The Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man, is now streaming on Netflix, giving fans a final look at Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby. The film wraps up the story of the Birmingham gangster during World War II, bringing back several familiar faces while introducing new ones. But for many viewers, one big question remains: where is Tom Hardy?
The actor, who played the unforgettable Jewish gang leader Alfie Solomons, is nowhere to be found in the movie. This absence has left fans wondering why a character who survived the entire series and even got a hopeful send-off in the season 6 finale did not make it to the big screen.
Alfie Solomons’ Journey in the Series
Alfie Solomons first appeared in season 2 as the leader of a Jewish gang in Camden. He quickly became one of Tommy Shelby’s most complex rivals. Their relationship was a mix of business, respect, and constant betrayal. In season 4, Tommy shot Alfie in the face, seemingly killing him. But the show later revealed that Alfie survived the attack.
He made a surprise return in season 5 and appeared again in season 6. In the final season, fans saw Alfie living in Margate with his new wife, Edna. He was shown to be alive and running his own business, giving viewers hope that he would play a role in the movie. The season 6 ending left the door wide open for Alfie to return.
Why Tom Hardy Is Not in The Immortal Man
The creators and cast have not given a clear reason for keeping Alfie out of the film. When asked about his involvement in April 2025, Tom Hardy dodged the question, simply saying, “I can’t possibly say”.
Series creator Steven Knight explained that the story itself decided which characters would appear. In an interview with Digital Spy, he said, “The story decides which characters will appear. I don’t really plan the story consciously, it emerges as I write. It’s almost as if I’m discovering what it’s about myself”. For Knight, the focus was on giving Tommy Shelby a proper ending, and Alfie did not fit into that vision.
Knight also shared his goal for the film with The Playlist. “The Tommy Shelby story has got to end with a big bang. And that’s what it does now. And that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to find Tommy Shelby in a different place, where he’s done lots of bad things in his life, but he’s always been a good man doing bad things for a good reason. And the good reason was always his family. But now we find him in a place where he’s done something for which he cannot forgive himself. And I wanted the film to be his journey to redemption and absolution for what he’s done to a member of his family”.
Other Missing Characters in The Immortal Man
Alfie is not the only fan favorite missing from the film. Paul Anderson, who played Tommy’s older brother Arthur Shelby, does not appear in the movie. The film reveals that Arthur has been dead for two years, and Tommy himself was the one who killed him. This event happens before the movie begins, so Arthur is only mentioned in dialogue.
Anderson spoke about Arthur’s fate with LadBible. “I think it’s great,” he said. “It’s such a powerful thing to do. It’s something you don’t see on TV. Everyone thought, ‘well, everyone knows Arthur’s gonna die’”. He also mentioned being surprised by how much fans loved his character. “I was quite nasty sometimes, I weren’t very nice to people in it. But people loved me”.
Other characters who do not return include Finn Shelby, the youngest brother, who was kicked out of the Peaky Blinders by Duke in the series finale. The film does not mention him at all. Charles Shelby, Tommy’s son with his wife Lizzie, is said to be at the war front but never appears on screen.
The Characters Who Did Return
Despite these absences, the film brings back several key figures. Sophie Rundle returns as Ada Shelby, Tommy’s sister, who tries to pull him out of his isolation. Stephen Graham is back as Hayden Stagg, the trade union official who became a trusted member of the Peaky Blinders. Ned Dennehy returns as Charlie Strong, the loyal non-biological uncle, while Packy Lee reprises his role as Johnny Dogs, Tommy’s longtime friend. Ian Peck also returns as Curly, the stable boy.
New cast members include Rebecca Ferguson as Kaulo, a mysterious woman with mystical ties to Tommy’s past. Tim Roth plays John Beckett, a Nazi sympathizer involved in a counterfeit money scheme. Barry Keoghan takes on the role of Duke Shelby, Tommy’s illegitimate son, who now runs the Peaky Blinders in his father’s absence.
Fan Reactions to Missing Characters
Social media has been filled with reactions from viewers who expected to see Alfie Solomons one last time. Many fans expressed disappointment that the character, who had a significant presence in the series, did not get a proper send-off in the film.
“I’m gutted Alfie wasn’t in the movie. After that season 6 scene, I really thought we’d see him again. Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy together were always the best part of the show.” – Fan comment on social media
Others noted that while the film worked as a conclusion to Tommy’s story, it left many character arcs unresolved.
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What This Means for the Peaky Blinders Universe
Even though The Immortal Man serves as the end of Tommy Shelby’s story, the Peaky Blinders universe is not finished. A new TV series is already in development, which will follow the next generation of the Shelby family after World War II. This opens the door for characters like Finn Shelby or even a younger version of Alfie to appear in future stories.
For now, fans who want to see Tom Hardy’s Alfie Solomons will have to revisit the original series. The actor brought a unique energy to the role, and his absence in the film remains one of the biggest talking points for viewers.
The Immortal Man is now available to stream on Netflix. The film had a limited theatrical release on March 6, 2026, before arriving on the streaming platform on March 20.
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