision to bring Duke into the family business.
Barry Keoghan plays Duke in The Immortal Man, and the trailer confirms that Duke is now leading the Peaky Blinders in Tommy’s absence. Sophie Rundle’s character, Ada Shelby, tells Tommy that Duke is “running the Peaky Blinders like it’s 1919 all over again” .
Without watching this season six episode, movie viewers might not understand the complicated dynamic between father and son. In the episode, Tommy barely knows Duke. By the time of the movie, Duke has taken over, and the trailer suggests he might be tempted to betray his family and country. Tim Roth’s character asks Duke to commit treason for Germany, and Duke seems willing to consider it . The foundation for this tension was built in “The Road to Hell.”
Episode 3: Season 6, Episode 6 – “Lock and Key”
The series finale that sets up Tommy’s exile.
The final episode of the entire series is a must-watch before The Immortal Man. It shows Tommy finally achieving a kind of peace, but at a tremendous cost. Without giving away spoilers for anyone who hasn’t finished the show, this episode sees Tommy ride away from Birmingham on a horse, seemingly leaving his old life behind.
The movie trailer shows Tommy living in a large, empty house, isolated from the world. Rebecca Ferguson’s character tells him, “You abandoned your kingdom and you abandoned your son” . “Lock and Key” is the moment that abandonment began. It explains why Tommy is not in Birmingham when the war starts, and why his son had to step up to run the gang.
The finale also resolves several storylines involving characters who appear in the film, including Stephen Graham’s character, Hayden Stagg. Watching this episode provides the perfect bridge to the movie’s opening scene.
What to Expect From Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
Now that you know which episodes to watch, here is what is coming in the film. The Immortal Man is set in Birmingham in 1940. The Second World War is actively raging, and the city is under threat. Tommy Shelby is pulled back from the self-imposed exile shown in the series finale.
The official logline for the film reads: “Amidst the chaos of WWII, Tommy Shelby is driven back from a self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet. With the future of the family and the country at stake, Tommy must face his own demons and choose whether to confront his legacy or burn it to the ground” .
Besides Cillian Murphy, the film brings back familiar faces. Sophie Rundle returns as Ada Shelby, Tommy’s strong-willed sister. Stephen Graham is back as Hayden Stagg, the union representative who often clashed with Tommy. Ned Dennehy, Packy Lee, and Ian Peck also reprise their roles from the series .
New cast members include Rebecca Ferguson, whose character seems to serve as a kind of spiritual advisor or force of fate. Tim Roth plays a menacing English officer who tries to recruit Duke Shelby for the Nazis. The cast is packed with some of the best British actors working today.
Global Release Dates and Streaming Details
Fans around the world are eager to see how Tommy Shelby’s story ends. Here is when you can watch Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man:
- United States & Canada: The film releases in select theaters on March 6, 2026. It begins streaming on Netflix on March 20, 2026 .
- United Kingdom: The world premiere takes place in Birmingham on March 2, 2026. The film will be available in select UK cinemas from March 6, and on Netflix from March 20 .
- Australia & India: The film will be available to stream on Netflix globally starting March 20, 2026 .
- Worldwide: For all other regions, Netflix will add the movie to its library on March 20, 2026.
This two-week window between the theatrical release and the streaming debut is becoming common for major films. For those who cannot wait, catching it in theaters will offer the full cinematic experience with the show’s signature music and style.
The Soundtrack and Visual Style
One of the hallmarks of Peaky Blinders has always been its music. The show is famous for using modern rock and folk songs to score its period setting. The movie will continue this tradition. The soundtrack, set for release on March 6, features 36 tracks. It includes new songs from Grian Chatten of Fontaines D.C. and Amy Taylor of Amyl & the Sniffers. Of course, a new version of the show’s iconic theme, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ “Red Right Hand,” will also be featured .
The trailer shows that the film retains the stylish, moody look of the series. Director Tom Harper, who directed episodes of the show back in 2013, returns to capture the grit of Birmingham and the sharp tailoring of the Shelby gang.
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The Future After The Immortal Man
While The Immortal Man is being called the conclusion of Tommy Shelby’s story, Steven Knight has confirmed that the world of Peaky Blinders will continue. He is planning a new television series set in 1953 that will follow a new generation of the Shelby family. That project is scheduled to begin shooting later this year . For now, all attention is on saying goodbye to Cillian Murphy’s version of the character.
Watching the three recommended episodes—Season 6’s “Black Day,” “The Road to Hell,” and “Lock and Key”—will ensure you remember the complex web of family loyalty, trauma, and ambition that defines Tommy Shelby. When he walks back into the Garrison pub in the movie, you will understand exactly what he lost, who he is fighting for, and why this final war might be his last.
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