The return of Tommy Shelby to the big screen is just weeks away, but a major piece of the Peaky Blinders family puzzle is missing. With the March 2026 release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man fast approaching, fans have one big question on their minds: where is Arthur Shelby?
The official trailer for the Netflix film dropped on February 18, 2026, giving audiences their best look yet at Tommy Shelby’s final chapter . But sharp-eyed viewers quickly noticed something—or someone—missing. Paul Anderson, who played the volatile eldest Shelby brother for nine years, is nowhere to be seen in the footage.
The Arthur Shelby Problem
For fans of the original series, Arthur Shelby was never just a side character. He was the chaotic heart of the Peaky Blinders, the brother who would do anything for Tommy even when his own demons threatened to destroy him. His absence in The Immortal Man has left many wondering how the story can possibly work without him.
One fan put it bluntly on social media: “How tf are they gonna do it.” The comment captures the confusion and concern spreading through the Peaky Blinders community as they try to imagine a Shelby story without the eldest brother’s presence .
Another fan wrote on Facebook: “I’m confused posts over the weekend stated he was in the film The Immortal Man and his role was as dark as his recent struggles. What is the real narrative here FGS” . The conflicting information has only added to the frustration.
Reports confirmed in April 2025 that Anderson would not be joining the film production due to personal struggles and legal issues . The actor had been open about his difficulties, admitting in 2024 that he was “struggling” after health concerns and a guilty plea for drug possession. His words at the time—”There is no story without struggle”—resonated deeply with fans who had watched him portray a character constantly battling his own nature .
What We Know About The Immortal Man
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man picks up the story in Birmingham, 1940. The official logline 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” .
The film brings back Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby, nearly four years after the series concluded its sixth season . Instead of a seventh season, creator Steven Knight chose to end the story with a feature film—a plan that had been in place since the beginning but was accelerated due to the pandemic .
Returning cast members include Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby, Stephen Graham as Hayden Stagg, Ned Dennehy as Charlie Strong, Packy Lee as Johnny Dogs, and Ian Peck as Curly . New additions to the cast are equally impressive: Rebecca Ferguson joins as a mysterious character named Kaulo, Tim Roth plays a British fascist sympathizer named Beckett, and Barry Keoghan takes on the role of Duke Shelby, Tommy’s son who was introduced late in the series .
The film is directed by Tom Harper, who helmed episodes in the first season, bringing him full circle with the project . It will receive a limited theatrical release on March 6, 2026, before streaming globally on Netflix starting March 20 .
The Trailer Reveals a New Dynamic
The official trailer, released on February 18, shows a very different Tommy Shelby than fans remember . “When we meet him, he’s as broken as he has been,” Murphy said in a statement. “He’s just medicating and living in this purgatory that he’s created for himself in this big old house. He’s in this liminal space, not really living, he’s not really dead. He’s ignoring the world, he’s ignoring his family” .
The trailer opens with Tommy’s voice: “Once, I nearly got f***in’ everything. But nearly doesn’t count” . Living in isolation, he’s drawn back after learning that his son Duke is now leading the Peaky Blinders. Ada tells him Duke is “running the Peaky Blinders like it’s 1919 all over again” .
Rebecca Ferguson’s character Kaulo delivers a haunting line: “You live in a house haunted by ghosts of people who died because of you” . Meanwhile, Tim Roth’s Beckett emerges as a new political threat, a British fascist sympathizer who tries to recruit Duke for something that could determine the outcome of the war .
The emotional core of the film, according to Knight, is the relationship between Tommy and Duke. “The father and son were the main structures,” he told Entertainment Weekly .
Why Arthur’s Absence Hits So Hard
Arthur Shelby was more than just Tommy’s older brother. He was the muscle, the emotional bomb ready to explode, and surprisingly often the moral compass that reminded the family they were still human. His struggles with mental health, violence, and loyalty created some of the series’ most memorable moments.
Fans have made their feelings clear about Anderson’s performance. One wrote: “Paul Anderson was by far the best actor on Peaky Blinders. They were all great, but he was the best. Hope the best for him” . Another agreed: “His caracter was by far the most complexed and wellplayed of them all. So yes Indeed the best actor” .
The bond between Tommy and Arthur was central to the entire series. They were the last two original Shelby brothers after John’s death. Their relationship survived betrayals, addictions, and countless life-threatening situations. To have Tommy’s final chapter without Arthur feels incomplete to many.
Despite not being in the film, Anderson has remained connected to fans. In December 2025, he appeared at a meet-and-greet in Essex, where football star Jude Bellingham even sent him a signed Real Madrid shirt with a message of encouragement .
Who Is in the Cast and Who Isn’t
The confirmed cast for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man includes:
- Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby
- Rebecca Ferguson as Kaulo
- Tim Roth as Beckett
- Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby
- Barry Keoghan as Duke Shelby
- Stephen Graham as Hayden Stagg
- Ned Dennehy as Charlie Strong
- Packy Lee as Johnny Dogs
- Ian Peck as Curly
- Jay Lycurgo in an undisclosed role
Notably absent is Paul Anderson as Arthur Shelby. Also missing is Sam Claflin, whose character Oswald Mosley has been written out due to the character’s imprisonment during this period .
Some confusion arose from earlier reports. A December 2025 article from Deccan Chronicle, citing the PTI news agency, listed Anderson as part of the cast . However, more recent and numerous sources confirm his absence, suggesting that information was either outdated or incorrect.
The Soundtrack Adds to the Mood
Alongside the trailer, details about the film’s soundtrack have been released. Long-time Peaky Blinders composers Antony Genn and Martin Slattery return to score the film . The soundtrack, dropping March 6, features 36 tracks including five new original recordings .
Grian Chatten, frontman of Fontaines D.C., contributes heavily to the project with several tracks including “Puppet,” which appears in the trailer . Nick Cave re-records “Red Right Hand,” the series’ iconic theme song, for the film . Other artists include Amy Taylor of Amyl and the Sniffers, Irish band Lankum, and a cover of Massive Attack’s “Teardrop” by Girl In The Year Above .
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The Story Continues Beyond the Film
While The Immortal Man may close Tommy Shelby’s story, the Peaky Blinders universe will continue. Knight confirmed in February 2026 that the “world” of Peaky Blinders will live on after the movie . Two spin-off series are in development, set after 1953 and focusing on a new generation of characters .
“The stuff that I’m watching—the rushes, the assemblies—no one will be disappointed,” Knight said on BBC Breakfast. “It is quite an incredible thing. It’s a very fitting way to end this part of the ‘Peaky’ story” .
For now, fans must prepare to say goodbye to Tommy Shelby without his brother Arthur by his side. Whether the film addresses Arthur’s absence directly or simply moves forward without explanation remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: when Tommy walks back into the Garrison Pub in March, it won’t feel quite the same without Arthur yelling his name.
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