Renowned Irish actor Cillian Murphy has drawn a firm line between himself and his iconic Peaky Blinders character, Tommy Shelby, a role that has etched itself into pop culture over the past decade.
‘I’m Not a Psychopathic Gangster’ Says Cillian Murphy
Despite spending nearly 12 years portraying the brooding, razor-sharp Birmingham gangster, Murphy insists: “I am not a psychopathic gangster.”
Speaking to BBC News, the Oscar-winning star reflected on his time as Tommy, calling it “a gift and a privilege”, while stressing how far removed he is from the violent mastermind fans know so well.
Peaky Blinders Film: Plot Still Under Wraps
Fans eager for more Peaky Blinders action have reason to celebrate. A feature-length film continuation of the series is in the works, with Murphy returning as the fearsome Shelby. However, plot details are still being kept tightly under wraps.
“I think it’s better to keep it under wraps, keep it a surprise,” said Murphy, offering a teasing glimpse into the mystery surrounding the upcoming Netflix release, penned by series creator Steven Knight.
Despite defining his career, Cillian Murphy maintains a strong distance from his screen alter ego, Tommy Shelby, a role that continues to haunt, inspire, and surprise audiences worldwide.
A Defining Role – But Not the Only One
Since the series concluded in 2022, Murphy’s career has soared. From Small Things Like These to his Oscar-winning performance in Oppenheimer, the actor continues to take on layered, emotionally rich roles.
“To grow older with a character, you don’t really get to do that. “And that is the joy of long-form television,” he reflected.
Murphy acknowledged the cultural weight of Peaky Blinders, crediting its “magic” to a rare blend of timing, writing, and raw storytelling. “Mostly the writing, I think, but also it was a moment in time.”
New Film Steve Paints a Different Picture
Murphy is now promoting his latest cinematic venture, Steve, a hard-hitting drama set in a 1996 reform school. Taking place over a single chaotic day, the film explores the lives of troubled teens, dedicated educators, and the heavy burden of emotional trauma.
Murphy plays the titular Steve, a headteacher struggling with both the students’ crises and his own deeply buried demons.
A local MP’s visit, a morally dubious documentary crew, and devastating personal news for both Steve and a pupil named Shy (played by Jay Lycurgo) create a volatile mix of events that push everyone to breaking point.
‘A Love Letter to Teachers’
Describing Steve, Murphy said: “It’s a love letter to teachers, as they are custodians of the next generation.”
The film explores pressing issues, including:
- Men’s mental health
- Violence among youth
- The lasting effects of trauma
- Education in under-resourced systems
Although set 30 years ago, the themes remain strikingly relevant.
“It is just demonstrating that this stuff is always there. Everyone sees it through the prism of their own life experience,” he said.
Powerful Performances and Past Collaborations
Steve is adapted from Shy, a 2023 novella by Max Porter, who also wrote the screenplay. Murphy and Porter previously collaborated on the stage adaptation of Grief Is the Thing with Feathers.
Meanwhile, Jay Lycurgo, who stars opposite Murphy in Steve, is also set to appear in the forthcoming Peaky Blinders film. However, like Murphy, he’s keeping quiet on the details.
What’s Next for Murphy?
With Steve now in UK cinemas and heading to Netflix next month, and the Peaky Blinders film still shrouded in secrecy, one thing is clear: Cillian Murphy is nowhere near done surprising audiences.
Whether he’s playing a troubled schoolteacher, a nuclear physicist, or a Birmingham gangster, Murphy continues to challenge himself and defy expectations.
And if you’re expecting Tommy Shelby all over again? Think again.
