The film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is on the verge of being released, and it’s going to mark a new era for fans of the gritty historical crime drama.
In 2013, Cillian Murphy carved out a space for himself as one of the most iconic TV characters of all time when gang leader Tommy Shelby debuted in the BBC drama.
The sixth series of Peaky Blinders, which came out in 2022, was meant to be the last… but following the announcement of a movie, it was also revealed that a sequel series is in the works.
The catch? There’ll apparently be no Cillian, as it’s understood that Tommy’s final appearance will be in The Immortal Man.
The Oppenheimer star recently reflected on filming his final scenes as the complex character, telling Empire: ‘I don’t think I’m going to be able to process it or think about it until the film comes out, because I believe that a film isn’t finished until people look at it.’
The upcoming sequel series, which Cillian will executive-produce alongside Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is set in Birmingham in 1953.
What did Metro think of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man?
Read the four-star review by Metro film critic Tori Brazier here:
‘After being heavily bombed in WWII, Birmingham is building a better future out of concrete and steel. In a new era of Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders, the race to own Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions,’ the synopsis reads.
‘This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and danger: with the Shelby family right at its blood-soaked heart.’
Steven also spoke about how ‘the new generation of Shelbys have taken the wheel’ in the upcoming show, adding: ‘It will be a hell of a ride’, Deadline reported.
While there is a lot of excitement brewing about the prospect of more Peaky Blinders-adjacent stories coming in the future, it could end up being an entirely different beast without Tommy leaving the charge.
Metro readers have their say
We asked Metro readers how they felt about Peaky Blinders returning for a new TV show without Cillian, and if they would decide to give it a chance. Here’s what they had to say.
‘It won’t be the same – but I’ll be watching’
Nothing could ever perfectly replicate the magic of Peaky Blinders. It’s lightning in a bottle, and trying to create a carbon copy of the original drama with new characters frankly just won’t work.
However, some fans have faith in the upcoming sequel series, particularly given Steven – who also created A Thousand Blows and House of Guinness – is still running the show.
‘If Steven Knight’s the writer, it’ll be epic. Tommy’s generation is past, Duke’s is future,’ said Metro reader Lisa Rua, in reference to Barry Keoghan’s new character Duke from the film, who’s revealed to be Tommy’s estranged son.
Grant McDonald and Michaela Harris both agreed that it ‘won’t be the same’, but they’ll still be tuning in to check it out.
Keith Alexander added that the writing on the show is ‘brilliant’, and that the new story ‘just needs some great characters’.
Paul Wood also chimed in, adding that ‘of course’ he’ll be checking it out ‘if it’s a good story’.
‘Without Tommy Shelby, it’s not Peaky Blinders’
For some diehard fans of Peaky Blinders, their answer is simple – they’ll absolutely refuse to watch the new sequel series if Tommy Shelby isn’t in it.
‘Without Tom, further Polly, it’s not Peaky Blinders. It’s something else,’ wrote Metro reader Joseph O Brien, referencing Polly Gray, the iconic matriarch played by the late Helen McCrory.
David Bergin remarked that in his opinion, ‘a remake of any series never works’, and he can’t see the new TV show succeeding without the original cast, led by Cillian.
‘I’m sorry but Cillian Murphy made Peaky Blinders the hit it was so I can’t see it doing as well without him,’ commented Jonathan Harpur.
Meanwhile, Diane Cromie expressed her belief that the period drama should be left ‘where it ended’.
Let’s see if these fans vowing to boycott the show will stick to their word, or if their curiosity ends up getting the better of them.
‘I’d like to give it a chance’
Some Peaky Blinders fans who are divided – they clearly have their reservations about the sequel series with a new batch of next-generation characters, but they’re willing to give it a go.
‘I’ll give it an episode to decide,’ Metro reader Steve James vowed, while Kyle Wakeling stated: ‘I’d still like to see it and give it a chance.’
Clare Barton admitted that she will watch the show, but she knows that she’ll ‘feel sad without Tommy and Arthur Shelby’.
Several other fans also voiced their upset over the absence of Arthur Shelby, the older brother of Tommy, played by Paul Anderson.
Will you keep watching Peeky Blinders?
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Yes, I'm excited for the future
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No, I think I'm done
Despite playing Arthur throughout the entirety of Peaky Blinders’ six seasons, he won’t be appearing in the film The Immortal Man.
Paul recently addressed his absence from the movie, telling LADbible that he found it ‘amazing’, while also adding: ‘I was slightly apprehensive. We made a good show, we ain’t made enough seasons – I think we should’ve just done a couple more seasons. I don’t see a reason to do a film to be honest.’
He also shared that fans who go to see The Immortal Man will end up seeing Arthur ‘in a different light’.
Peaky Blinders is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is in cinemas now and will stream exclusively on Netflix from March 20.
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