‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ True Story & Modern Relevance Explained

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After a four-year hiatus, the world of Peaky Blinders is expanding with a new story, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, coming soon to Netflix. Cillian Murphy returns as Tommy Shelby, now living a secluded life in the countryside during World War II. He’s trying to write a book while still grieving the loss of his sister, Ruby. The story takes place six years after the original series ended and reunites Tommy with his brother Duke (Barry Keoghan), who has taken control of the Peaky Blinders and become involved in dangerous activities with ties to the Nazis.

Although Peaky Blinders is a work of fiction, it’s inspired by a genuine youth gang that existed in Birmingham, England, from the 1880s to the 1920s. The TV series primarily follows the gang’s activities beginning just after World War I, continuing through the 1920s and into the early 1930s. Because the show is rooted in history, it often draws comparisons to real-world events.

In a recent interview with MovieWeb, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man writer Steven Knight and actor Cillian Murphy discussed the film’s relevance to current events. Knight pointed out that World War II clearly defined good versus evil, but that distinction became lost in the realities of war. He believes this blurring of lines is particularly resonant with the complexities of the world today.

It’s a strange thing – the film feels relevant now, which is good for the film itself, but concerning for the world we live in. As a writer, you inevitably pick up on what’s happening around you – it’s unavoidable. When I began working on this, I saw World War II as a clear-cut conflict between good and evil, a time when right and wrong felt universally understood. But over time, that certainty started to fade. We’re no longer so sure that everyone agrees on what was right and wrong back then, and that’s why the film feels so timely, though sadly, it reflects a loss of that clear moral ground.


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Expanding on that, Murphy discussed how Knight envisioned telling a story set between World War I and World War II. He explained that his character, Tommy, is shocked by humanity’s constant drive towards violence. Tommy is not only grappling with global conflict, but also with personal struggles within his own family.

Steve always envisioned the story spanning from the start of World War I to the beginning of World War II, unfolding in Britain between those conflicts, and he successfully achieved that. For Tommy, the idea of history repeating itself within his lifetime is deeply shocking. The impact of the war – symbolized by the closure of the mall – forces him to re-evaluate his core beliefs and what truly matters to him. This draws him back into the conflict, where he must face everything from his past, especially his relationship with his son.

Although modern warfare uses much more advanced technology than it did 80 to 100 years ago, many things haven’t changed. Conflicts continue to happen around the world, and while they may not be as widespread as the World Wars, they still significantly affect people’s lives.

News cycles in the United States often create a lot of stress, no matter the subject. While Peaky Blinders has always been a powerful and dramatic show, The Immortal Man elevates it even further.

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2026-03-14 17:56