Barry Keoghan Explains Tommy Shelby’s Son In ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ [Exclusive]

by

Though the TV show Peaky Blinders recently ended, fans are excited for the next installment, which is coming as the film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. Cillian Murphy will be back as Tommy Shelby, along with several other actors from the original series. The movie will also explore the backstories of characters we’ve seen little of before, including Tommy’s son, Duke. Now that The Immortal Man is available on Netflix, the Oscar-nominated actor known for The Batman has shared some new details about the return of this previously unseen Shelby family member.

Duke, first appearing in Season 6, is Tommy Shelby’s son from a relationship outside of marriage, and was raised away from the Shelby family. This upbringing makes him distrustful of everything they stand for. In the upcoming continuation of the Peaky Blinders story, Duke will take a central role, bringing new mystery and complexity to the Shelby family as the backdrop is World War II. Though introduced relatively recently in the series, Duke is poised to be a key figure in the upcoming movie.

In a recent interview with MovieWeb, Barry Keoghan, who plays Duke Shelby in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, discussed what fans can expect from his character. He praised Conrad Louis Khan’s portrayal of Duke in Season 6 and explained that his version of Duke is more grown-up and has changed. Unlike before, he’s no longer focused on trying to be like Tommy Shelby. Instead, his storyline centers on his desire to connect with his father.

Watching Conrad now, so many years later, it’s amazing how much he’s grown. He seems so much more mature, and it’s clear he’s not trying to be Tommy. It feels like he’s really just searching for a connection with his dad, almost like he’s longing for him. I think by acting like his dad, he finds a little comfort and feels closer to him, and it’s like his dad’s spirit is still there with him.

Keoghan thinks Duke doesn’t fully grasp the consequences of being connected to the Shelby family, entering the film with a rebellious and nihilistic outlook. Although Duke needs to address problems with his father, their reconnection will be complex and filled with conflict and resolution.

That’s a good question. I don’t think he does. It seems like his behavior is a response to things happening around him, almost like he’s rebelling because of his relationship with his father. He hasn’t fully accepted his own maturity and needs to work through things with his dad, which will likely happen as his character develops. But no, he probably doesn’t resolve that issue right now.

Okay, so I just watched the first trailer for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, and it seems Duke is stepping up to lead the Peaky Blinders after Tommy. But he’s doing things his way – totally wanting to rebuild the gang and take them back to the glory days, like it’s 1919 all over again. Ada, Tommy’s sister, actually says that in the trailer, and it really sets the tone for how he’s running things – like a personal kingdom, not a family business.

In the new film, Rebecca Ferguson’s character confronts Cillian Murphy’s Tommy, accusing him of neglecting both his people and his family. This highlights the kind of ruler her character, Duke, intends to be. Duke openly admits to not caring about the world, believing the world feels the same way about him. His leadership promises to worsen existing global issues, particularly as fascism gains momentum.

The complex relationship between Tommy and Duke will likely be a major source of conflict and emotion in the film, leaving viewers to question how they’ll overcome their problems and restore the Peaky Blinders’ former strength. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is available to stream on Netflix starting March 20, 2026.

Read More

2026-03-20 15:33