The Heartbreaking Reason Cillian Murphy Had to Rewatch “Peaky Blinders” – And It’s Not What You Expect

Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders has become iconic, with the character’s steely gaze and complex demeanor making him one of the coolest antiheroes in television history. As the leader of the infamous Shelby crime family, Tommy faced off against rivals, corrupt police officers, and even far-right Nazi groups, solidifying the show’s place as one of the most compelling crime dramas of the last decade. But while audiences find it easy to revisit the gritty world of Peaky Blinders, Murphy himself finds it much more challenging to rewatch his own performance. In a recent interview with GQ Magazine, Murphy opened up about the difficulties he faces when revisiting the show, especially after the series wrapped with its final season in 2022.

The Challenge of Watching Himself

Despite Peaky Blinders becoming a defining role in Murphy’s career, watching his own portrayal of Tommy Shelby has never been easy for the actor. “It’s hard to watch yourself,” Murphy admitted, acknowledging the awkwardness of revisiting his performance on-screen. However, as he transitioned into a producer role for the series, he found himself in a position where rewatching was no longer optional. “Since I started producing — I was a producer on Peaky — you kind of have to,” he explained. “It kind of takes the curse off of it.”

The shift to producing allowed Murphy to approach the show from a more objective perspective. “It was very nice watching it because it was actually quite a good show,” he reflected, hinting that the experience of rewatching was somewhat more enjoyable now that he had the opportunity to view it as a whole project, rather than just his individual performance.

The Emotional Weight of Helen McCrory’s Absence

One of the most difficult aspects of revisiting Peaky Blinders for Murphy, however, was confronting the absence of his co-star and friend, Helen McCrory, who played Polly Gray, Tommy Shelby’s formidable aunt and a key figure in the series. McCrory tragically passed away in 2021, just before the production of the show’s final season. As Murphy rewatched the series to prepare for the upcoming Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man, he found himself reflecting on McCrory’s extraordinary work.

“It was also quite heartbreaking, you know, because I was watching Helen McCrory, and we lost her,” Murphy shared. He explained how the emotional weight of her absence affected him as he revisited her powerful performances. McCrory had been a pivotal part of the Peaky Blinders cast from the beginning, and her loss resonated deeply with the cast, crew, and fans alike.

Murphy continued, “But you can distance yourself from it and look at and say, ‘Right, that’s the atmosphere we want. That’s the look we need, that’s the silhouette, and that’s the energy we need from it.'” This reflection on McCrory’s work underscored how crucial her presence had been to the show’s energy and tone. As Murphy prepares for the next chapter in the Peaky Blinders saga, he recognizes the need to carry that same energy into the upcoming film.

Preparing for The Immortal Man

With Peaky Blinders officially wrapped up, the next step for Tommy Shelby and the gang is the highly anticipated film, The Immortal Man. Though details about the movie are being kept under wraps, it is expected to continue the Shelby family’s journey, picking up where the show left off. Murphy teased that the film would demand even more intensity and energy than the series had. “We need to turn it up for the movie, obviously,” he said, acknowledging the heightened expectations that come with transitioning from the small screen to the big screen.

While the specifics of The Immortal Man remain largely unknown, the film promises to bring new faces to the world of Peaky Blinders, with actors like Rebecca Ferguson, Barry Keoghan, and Tim Roth joining the cast. Fans can expect to see how these new characters interact with the Shelby family, and whether they can handle the high-stakes world of old-school gangsters. The movie is set to premiere on Netflix in 2025, and it will be intriguing to see how the legacy of Peaky Blinders continues in this next chapter.

Conclusion

For Cillian Murphy, Peaky Blinders has been a transformative role that propelled him into the spotlight as one of the most respected actors of his generation. Yet, despite his immense success and the critical acclaim surrounding the series, the emotional challenges of rewatching his own work—especially in the wake of Helen McCrory’s tragic passing—have made it a difficult task. As the Peaky Blinders legacy moves into the next phase with The Immortal Man, fans and Murphy alike will undoubtedly be reflecting on the impact of the series and eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Shelby family’s story.