The Peaky Blinders saga concludes with “The Immortal Man,” a Netflix film that brings Cillian Murphy back as Tommy Shelby while introducing new characters who challenge his legacy and force him into a battle against Nazi infiltrators. With Barry Keoghan as his estranged son Duke and Rebecca Ferguson as the enigmatic Kaulo, the film expands the Shelby family’s story in unexpected ways.
Four years after the Peaky Blinders series finale, Tommy Shelby returns in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, a Netflix film that serves as both an epilogue and a new chapter. The movie premiered on March 20, 2026, and immediately reshapes the franchise’s landscape by introducing a fresh wave of characters who threaten Tommy’s world and force him to confront a Nazi plot unfolding in 1930s Birmingham. This isn’t just a reunion—it’s a deliberate evolution, as series creator Steven Knight described the film as “the last few chapters of a long novel, where you get to round it off. And prepare people for what comes next.”
The original series built its legacy on the Shelby family’s intricate power struggles, but The Immortal Man shifts the battlefield. While Cillian Murphy reprises his iconic role, the new cast members inject unpredictable energy, representing both bloodline extensions and external dangers. Their arrival answers long-held fan wishes for a cinematic continuation while raising the stakes to a global scale. Here’s a breakdown of the key newcomers and why each matters to Tommy’s final stand.
Barry Keoghan’s Duke Shelby: The Prodigal Son Returns
Barry Keoghan steps into the role of Duke Shelby, Tommy’s adult son who has been absent until now. The official Netflix logline reveals that Duke becomes “embroiled in a Nazi plot” that draws Tommy back to Birmingham to “save his family — and his nation.” This immediately positions Duke not as a passive heir but as a catalyst for conflict, forcing Tommy to navigate fatherhood amidst political extremism.
Keoghan’s casting carries personal weight: he previously worked with Murphy on Dunkirk, and it was Murphy himself who recommended Keoghan for the role. In an exclusive interview with Empire, Keoghan expressed his long-standing desire to join the Peaky Blinders universe, calling the opportunity “the perfect moment” given Duke’s story. The on-screen reunion of Murphy and Keoghan adds layers of authenticity to the father-son tension, promising a dynamic where past collaborations inform present drama.
Rebecca Ferguson’s Kaulo: A Mysterious Force from Another World
Rebecca Ferguson portrays Kaulo, a character shrouded in mystery who is revealed as the twin sister of Duke’s late mother, Zelda. Ferguson explained on Today that Kaulo exists on the periphery of the Shelby family: “She is part of the family, but she’s also very separate. She comes from another kind of world.” Ferguson described Kaulo as a traveler with “old links,” hinting at connections that predate the Shelby gang’s rise.
Most strikingly, Kaulo speaks with an accent distinct from the Birmingham dialect, a creative choice Ferguson championed. “We thought if we do a different accent, it will separate her from the sort of frequency that we’re so used to [in Peaky Blinders],” she told Today, adding with a laugh, “I didn’t have to do Brummie. I sold it!” This linguistic separation visually and audibly marks Kaulo as an outsider, yet her blood tie to the Shelbys ensures she will disrupt the family’s internal dynamics.
Tim Roth’s John Beckett: The Face of British Fascism
Tim Roth delivers the film’s primary antagonist, John Beckett, a British Nazi sympathizer whose charm masks monstrous ideology. In an interview with Radio Times, Roth unpacked Beckett’s calculated persona: “He presents himself as a very reasonable guy with a good idea who just needs some help getting it done.” This portrayal directly engages with historical reality—fascism often spreads through seemingly respectable figures.
Roth emphasized the contemporary relevance of his character: “I thought it was the appropriate approach as fascism is sly. It’s a monstrous thing that’s cleverly brought about and, quite often, you don’t realize when you’re in the midst of it.” Beckett’s presence elevates the conflict from localized gang warfare to an ideological battle, testing Tommy’s moral compass as he faces an enemy wearing a suit rather than a flat cap.
Jay Lycurgo’s Elijah: The Gang’s Second-in-Command
Jay Lycurgo plays Elijah, Duke’s loyal second-in-command within the Peaky Blinders. Lycurgo previously collaborated with Murphy on the 2025 film Steve, but he described the Immortal Man set as a masterclass in acting. “When I saw Cillian in the suit for the first time, I was like, ‘Oh, I get it now! I get why it’s so iconic,'” Lycurgo told Radio Times. His character, Elijah, serves as a bridge between Duke and the gang’s traditional operations, representing the next generation’s brute force.
In a separate conversation with Esquire, Lycurgo reflected on the immersive experience: “To be with established actors that are so brilliant at their craft, you learn a lot, and it was great to be in that environment.” Elijah’s role ensures that even when Tommy is off-screen, the Peaky Blinders’ influence persists through a younger, more volatile cadre.
Ruby Ashbourne Serkis as Agnes Shelby: A New Shelby Emerges
Ruby Ashbourne Serkis joins the ensemble as Agnes Shelby, a member of the extended Shelby family. Her casting was confirmed by Deadline. Serkis brings her own lineage to the role; she is the daughter of acclaimed actors Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne. This real-life family pedigree mirrors the fictional Shelby dynasty, adding a meta-layer of legacy to the film’s exploration of blood and belonging.
Why This Matters: Legacy, Evil, and the Price of Family
The influx of new characters does more than fill screen time—it redefines what Peaky Blinders can be. Duke’s entanglement with Nazis physically pulls Tommy back into the fray, but Kaulo’s mysterious ties and Beckett’s political menace expand the narrative scope. The film asks: can a family built on criminal enterprise justify a war against fascism? Tommy’s journey from Birmingham gangster to national defender hinges on these new relationships.
Steven Knight’s novel analogy proves prescient. The series always blended personal drama with historical turbulence, and The Immortal Man amplifies this by setting the climax against the rising threat of 1930s fascism. The new characters act as both mirrors and foils to Tommy. Duke represents the legacy Tommy might lose, Kaulo embodies the family’s hidden past, Beckett personifies the evil Tommy must eradicate, and Elijah ensures the gang’s spirit endures. This isn’t a simple continuation; it’s a thematic summation that uses fresh faces to revisit the core question of the series: what does it cost to be a Shelby?
Fan Theories Meet Canon: The Immortal Man’s Satisfying Yet Swift Conclusion
After the series ended in 2022, fans clamored for a proper send-off, theorizing about Tommy’s redemption or downfall. The Immortal Man acknowledges these theories by delivering a decisive, high-stakes plot, but it also pushes the franchise forward. Murphy himself framed the project as a gift to fans, telling Netflix: “It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn’t finished with me. It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.”
The title “The Immortal Man” suggests that Tommy’s influence will outlive him, a concept embodied by the new generation. Duke, Agnes, and even the Nazi threat ensure that the Shelby ripple effect continues. For a community that has dissected every cap and coat for years, this film provides closure while leaving room for expansion—exactly as Knight promised when he said the movie would “prepare people for what comes next.”
As the credits roll, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man stands as a rare achievement: a legacy sequel that justifies its existence through character depth and historical urgency. The new cast doesn’t overshadow the originals; they refract Tommy’s legacy through fresh lenses, making this ending feel like a beginning for the universe itself. In a landscape crowded with revivals, this is how you honor a classic while boldly rewriting its future.
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