Cillian Murphy, 49, Steps Out With Cast of Peaky Blinders for Exciting Movie Premiere
Cillian Murphy was the star of the show in Birmingham as fans gathered for the world premiere of the new Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man. The red carpet event took place at Symphony Hall, where hundreds of spectators showed up wearing the series’ signature flat caps and tweed outfits to celebrate the franchise’s move to the big screen.
Murphy returned as Tommy Shelby, the role that made him a household name. The movie is set in 1940, with a more weathered Shelby coming back to Birmingham during World War II.
Speaking at the premiere, Murphy said it was important to host the event in the city. “It’s important for the fans and for Steven Knight, who crafted the story from personal family experiences. You can’t separate the two,” he explained.
Steven Knight, the creator of the series, emphasized the connection between Birmingham and the story. He said the city itself has always been a central part of the show’s identity. Knight also credited the franchise’s success to the fans, noting that the series grew mostly through word of mouth. “The fans have been the energy for the show from the very beginning,” he said.
In Cillian Murphy we trust. pic.twitter.com/KV4QmWcns9
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) March 2, 2026
The premiere included appearances by local icons like John Taylor of Duran Duran and some stars from Aston Villa and Birmingham City. However, the focus remained on the fans, many of whom had traveled long distances to celebrate the series’ history and culture.
To mark the occasion, the city added themed tributes, including a West Midlands Metro tram named for Steven Knight and the famous mechanical bull at the railway station temporarily sporting a giant flat cap.
The Immortal Man will have a limited two-week theatrical release before moving to Netflix on March 20. Knight explained that while people usually watch the series alone at home, the film gives fans a rare chance to experience it together on the big screen.
The story picks up with an older Tommy Shelby being pulled out of self-imposed exile to face a world descending into wartime chaos. The cast also includes Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, and Barry Keoghan, who plays Shelby’s estranged son, Duke.
Fans of the franchise have more to look forward to, as Netflix has greenlit two new series. One will follow the Shelby family during Birmingham’s post-war reconstruction in the 1950s, and the other will serve as a prequel exploring the gang’s origins.
The film acts as a bridge between the original six seasons and the future projects, ensuring the Peaky Blinders legacy continues. Murphy and Knight both made it clear that the story is deeply tied to the city of Birmingham, and the premiere was a celebration of both the series and its passionate fanbase.
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