Cillian Murphy Shocked Fans with How Many Cigarettes He Smoked on ‘Peaky Blinders’

Cillian Murphy, famous for playing Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, once revealed just how many cigarettes he smoked while filming the series.

Although he doesn’t smoke in real life, Murphy said he went through about 3,000 herbal cigarettes each season to stay true to his character. With six seasons of the show, that adds up to roughly 18,000 cigarettes over the series’ run.

Murphy told The Guardian, “I’ve smoked so many fake cigarettes for Peaky and this. My next character will not be a smoker. They can’t be good for you. Even herbal cigarettes have health warnings now.”

He also joked about calling them his “five a day” because of how often he used them on set.

The production team used herbal cigarettes to reduce health risks. These cigarettes are commonly used in movies and TV shows to mimic smoking without the dangers of tobacco. However, even herbal cigarettes are not completely harmless, as some studies suggest they could still cause health issues over time.

Murphy’s dedication highlights the physical demands of playing Tommy Shelby, who was almost always seen with a cigarette. His experience shows the lengths actors go to achieve authenticity in period dramas, especially when portraying habits that were common in the 1920s.

Playing a character who smokes constantly is not easy, even with substitutes. Murphy’s confession gives fans a glimpse of the challenges behind the scenes and the commitment required to bring a character like Tommy Shelby to life.

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