Barry Keoghan is making a striking debut in the Peaky Blinders universe with the upcoming Netflix film, The Immortal Man, a highly anticipated spin-off centered on the iconic character Tommy Shelby.
In this new chapter, Keoghan plays Erasmus “Duke” Shelby, Tommy Shelby’s illegitimate son, abandoned by his famous father. Drawing deeply from his own life, the 33-year-old actor revealed that his performance was heavily influenced by his real-life relationship with his absent father.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Keoghan opened up about his and his brother’s childhood struggles, which involved being placed in separate foster homes after their mother battled drug addiction and eventually passed away. He explained how these personal experiences helped him understand and portray the complex dynamic between Duke and Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy.
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“It’s a real thing, stepping into the role of Tommy Shelby’s son,” Keoghan said. “The absence I leaned into reflects my own experience with my father. The echoes of that relationship helped me humanize Duke and express his vulnerabilities.”
He described Duke as a “livewire” — a character marked by violence and intensity, which Keoghan interprets as cries for help rather than excuses for behavior. “There’s an animalistic element of a cub searching for its dad,” he added. “That longing shapes Duke’s actions, from emulating Tommy’s persona when he isn’t there to the way he acts when they’re together.”
The Immortal Man will continue exploring the dark world of the Peaky Blinders gang in 1940s Birmingham, as Tommy Shelby is pulled back from exile during the turmoil of World War II. With Barry Keoghan’s emotionally charged portrayal, the film promises to add new depth to the legendary story.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man premieres on Netflix March 20.