Netflix's acclaimed series "Peaky Blinders" returns with a feature-length film, "The Immortal Man," continuing the tumultuous journey of Tommy Shelby seven years after the Season 6 finale. Directed by Tom Harper and penned by Steven Knight, the film sees Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy reprise his iconic role. Collider’s Steve Weintraub sat down with Murphy and Academy Award nominee Barry Keoghan, who joins the universe as Tommy’s son, Duke Shelby, to discuss this highly anticipated expansion.

Set in 1940 amidst the upheaval of World War II, the narrative finds the legendary Tommy Shelby in self-imposed exile, haunted by his past. However, the present demands his return when his son, Duke Shelby, determined to uphold a legacy, inadvertently entangles himself and the Peaky Blinders with a sinister faction. This forces Tommy to step back into the fray, confronting new dangers and old demons. The cast also features notable talents like Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, Sophie Rundle, and Stephen Graham.

The casting of Barry Keoghan as Duke Shelby stemmed from a casual yet significant exchange. Murphy revealed that he extended the offer to Keoghan via a Father’s Day text, following their initial collaboration on Christopher Nolan’s "Dunkirk." Both actors confirmed this unconventional casting method, with Keoghan expressing his delight at the message. Murphy emphasized that Keoghan was the unanimous "first choice" for the role, recognizing the need for a special actor who could not only embody the character but also visually convey a familial resemblance to Tommy, including sharing "similar cheekbones" and looking good in a three-piece suit.

A central element of "The Immortal Man" is Tommy Shelby's decision to write a book. Murphy provided insight into this new facet of his character, explaining it as a "natural reaction to reaching a certain stage in your life to reflect on it and try to make sense of it all." He elaborated that for the first time, Tommy has stopped moving forward, allowing "all the noise, all the trauma, all the pain, all that guilt" to rush back in. Murphy views this writing process as a form of "self-therapy," through which Tommy hopes to find meaning, perhaps for his sons, and potentially influence the future trajectory of the Peaky Blinders universe.

One of the film's most memorable and visceral scenes involves a brutal fight in the mud between Tommy and Duke. Barry Keoghan recounted the intensity of filming this sequence, describing how he physically prepared by punching the ground, resulting in minor injuries and concerns about mud entering his wounds. Murphy, though concerned for Keoghan, acknowledged the scene's "very, very Peaky" nature. He highlighted its significance as the only way the estranged father and son, who haven't seen each other in years, can truly communicate their deep-seated emotions. Their inability to express their feelings verbally, even in the final scene, creates a powerful "impediment to communication" that Murphy finds deeply moving.

Beyond "Peaky Blinders," both actors have exciting future projects. Cillian Murphy confirmed his next collaboration with Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle. Barry Keoghan, while unable to discuss "The Batman 2," shared his profound experience playing Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes' upcoming Beatles biopics. He described it as an "emotional" and "spiritual" journey, fueled by extensive research and interactions with Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. Keoghan also praised working alongside cinematographer Greig Fraser and Sam Mendes, noting how the experience has significantly advanced his photography skills. "Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man" is currently available for streaming on Netflix.