Adrien Brody Tried to Stay in Peaky Blinders—Was Cillian Murphy the Reason?

Adrien Brody and Cillian Murphy’s paths crossed in a memorable collaboration on the BBC series Peaky Blinders, a gritty crime drama set in post-World War I Birmingham. Brody played the menacing Luca Changretta, an Italian-American mobster, during the show’s fourth season in 2017, while Murphy portrayed the iconic lead, Thomas Shelby, across all six seasons. Their on-screen rivalry became a pivotal storyline, showcasing their incredible acting chemistry. Yet, beyond this project, the two stars have not shared other significant collaborations.

However, their connection resurfaced during the 97th Academy Awards in March 2025, where Murphy, having won the Best Actor Oscar the previous year for Oppenheimer, presented Brody with the award for his role in The Brutalist. This moment, rich with emotion and camaraderie, was captured on stage, and lip readers soon highlighted Murphy’s offhand compliment to Brody, saying, “Man, you’re bl***y brilliant.” This interaction sparked renewed interest in their professional dynamic, leading many to wonder about Brody’s views on Murphy’s natural talent, particularly in their Peaky Blinders days.

Despite extensive searches and investigations into past interviews and media appearances, no direct statements from Brody about Murphy’s acting prowess were found. While Brody has openly expressed his admiration for the Peaky Blinders cast, including his praise for the show and his desire to return as Luca Changretta after season 4, none of these comments specifically addressed Murphy’s skills as an actor. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Brody described his role in the series as a “dream,” sharing his frustration over the character’s death and his longing for a return. However, this commentary centered on his own experience and did not include Murphy.

Further research into behind-the-scenes featurettes and interviews failed to uncover any direct mentions of Murphy from Brody. The interviews typically focused on Brody’s experience in Peaky Blinders, his portrayal of Luca, and his interactions with the ensemble cast. While these discussions demonstrated Brody’s deep appreciation for his role, they did not reveal his thoughts on Murphy’s talents.

The Oscars moment in 2025, where Brody and Murphy shared the stage, added another layer to their relationship, with media outlets speculating about the dynamic between the two actors. Articles from The Mirror US, Irish Star, and Bored Panda covered Murphy’s reaction to Brody’s lengthy acceptance speech, noting his facial expressions during the event. Yet, no post-Oscars interviews with Brody were found where he discussed Murphy in depth. Brody’s interviews after the ceremony, including those with Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, focused primarily on his own career and his award-winning role in The Brutalist, not on his co-star’s acting talents.

While there are no direct statements from Brody regarding Murphy’s natural ability, the professional respect between the two is undeniable. Brody’s reflections on his role in Peaky Blinders highlight the importance of the talented ensemble he worked with, and the general admiration for Murphy in the industry supports the inference that Brody likely shares similar views on his co-star’s exceptional talent. Notably, Peaky Blinders director Danny Boyle has lauded Murphy for his skill, noting how he had grown into a “seriously accomplished actor” by the time of Sunshine. With this context, it’s clear that Brody and Murphy’s professional bond is built on a foundation of mutual respect, even if Brody has not explicitly commented on Murphy’s abilities.