Barry Keoghan Peaky Blinders fans eagerly await the arrival of the actor’s new character in Netflix’s upcoming project, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, set for release on March 6, 2026. Keoghan plays Duke, the illegitimate son of Tommy Shelby, raising questions about whether he can rival the formidable legacy of Cillian Murphy‘s iconic role as Shelby.
Keoghan’s recent work in Emerald Fennell’s thriller Saltburn offers a revealing glimpse into his ability to embody characters enacting psychological warfare, which sets expectations high for his portrayal of Tommy Shelby’s son in the gritty world of Birmingham crime.
Barry Keoghan’s Breakthrough in Saltburn: Dismantling an Aristocratic Family From Within
In the tense and unsettling thriller Saltburn, Barry Keoghan plays Oliver Quick, an unassuming social outsider who infiltrates a wealthy British family estate. Unlike a traditional antagonist armed with violence or force, Oliver uses subtle manipulation to destroy the family’s cohesion from the inside. The film is set in the early 2000s, a time just before smartphones made faking an identity nearly impossible, which Oliver exploits to craft a fabricated, tragic backstory that captivates the family.
Oliver’s tactic is quietly insidious: he studies the family’s habits, exploits their weaknesses, and gradually undermines their unity. His presence is so unobtrusive that the family regards him as a harmless curiosity, blind to the threat he poses. This slow erosion of power is visualized through the movie’s tight, boxy framing, making the sprawling mansion resemble a gilded prison where the oppressive atmosphere grows heavier as the story unfolds.
The film’s cinematography plays a critical role in conveying Oliver’s creeping influence. It relies heavily on extreme close-ups that reveal the characters’ minute expressions—sweat, nervous ticks—which heighten the feeling of intimate yet uncomfortable voyeurism. The lighting shifts from bright, idyllic summer scenes on the estate’s lawn to dark, claustrophobic interiors, symbolizing the contrast between the family’s glamorous facade and the sinister reality beneath it.
Oliver’s victim family, caught in their own boredom and privilege, completely underestimate his capability for destruction. Keoghan’s portrayal captures a pathological liar who, while appearing harmless, methodically and mercilessly tears down his targets, embodying a chilling blueprint for undermining even the most untouchable legacies.
The Power of Psychological Control in Keoghan’s Performance
What sets Keoghan apart in Saltburn is his mastery of sustained stillness and eye contact, traits that evoke the cold intensity often associated with Shelby men. His character’s menace is not displayed through overt aggression but through an unnerving emotional equilibrium that leaves others feeling compelled to respond to him.
Oliver mirrors the desires of those around him: he offers dangerous attention to the lonely daughter while flattering the bored mother, adapting to each mood with patience and precision. The film’s infamous bathtub scene highlights this parasitic need for control, as Oliver engages in a disturbing ritual that symbolizes his obsessive desire to absorb the privilege and identity of his wealthy hosts.
The film closes with Oliver confidently shedding his false submissive persona, nakedly celebrating his hostile takeover of the estate by hauntingly wandering its empty halls. This triumphant yet unsettling victory underscores Keoghan’s ability to portray layered psychological threats, marking him as an actor skilled in capturing complex villainy through calculated nuance.
Such a performance suggests that the character of Duke Shelby in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man will likely carry shades of Oliver’s unsettling composure and quiet menace, especially visible through Keoghan’s trademark blank, unreadable stare.
Duke Shelby’s Unique Danger as Tommy’s Son
Unlike Oliver Quick, who is an outsider infiltrating a dynasty, Duke Shelby’s danger is rooted in his inherent connection to the Shelby bloodline and its violent history. His role in the upcoming series marks a pivotal shift, as he embodies the criminal empire’s next generation, with inherently more volatile potential given his family ties and shared brutal nature.
Tommy Shelby’s discovery of Duke as an illegitimate son radically reorients the story’s trajectory, but much about Duke’s character remains underexplored. From the recent trailer, Duke appears to lead the gang with a feral, lawless energy reminiscent of the 1919 era, eschewing the order and rules Tommy once imposed.
His nihilistic, reckless attitude positions Duke as a force deeply vulnerable to external threats like the rising fascism gripping wartime Britain. The soot-stained, industrial streets of 1940s Birmingham will serve as a fitting backdrop for his violent brand of leadership, promising a darker and bloodier chapter in the Shelby saga.
With Tommy returning from exile amid these tense circumstances, a confrontation between father and son seems inevitable, adding layers of danger and emotional complexity. Tommy Shelby has long been regarded as untouchable, making the question of who could rival his iconic presence a constant source of fan speculation.
Comparing Keoghan’s Presence With That of Cillian Murphy
Keoghan’s performance in Saltburn and his other films like The Banshees of Inisherin and Matt Reeves’ The Batman have demonstrated his ability to convey a magnetic and raw emotional weight without relying on overt dramatics. This skill makes him uniquely qualified to stand opposite Cillian Murphy without diminishing the legendary screen presence Murphy commands as Tommy Shelby.
He’s just so compelling. He’s got a kind of sex appeal and a vulnerability and a physical presence and a sort of darkness, or he can at least communicate these things in a way that is very rare.
— Emerald Fennell, Director
Keoghan’s craft focuses on moments of quiet domination and subtle manipulation, proving he can command a scene with a dead-eyed stare and minimal movement, much like Murphy’s portrayal. This nuanced, intense style is expected to redefine the dynamics within the Peaky Blinders universe, making Duke’s role integral to the series’ future.
Whether Duke seeks to emulate his father or carve out his own path remains to be seen, but Barry Keoghan’s proven ability to portray calculated, dangerous characters ensures his presence will be a significant and compelling addition to Birmingham’s violent landscape in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
