How Cillian Murphy Became Tommy Shelby of Peaky Blinders

Cillian Murphy is one of the most versatile and talented actors of his generation. He has impressed us with his roles in films like 28 Days Later, Inception, Dunkirk, and A Quiet Place Part II. But he is best known for his portrayal of Tommy Shelby, the ruthless leader of the Peaky Blinders gang, in the hit TV series of the same name. He is also the star of Christopher Nolan’s latest epic film, Oppenheimer, where he plays the father of the atomic bomb.

But did you know that Murphy was not the first choice for Tommy Shelby’s role in Peaky Blinders? And that he had to send a convincing text message to the writer of Peaky Blinders to secure his audition? In this article, we will reveal the surprising stories behind Murphy’s casting journey and how he transformed himself into two iconic characters.

The Text That Changed His Career

Peaky Blinders is a historical crime drama that follows the exploits of the Shelby family, a gang of Romani origin who operate in Birmingham, England, in the aftermath of World War I. The show is created by Steven Knight, who also wrote the scripts for films like Eastern Promises, Locke, and The Hundred-Foot Journey.

Murphy plays Thomas (“Tommy”) Shelby, the ambitious and cunning leader of the Peaky Blinders, who has a vision of expanding his criminal empire beyond the streets of Birmingham. He also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder due to his experiences in the war and struggles with his morality and loyalty.

The show has been praised for its gritty realism, stylish cinematography, powerful performances, and eclectic soundtrack. It has won several awards, including two BAFTAs, and has attracted a loyal fan base around the world. It has also featured many famous actors in guest roles, such as Tom Hardy, Adrien Brody, Sam Neill, Aidan Gillen, and Anya Taylor-Joy.

But Murphy was not the obvious choice for the role of Tommy Shelby. In fact, he was not even considered for the part until he sent a text message to Knight, who had met him briefly at a screening of his film Locke.

Murphy told the BBC’s Desert Island Discs: “Physically, I wasn’t the obvious choice, I’m not sure if I convinced Steven during the meeting. But I later texted him: ‘Remember, I am an actor.’ I truly believe in that. It’s our responsibility as actors to adapt to any role.”

That text message was enough to persuade Knight to give Murphy a chance to audition for the role. And once he did, there was no doubt that he was the perfect fit for Tommy Shelby. He had the charisma, the intensity, the intelligence, and the vulnerability that the character required.

Murphy also had to undergo a physical transformation to play the part. He had to grow his hair long, shave his head on the sides, and wear a distinctive peaked cap that gave the gang its name. He also had to adopt a thick Birmingham accent, which he learned from a dialect coach and by listening to recordings of local people.

Murphy starred as Tommy Shelby throughout all six seasons of Peaky Blinders, spanning from 2013 to 2022. He became one of the most popular and recognizable actors on television, earning critical acclaim and several award nominations for his performance.

He also developed a close friendship with Knight, who wrote the role specifically for him after the first season. He said: “Steven is one of my closest friends now. He’s a genius. He writes every word of every episode. He’s given me the role of a lifetime.”

After six long seasons, the saga of Tommy Shelby and his Birmingham gangster family ended in 2022. But Murphy is still open to returning to the role. He said: “If there’s more story left to reach the audience, and if Steven delivers a script of the same calibre as before, I would gladly step back into Shelby’s shoes.”

He added: “If the audience is interested in seeing a 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, count me in. Let’s make it happen.”

Oppenheimer: The Role of a Lifetime

While Peaky Blinders made Murphy a household name, he also continued to work on the big screen, collaborating with some of the most acclaimed directors in the industry.

Murphy’s first film with Nolan was Batman Begins, where he played Dr. Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow, a villain who uses fear-inducing toxins to terrorize Gotham City. He reprised his role in the sequels, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, albeit in smaller cameo appearances.

He then starred in Dunkirk, Nolan’s epic war film that depicts the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of France during World War II. Murphy played a shell-shocked soldier who is rescued by a civilian boat, but refuses to return to the war zone.

But his most challenging and rewarding role with Nolan came in 2024, when he played J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist who led the Manhattan Project, the secret program that developed the first atomic bombs during World War II.

Oppenheimer is a biographical film that explores the life and work of the man who is often called “the father of the atomic bomb”. It also examines the moral and ethical dilemmas that he faced, as well as the consequences of his actions on the world and himself.

The film is written and directed by Nolan, who has been fascinated by Oppenheimer and the atomic age for a long time. He said: “Oppenheimer is one of the most complex and fascinating figures in history. His story is not only about science and politics, but also about human nature and the power of ideas.”

Murphy was Nolan’s first and only choice for the role of Oppenheimer. He said: “Cillian is an extraordinary actor who can embody any character with depth and nuance. He has the range and the skill to portray Oppenheimer in all his dimensions.”

Murphy, who has a degree in law and studied physics in school, was also intrigued by the role and the film. He said: “Oppenheimer is a fascinating character who changed the course of history. He was a brilliant scientist, a visionary, a pacifist, a patriot, a traitor, a hero, and a villain. He was a man of contradictions and complexities.”

To prepare for the role, Murphy read several books and articles about Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project. He also watched documentaries and interviews with the real Oppenheimer, as well as his colleagues and family members. He said: “I wanted to learn as much as I could about him and his work. I wanted to understand his motivations, his emotions, his conflicts, and his regrets.”

Murphy also had to transform his appearance to look more like Oppenheimer. He lost weight, dyed his hair black, wore glasses, and grew a mustache. He said: “I wanted to resemble him as much as possible, without being a caricature. I wanted to capture his essence, not his image.”

Murphy delivered a stunning performance as Oppenheimer, earning rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. He was praised for his nuanced and captivating portrayal of the man who unleashed the most destructive force in history. He was also nominated for several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actor, which he is widely expected to win.

Murphy said: “It was an honor and a privilege to play Oppenheimer. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding roles of my career. I’m grateful to Christopher Nolan for trusting me with this responsibility and for making this incredible film.”

Oppenheimer is now playing in theaters worldwide.

Watch Oppenheimer Trailer Here: