Actor Jay Lycurgo, known for his role in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, recently spoke about reuniting with Cillian Murphy, highlighting how their collaboration differs from their previous work together on the indie film Steve. Lycurgo, 28, shared his thoughts during the Newport Beach Film Festival, where he was recognized as one of the breakout artists of the event.
In Netflix’s Steve, Lycurgo played a troubled student opposite Murphy, who portrayed an embattled school headteacher. This role contrasts sharply with Murphy’s iconic character Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, showcasing Murphy’s broad acting range.
From Indie Drama to Iconic Crime Figure: Contrasting Roles Explored
Lycurgo described Steve as a “very lost and fragile” character, emphasizing the different dynamics he experienced with Murphy in that film. On the festival‘s red carpet, he said,
“Steve as a character was very lost and fragile,”
and added,
“I feel like, me and him, we were on our own different processes and that is a whole different thing.”
Reflecting on Murphy’s role as Tommy Shelby, Lycurgo remarked with admiration,
“But Tommy Shelby… he’s so cool! 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’.”
This comment underscores the transformation Murphy undergoes to embody Shelby, a character known for his complexity and ruthless charm.
About Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man and Its Upcoming Release
The new spin-off series Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man continues the story beyond the original BBC drama, following Tommy Shelby as he faces the challenges of life in Britain during World War II. Set to debut in cinemas on Friday, March 6, 2026, it will have a two-week theatrical run before becoming available on Netflix later that same month.
The cast features established names alongside Lycurgo, including Rebecca Ferguson, known for Silo and Dune; Tim Roth, who appeared in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Tin Star; and Barry Keoghan, recognized for Saltburn and The Beatles.
Original Peaky Blinders stars Sophie Rundle, Stephen Graham, Ned Dennehy, and Packy Lee are also returning to reprise their roles, adding continuity to the beloved world created by the series.
Tommy Shelby’s Intense Journey in the New Series
The official synopsis from Netflix reveals the high stakes Tommy Shelby faces:
“Tommy Shelby is driven back from a self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet.”
It continues,
With the future of the family and the country at stake, Tommy must face his own demons, and choose whether to confront his legacy, or burn it to the ground.
This description highlights the intense and restless tone that the series is expected to maintain as Tommy navigates personal and political turmoil against the backdrop of wartime Britain.
The Anticipated Impact of the Spin-Off on the Peaky Blinders Franchise
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man follows the massive success of the original series and is poised to deepen the exploration of Tommy Shelby’s character while expanding the story during a turbulent historical period. Bringing together veteran actors like Cillian Murphy, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth with emerging talent such as Jay Lycurgo enriches the narrative and offers fresh perspectives.
The release strategy, combining a limited cinema run followed by Netflix streaming, aims to reach a broad audience and sustain excitement among Peaky Blinders fans worldwide. The continuation of the series promises to maintain the tension and intensity that have made the franchise a cultural phenomenon.
