Cillian Murphy is finally back as Thomas Shelby, and the Peaky Blinders movie is almost here. The actor recently sat down for an extensive conversation about stepping into Tommy’s shoes one last time for The Immortal Man. He spoke openly about revisiting the character’s Romani roots and how the spirit of Aunt Polly guided the entire story even though the character is gone.
The film, officially titled Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, arrives in select cinemas on March 6, 2026 and lands on Netflix on March 20, 2026 . It picks up six years after the series ended. Birmingham is now 1940, and World War II is tearing through Europe. Tommy has been living in self-imposed exile, but the war drags him back to face his family, his enemies, and his own dark past .
For Murphy, returning to this role meant reconnecting with the very soul of the character. That includes the gypsy heritage that always made Tommy different from other gangster figures on television.
Cillian Murphy On Tommy’s Gypsy Magic and Superstition
From the very first episode of the series, Tommy Shelby was never just a gangster. He was a businessman, a soldier, and a politician. But underneath the sharp suits and the flat caps, he was also a man who believed in gypsy magic.
Murphy explained in recent interviews that the film dives even deeper into that side of Tommy. The actor said the character always carried that “otherness” with him. He was a Romani man navigating a world that looked down on travelers, and that tension shaped everything he did.
The term “gypsy magic” in the Peaky Blinders world is not about spells or fantasy. It is about intuition, superstition, and a deep connection to nature and the spirit world. Tommy often relied on his “sight,” a kind of sixth sense that warned him of danger or guided his decisions.
In the movie, with Tommy isolated and haunted by decades of violence, that connection to his roots becomes even stronger. Murphy shared that the script allowed him to explore the mystical side of Tommy in ways the series never had time for. The wartime setting, with death all around, makes a man think about what comes next. For Tommy, that means turning back to the old ways.
The actor also noted that embracing this side of Tommy was essential to understanding why the character survives while everyone around him falls. He carries the wisdom of his ancestors, and in the chaos of the Birmingham Blitz, that wisdom is the only thing keeping him alive.
Remembering Aunt Polly: Her Spirit Lives On In The Immortal Man
No conversation about Peaky Blinders is complete without mentioning Helen McCrory, the actress who played Aunt Polly with such fierce grace. McCrory passed away in 2021, and her absence left a hole in the final season. For the movie, the creative team knew they had to honor her properly.
Murphy revealed that Aunt Polly’s world is still very much alive in The Immortal Man. Even though Polly is gone, her influence shapes every decision Tommy makes. The film does not recast the role or use digital tricks to bring her back. Instead, her memory is woven into the story in a way that feels natural and deeply respectful.
The phrase “Aunt Polly’s world” refers to the matriarchal strength of the Shelby family. Polly was the moral compass, the one who kept the boys in line when they went too far. She was also the keeper of the family’s gypsy traditions. Without her, Tommy is left to carry that weight alone.
Murphy described how the cast and crew felt McCrory’s presence on set during filming. He said they all wanted to make her proud. The film includes moments where characters talk about Polly, remember her lessons, and try to live up to the standards she set.
Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, has also spoken about how the film had to address Polly’s absence. He wrote the story knowing that fans would expect a tribute. The result is a movie that celebrates Helen McCrory’s legacy while moving the Shelby saga forward.
The Cast and Characters Returning For The Movie
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man brings back several familiar faces alongside Murphy.
Sophie Rundle returns as Ada Shelby, Tommy’s sister. In the film, Ada has become a Member of Parliament, using politics to fight the same battles the family once fought with violence .
Stephen Graham is back as Hayden Stagg, the union man from the Liverpool docks. Graham’s character was a fan favorite in the later seasons, and his role expands in the movie .
Ned Dennehy and Packy Lee also reprise their roles as Charlie Strong and Johnny Dogs. These two characters represent the old Birmingham, the world of horse traders and gypsy camps that Tommy came from .
Barry Keoghan joins the cast as Erasmus ‘Duke’ Shelby, Tommy’s illegitimate son. Duke was introduced briefly in the final season, but the movie gives him a much bigger role. Keoghan described his character as being like Simba from The Lion King, a young man trying to figure out what it means to follow in his father’s footsteps .
Rebecca Ferguson plays a new character named Kaulo, described as a mysterious woman from Tommy’s past. Murphy said Ferguson was at the top of their wish list from day one .
Tim Roth appears as Beckett, the Treasurer of the British Union of Fascists. Roth brings a chilling presence to the role, representing the political evil that Tommy must confront during the war .
What The Movie Is About
The official synopsis for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man sets the stage clearly:
“Birmingham, 1940. 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. By order of the Peaky Blinders…”
The story takes place during the Birmingham Blitz, when German bombers targeted the city night after night. Steven Knight, who grew up in Birmingham, based much of the atmosphere on stories his mother told him about living through the bombings .
Knight explained that the war setting gives the story a desperate energy. No one knows if they will survive until morning. That uncertainty pushes Tommy to finally deal with everything he has been running from.
Director Tom Harper, who worked on the first season of the show, returns to helm the film. Murphy said it felt right to bring Harper back because he understands the Peaky world better than almost anyone .
Why This Is Cillian Murphy’s Last Time As Tommy Shelby
Fans hoping for more Peaky Blinders after this movie may need to prepare for goodbye. Murphy has confirmed that The Immortal Man will be his final time playing Tommy Shelby .
In interviews, Murphy admitted he does not think he will fully process the end of this journey until the film is actually out in the world. He has played Tommy for over a decade. The character changed his life and career. Letting go is not easy.
But Murphy also said he feels satisfied with the ending. He loved the ambiguity of the series finale, where Tommy rode off into the countryside, leaving his future unknown. For a movie to work, it had to justify disturbing that ending. Murphy believes they found the right story.
He described the film as a chance to give Tommy a proper send-off. One that honors the character, the fans, and the world Steven Knight built.
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Release Dates and How To Watch
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man has a two-step release plan.
The film debuts in select cinemas on March 6, 2026 . This includes theaters in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, India, and other major markets. Fans who want the big-screen experience should check local listings for showtimes.
For those who prefer streaming, the movie arrives on Netflix globally on March 20, 2026 . It will be available to all subscribers in every region where Netflix operates.
The world premiere took place in Birmingham on March 2, 2026, at Symphony Hall. Murphy walked the red carpet alongside Steven Knight, Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, and other cast members. Centenary Square was transformed into 1940s Birmingham for the event, complete with period decorations and the film’s logo lit up against the night sky .
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