Peaky Blinders star speaks out after being snubbed from Immortal Man movie

After years of anticipation the Peaky Blinders are back, with Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Tommy Shelby in The Immortal Man.

Set years after season six ended, its story finds a self-exiled Tommy return to his old stomping grounds when a new threat emerges.

Once again donning the iconic flat cap and heading back to a bombed-out, war-torn Birmingham, Tommy is forced to confront his own legacy for the sake of the Shelby clan.

Murphy, 49, may be back for the Netflix feature, but one star of the show who reportedly won’t be reprising their role is Paul Anderson, who played older brother Arthur Shelby.

Anderson, 48, played the role for all six seasons of the hit BBC series, leaving fans wondering whether he, too, would be back for the Netflix movie.

With the film out now in cinemas – sans Arthur Shelby – Anderson has weighed in on his character’s absence.

Speaking to LADBible, Anderson said: ‘Well, what can you do, eh? It is how it is. I thought I’d just leave them to it.’

He might not appear in the film, but Arthur’s absence looms large over the story and plays a huge part in brother Tommy’s journey.

As for Anderson, he holds no ill will towards the film, nor series creator and screenwriter Stephen Knight.

Describing The Immortal Man as ‘great,’ Anderson said: It’s such a powerful thing to do. It’s something you don’t see on TV.’

When asked whether this might be the end for Arthur Shelby, Anderson added: ‘I mean, yeah, I guess so… It’s not as straightforward as you think. But we’ll see.’

Following the release of The Immortal Man, a new series is in the works, following a new generation of the gang.

‘They plan to do another two seasons, but I don’t know if he wants to do it with a younger generation or a new team of Peaky Blinders,’ Anderson added.

Since wrapping up Peaky Blinders in 2022, Anderson went on to appear in the 2024 Kevin Hart film Lift and eight episodes of the Western series The Grey House.

In the four years since the show’s sixth series aired, Anderson hit headlines due to claims of misconduct from a colleague – which he denied.

In January 2024, he pleaded guilty after being found with crack cocaine in his possession.

Anderson sparked concern the following month after being pictured looking drawn and disheveled while out in London.

The actor went on to reassure fans that all was well, sharing some selfies while explaining his sudden change in appearance.

‘Back to business and back on set today,’ he shared in an Instagram story at the time.

He added: ‘Thank you for all your love and concern to everyone. I was and have been absolutely flattened by the flu. #nofilter.’

Months later, Anderson followed up by sharing a video in which he outlined his recent struggles.

He told his followers: ‘Just like you, search inside, find it for yourself, overcome the struggles, the tribulations, the pain that you are feeling.

‘Because there is no story without struggle.

‘Take it from me, I have struggled, and I struggle today, the same way you do, and we deal with it.

‘If I can help you deal with your struggles, then let’s do it together, let’s make this the first of many conversations, because you can’t do it on your own, you need help.

‘And I will say this one more thing to you, you can help others, in turn, it will help you. It’s called service.

‘So, turnaround my friend, look for somebody else who also is suffering, and hard as you may find it, help them, because you’ll find it helps you more, believe it or not.’

He finished: ‘Remember this, we are amazing. You are unbelievable.’

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is out in UK cinemas now.

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