Irish actor Barry Keoghan disclosed how he landed the role of Duke Shelby, Tommy Shelby’s son, in the film “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man,” which is currently showing in cinemas and will be released on Netflix worldwide on March 20. During an interview on the Pat Kenny Show, Keoghan explained that a simple message wishing Cillian Murphy a Happy Father’s Day led to him being offered the part.
Keoghan said,
“I was a massive fan of the series,”
revealing he texted Murphy directly, who then invited him to join the project.
“He got back to me and asked me if I wanted to play his son in the Peaky Blinders movie. It was a no brainer. He’s Cillian Murphy, I’d work with Cilian Murphy on anything.”
Insights into Duke Shelby’s Character and Personal Connections
The 33-year-old actor from Summerville shared anecdotes about their resemblance when he and Murphy were mistaken for father and son after filming Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. Keoghan reflected on the emotional depth he brought to his portrayal of Duke by drawing from his own life experiences.
He noted,
“I’ve definitely learned that family isn’t necessarily blood,”
expressing empathy for the character’s struggles.
“I’ve learned that everyone is human, everyone has problems. I can see the similarities between me and Duke in the way that he is crying out for help and has this attitude of ‘Why me?’ and F the world. I had all of that growing up.”
Keoghan described their parallel journeys, especially relating to absent parents and the path toward healing.
“We’re all just trying to at the end of the day – that’s in reference to my parents who weren’t there. When you get older you realise that you’re on a similar journey to your mom in terms of, of, you know, getting better and being sober.”
Regarding parenthood, he added,
“Once you have a kid, you put yourself in their shoes, there’s a forgiveness in that.”
His Approach to Acting and the Role’s Complexity
Keoghan described his acting philosophy as a commitment to authentic storytelling.
“My desire to tell stories I can put myself into and bring forward a truth and a vulnerability that doesn’t feel forced,”
he explained.
He characterized Duke Shelby as more than just a troublemaker.
“On paper Duke is Tommy Shelby’s son and he’s a menace,”
Keoghan said, adding,
“When you’ll watch the movie, it’ll change your perspective on a young menacing lad. It won’t justify his actions, but you’ll see he has a heart and there’s an innocence there.”
Using His Platform to Inspire and Support Others
Beyond his acting career, Keoghan expressed a strong desire to be a positive influence on young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“There’s no secret to [my success], I want kids who grew up in disadvantaged areas to know that it’s not out of arms reach,”
he stated.
He emphasized the importance of encouragement for youth, saying,
“Kids look for approval and assurance. Giving them encouragement when they do something is important.”
Keoghan aims to engage with communities directly rather than just maintaining a social media presence.
“I want to, as much as I can, get involved with communities and use my profile that way rather than just being on Instagram or attending events.”
Release and Availability of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
The film “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man” opened in cinemas on Friday and is set to become available globally on Netflix from March 20. Barry Keoghan’s portrayal of Duke Shelby adds a new dimension to the Peaky Blinders universe, exploring the challenges and humanity of Tommy Shelby’s son.
