The Peaky Blinders story is not over. After the release of The Immortal Man movie, which serves as the final chapter for Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby, creator Steven Knight has confirmed that a sequel television series is on the way. And a key character from the film will be part of it.
The movie, which started streaming on Netflix on March 20, 2026, closes the book on Tommy’s journey. Set during World War II, it shows a retired and haunted Tommy being pulled back into action. His estranged son, Duke Shelby, played by Barry Keoghan, has taken over the Peaky Blinders operations in his absence. The film ends with Tommy’s funeral, leaving fans wondering which characters might carry the Shelby name forward into a new era.
Steven Knight Confirms Duke Shelby’s Return
In a recent interview with SlashFilm, Steven Knight provided a clear answer about the franchise’s future. When asked about which characters from The Immortal Man would appear in the upcoming sequel series, Knight confirmed that Duke Shelby will be back.
“The son character will feature in what goes forward. So, it’s a continuation of the Shelby family story, really.” – Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders Creator
This confirmation gives fans a solid anchor for the new series. Knight did not confirm whether Rebecca Ferguson’s character, Kaulo, or other new faces from the film would return. But the creator’s words make it clear that the bloodline of the Shelby family remains the focus of the story.
What Duke’s Return Means for the New Peaky Blinders Series
The upcoming sequel series has already been announced to take place in 1953, a jump of more than a decade after the events of The Immortal Man. The official synopsis for the show describes a Birmingham rebuilding after the war, with a brutal contest to control the city’s reconstruction. The Shelby family remains “right at its blood-soaked heart.”
Bringing Duke back is a logical step for this story. In the movie, Duke is shown as a volatile and ambitious leader. He took control of the gang when Tommy disappeared, running things with a recklessness that reminded people of the early days of the Blinders. By the end of the film, Duke and Tommy reach a better understanding, setting the stage for Duke to carry on the family legacy.
However, there is a question about who will play Duke in the sequel series. Barry Keoghan took over the role from Conrad Khan (who played Duke in season six) for The Immortal Man. While Knight praised Keoghan as the ideal choice for the movie, the actor has previously expressed hesitation about taking on the role long-term. Keoghan told Variety at the film’s premiere that following Tommy Shelby is “a lot” and that he does not want to attempt that.
Since the sequel series is set in 1953, Duke will be 13 years older than he was in the 1940s movie. This time jump makes a recasting possible if Keoghan chooses not to return.
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What We Know About the Sequel Series So Far
The new Peaky Blinders series has received a two-season order from Netflix and the BBC. Each season will consist of six 60-minute episodes. While Cillian Murphy is not expected to appear as Tommy Shelby, given the character’s fate in the film, he is attached as an executive producer for the new show.
Knight has kept most plot details under wraps, but the confirmed 1950s setting and Duke’s return suggest a story focused on a new generation of Shelbys navigating a post-war world. The official logline highlights Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project, hinting at a power struggle over territory and money.
For now, fans can watch Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which is available to stream on Netflix. The movie serves as both a conclusion to Tommy Shelby’s story and a bridge to what comes next. With Duke Shelby confirmed for the sequel, the Peaky Blinders universe is ready to move forward with a familiar face leading the charge into a new era.
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