by Landing the role of Tommy Shelby on the hit BBC series Peaky Blinders was a career-defining moment for Irish actor Cillian Murphy. However, his journey to embodying the iconic Birmingham gangster was a gradual process that unfolded over a decade as the character and story evolved. Murphy had to fight for the part, undergo physical training, slowly inhabit the character, handle the emotional toll, and grow alongside Tommy Shelby season after season. His dedicated work resulted in one of the most mesmerizing and complex portrayals in television history.
The Audition and Preparation
By the time Peaky Blinders began filming in 2013, Murphy was already an established actor with roles in films like 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and Inception. However, landing the lead role of Tommy Shelby didn’t come easy. Series creator Steven Knight wasn’t entirely sold on Murphy during the audition process and had doubts about casting him as the tough Birmingham gangster. But Murphy was determined to prove himself for the part.
“I really had to fight for it. I remember going back in a couple of times and just begging for it, really,” Murphy said in an interview. His persistence paid off as Knight was eventually won over by Murphy’s passionate pursuit of the role. Once cast, Murphy knew embodying Tommy would require a physical transformation to look the part of a streetwise gang leader in post-World War I Birmingham.
He began lifting weights and doing intense physical training to add more bulk and muscle to his slimmer frame. Murphy also spent months perfecting Tommy’s distinct Brummie accent and dialect. Getting the accent right was crucial for the character’s authenticity and helped Murphy inhabit Tommy from the inside out. All the preparation laid the groundwork for Murphy to gradually step into the intimidating shoes of Peaky Blinders’ central figure.
Stepping into Tommy’s Shoes
Despite the training, Murphy has said fully inhabiting such an intense character like Tommy Shelby took time. “It took me a while to feel comfortable with him. I had to work on his physicality and the accent to make him believable,” Murphy explained. In the early seasons, he was still finding Tommy’s essence and figuring out how to portray his complex internal struggles beneath the hard exterior.
Knight’s writing also didn’t spell out every detail of Tommy’s psychology, so Murphy had to make intuitive choices to flesh him out. Viewers saw him gradually settle more confidently into Tommy’s mannerisms, from his piercing blue-eyed stare to the way he held himself with coiled strength even in repose. By the second season, Murphy was inhabiting the role with a natural command that sold Tommy Shelby’s menacing criminal genius.
The Intensity of Playing Tommy
While his performance grew more assured, the emotional toll of playing such an intense character took its own toll on Murphy. Tommy Shelby kept a tight lid on his emotions, but beneath remained a well of trauma from the war and the pressures of leading the Peaky Blinders criminal empire. Conveying all the turmoil constantly swirling beneath Tommy’s surface pushed Murphy to emotional extremes.
“There are times when it’s very draining. The intensity of the character and the intensity of the scenes is very wearing,” Murphy said. He found himself bringing the stress of Tommy’s life home with him after long days on intense shoots. To recover, Murphy immersed himself in low-key family time and other quiet activities to recharge between seasons. The emotional labor of the role proved a challenge Murphy consistently rose to meet over the years.
A Decade-Long Evolution
What started as a three-episode experiment developed into a global phenomenon that kept Murphy embodying Tommy Shelby for over a decade. This allowed for an rare, extended arc that saw both actor and character evolve greatly together over six seasons of Peaky Blinders. As Tommy faced new personal and criminal challenges, Murphy was able to bring new shades and depth to his performance.
Viewers witnessed Tommy transition from a ruthless young gang leader into a respected businessman and family man shouldering the weight of his empire and past. Murphy brought increasing gravitas, complexity and vulnerability to Tommy as the years passed. His investment in the role was such that when filming wrapped on the final season, Murphy said it felt like he was “losing a friend.” The decade-spanning journey transforming into and alongside Tommy Shelby stands as a masterclass in dedicated character acting.
Beyond Peaky Blinders
While Tommy Shelby will likely be his most indelible role, Murphy has diversified his career beyond Peaky Blinders throughout its run. This speaks to his range and work ethic as an actor constantly challenging himself with new roles that avoid being typecast. He’s starred in films like Dunkirk, Transe, and The Banshees of Inisherin alongside his TV work.
“I’ve always tried to do different things, otherwise I think I’d go crazy and the audience might get bored,” Murphy said. Upcoming projects include a lead role in a new Disney+ series. Versatility has allowed Murphy to build a strong career beyond just one defining part. His passionate pursuit and embodiment of Tommy Shelby over a decade also cemented his place among the small pantheon of truly great television actors.
Through dedicated physical preparation, the gradual inhabitation of character, withstanding emotional tolls, and growing alongside Tommy Shelby season after season, Cillian Murphy organically transformed into one of the most iconic roles in television history. His masterful performance as the complex and intense Thomas Shelby is a testament to the strong creative partnership Murphy forged with the character and story of Peaky Blinders over their decade-long journey together.
