Exclusive: Peaky Blinders boss Steven Knight explains why Duke Shelby was recast for the movie

The new film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, is now playing in some UK cinemas. As fans saw in the trailer, Duke Shelby has a changed appearance compared to the end of season six.

So, in the last season of Peaky Blinders, they introduced Tommy Shelby’s secret son, Duke, played by Conrad Khan. Honestly, I was surprised he made it through! But he did, and by the end, he was a solid part of the Peaky Blinders crew. Then, in the movie, it turns out that while Tommy was off doing his own thing, Duke actually took over as the leader of the gang. It was pretty cool to see that happen!

The character of Duke is now played by Barry Keoghan, not Khan. Steven Knight, the writer of Peaky Blinders and the movie, explained to Digital Spy that this change in actors happened because the story jumps forward six years in time.

Knowing when the character appeared in the timeline helped us determine who we needed to cast, but as soon as we saw the initial footage, it became clear we’d found the perfect person – no one else could have played the role.

There’s no doubt it had to be him – he perfectly fits every requirement, and even exceeds them. The image of Barry and Cillian sitting at a bar, sharing a quiet drink and a look, without a word spoken, is simply wonderful.

What to Read Next

Keoghan had always hoped to be on the show, but it never quite aligned until he was offered the role of Tommy’s son. He accepted immediately – he was thrilled to take the part.

With the new Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man, coming out soon, creator Steven Knight has shared the three episodes fans should rewatch if they’re short on time. Cillian Murphy has also discussed his reasons for returning to the role.

Honestly, I thought the movie really had to earn itself. I’m a huge fan of how season 6 ended – Tommy riding off into those peaceful hills left you wondering what happened to him and if we’d ever see him again. It was perfect, and the movie needed to feel worthy of that ending.

When creating a film based on the series, it was important to not only capture its feel but also elevate it. The series is already very visually impressive, but we wanted to make the film even more expansive and grand.

The new Peaky Blinders movie, ‘The Immortal Man’, is currently playing in some cinemas and will be available to stream on Netflix starting March 20th.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a vibrant 100-page tribute to Harry Styles, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online.

Read More

2026-03-06 15:19