First Picture of Cillian Murphy in the "Peaky Blinders" Movie

The time has finally come: filming has begun on the eagerly awaited "Peaky Blinders" movie and a first picture of Cillian Murphy has already been revealed!

This was published by Netflix. Murphy can be seen in his signature role of Tommy Shelby. What particularly catches the eye: Tommy has visibly aged. This should come as no surprise, as the "Peaky Blinders" film is set during the Second World War, several years after the events of the series.

Alongside Murphy, we will get to enjoy a remarkable cast: Rebecca Ferguson, "Saltburn" actor Barry Keoghan, Tim Roth and Jay Lycurgo have already been confirmed in as yet unknown roles.

The movie will be directed by Tom Harper, known for "The Aeronauts" and the action thriller "Heart of Stone" with Gal Gadot. It is being written by Steven Knight, the creator of the series. Filming is currently taking place in England, so a release in 2025 seems possible.

There are also growing rumors that two "Peaky Blinders" spin-offs are in the works. One is to be set after the events of the main series, while the other is to be a prequel of sorts and shed light on Aunt Polly's past.

An Overview of Cillian Murphy's Career

Cillian Murphy is one of the most versatile actors of his generation. The Irish actor has built an impressive career over the last two decades, shining in both indie productions and major blockbusters. Best known for his work with director Christopher Nolan and his iconic role in the series "Peaky Blinders", Murphy has embodied a wide range of characters - from the quiet, introverted hero to the ruthless villain. In this overview, we take a look at some of the most important films and projects in Cillian Murphy's career.

1. 28 Days Later (2002)

Cillian Murphy's international fame began with the end-time horror film "28 Days Later" by Danny Boyle. In the role of Jim, a man who wakes up after a coma to find a world destroyed by a virus, Murphy showed his talent for emotional depth and physical presence for the first time. The film revolutionized the zombie genre and established Murphy as a sought-after actor. In particular, his portrayal of a man who must survive in a world full of violence and death impressed critics and viewers alike. "28 Days Later" is still one of the most influential horror films of the 2000s.

2. Batman Begins (2005)

Murphy's collaboration with director Christopher Nolan began with "Batman Begins", the first part of the acclaimed Dark Knight trilogy. In the role of Dr. Jonathan Crane, better known as Scarecrow, Murphy presented one of the darkest villains in the DC universe. His portrayal of a psychopathic psychiatrist who develops a fear gas that conjures up his victims' worst nightmares was both disturbing and mesmerizing. Although he wasn't the main villain of the film, Scarecrow left a lasting impression and returned in the sequels "The Dark Knight" (2008) and "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012).

3. The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)

In this historical drama by Ken Loach, Cillian Murphy plays the role of Damien O'Donovan, a young doctor who turns against the British occupation during the Irish War of Independence and later against his own countrymen. "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and Murphy's performance as an idealist torn between loyalty to his family and his political convictions was acclaimed worldwide. The film highlights the brutal and often tragic realities of war and Murphy's nuanced portrayal of his character's inner conflict remains one of the best of his career.

4. Inception (2010)

Murphy further cemented his relationship with Christopher Nolan with "Inception". In the sci-fi thriller, he plays Robert Fischer, the heir to a powerful corporation who is the target of an infiltration of dreams. Although Murphy does not play the lead role, his character is central to the plot, and his emotional portrayal of a man struggling with the manipulation of his subconscious adds an important human dimension to the complex movie. "Inception" was a worldwide success and showed that Murphy could also hold his own in ensemble casts with Hollywood greats such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy.

5. Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)

It would be impossible to talk about Cillian Murphy's career without mentioning "Peaky Blinders". In the role of Thomas Shelby, the leader of the criminal Shelby family in 1920s Birmingham, Murphy delivered one of the most impressive and iconic TV performances of the last decade. Tommy Shelby is a multi-layered character – intelligent, ruthless and deeply traumatized inside. Murphy's intense acting, which shows both quiet moments of inner turmoil and explosive violence, made "Peaky Blinders" one of the most popular series worldwide. His performance was instrumental in keeping the series successful for six seasons. "Peaky Blinder"s remains one of the hallmarks of Cillian Murphy's career and firmly established him as an internationally acclaimed actor.

6. Dunkirk (2017)

In Christopher Nolan's war drama "Dunkirk", Cillian Murphy took on a relatively small but significant role. He plays a soldier who is rescued by a British ship after the evacuation of Dunkirk. Murphy embodies a man deeply traumatized by the horrors of war, leading to some of the film's most emotionally intense scenes. His portrayal of a soldier scarred by fear and panic shows how well Murphy can develop a strong presence even in small roles.

7. A Quiet Place Part II (2021)

In the sequel to the horror hit "A Quiet Place", Murphy takes on the role of Emmett, a man struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Murphy brings a new dynamic to the series, playing a character who is initially reluctant but eventually joins the main characters' family and proves to be an empathetic and courageous survivor. The movie was a box office success and Murphy's performance was praised as he managed to convincingly portray both the despair and hope of his character.

8. Oppenheimer (2023)

Once again, Cillian Murphy worked with Christopher Nolan - this time in the title role of "Oppenheimer", a biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the "father of the atomic bomb". The role marks Murphy's biggest leading role in a Nolan film. The film, which deals with Oppenheimer's moral and ethical conflicts during the construction of the atomic bomb, earned Murphy the Oscar for "Best Actor in a Leading Role".