Cillian Murphy Asked Barry Keoghan to Play His Son in “Peaky Blinders” on Father’s Day

**Cillian Murphy Reunites with Barry Keoghan in ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’**

Cillian Murphy has marked a delightful reunion with actor Barry Keoghan, his former colleague from the film Dunkirk, in the latest instalment of the beloved Peaky Blinders franchise. In the forthcoming movie, *Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man*, Murphy reprises his acclaimed role as Tommy Shelby, while Keoghan takes on the character of Duke Shelby, Tommy’s estranged son.

Murphy, 49, shared the story of how he approached Keoghan for the role through a Father’s Day text message, during a recent appearance on the Late Night with Seth Meyers show. “It was Father’s Day,” he recalled. “We’ve known each other since we worked on Dunkirk, where he was just a kid. I hadn’t been reminded that it was Father’s Day, but Barry and I were in touch, and he texted me to see how I was doing.”

The casting decision came about in a rather informal fashion, as Murphy explained, “I texted him back and said, ‘Do you want to play my son in Peaky Blinders?’ There was a moment of typing—then he said, ‘Yeah.’ He was really interested.” The humorous exchange was underscored by Meyers, who jested that Murphy’s own sons may have missed a chance at acting simply by not reaching out on that particular day. “I’m easy that way,” Murphy quipped in response.

Set in the early 20th century, *Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man* sees Murphy’s character being drawn back to Birmingham amidst a Nazi plot that involves his son Duke. Keoghan, 33, has stepped into a role previously portrayed by actor Conrad Khan during the series. A Netflix logline describes the film as exploring the complexities of familial relationships against a backdrop of national conflict, with Tommy Shelby compelled to save both his family and his country.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Murphy reflected on the significance of embodying Tommy Shelby for a significant portion of his career. First introduced in the U.K. television series in September 2013, Murphy expressed how the character has become part of his identity. “I’ve played Tommy for over a quarter of my life,” he said, highlighting the character’s inherent struggles and fallibility. “Most people are trying to do the right thing, but they get derailed, make mistakes, and then have to get back on course.”

The excitement surrounding the film has been palpable, particularly given the enduring popularity of the Peaky Blinders series. Murphy has noted that he responds to characters who struggle with their moral complexities, citing his role in Christopher Nolan’s *Oppenheimer* as another profound example of this theme. “In that struggle, there is great drama,” he explained, pointing to how characters grapple with their choices while striving for goodness.

Murphy and Keoghan first crossed paths at the premiere of *Dunkirk* in 2017, where Murphy lauded Keoghan’s talent, calling him an “extraordinary talent.” Over the years, their friendship has blossomed, with Murphy expressing pride in Keoghan’s achievements. “It’s been wonderful to see him grow as an actor,” Murphy remarked.

*Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man* has been released in limited theatres and is set to be available for global streaming on Netflix on March 20. As fans eagerly anticipate the new chapter in the Peaky Blinders saga, the reunion of Murphy and Keoghan only adds to the excitement surrounding this cinematic continuation of a much-loved series. The film promises to deliver the compelling narrative and complex characters that have defined Peaky Blinders, further exploring the intricacies of family loyalty and personal sacrifice amidst chaotic times.