The highly awaited Peaky Blinders movie, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released in theaters this past weekend and will be available on Netflix March 20th. While fans were thrilled to see Cillian Murphy reprise his role as Tommy Shelby alongside new cast members Rebecca Ferguson, Barry Keoghan, and Tim Roth, some were surprised by the absence of a beloved actor. Paul Anderson is now explaining why he didn’t return as Arthur Shelby for the film.
Although most of the original actors from Peaky Blinders reprised their roles in the new film – set in Birmingham in 1940 and featuring Tommy Shelby returning from exile to confront a major challenge – Helen Anderson, who played Polly Gray, does not appear. In a recent interview, Anderson shared that she was happy with how her character’s absence was addressed in the movie.
He shrugged, saying, “There’s not much I could do about it. I figured I’d let things play out.” He then shared what he believed would happen to Arthur.
He said he thought it was fantastic, explaining that it was a really impactful thing to witness – something you rarely see on television.
What Happens to Arthur in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man?
Without giving away too much of the plot, Arthur mainly represents Tommy’s feelings of guilt throughout the film. While some fans might be let down by this, the director explains it wasn’t entirely unexpected – though he was surprised by how popular the character became.
He explained that people generally expected Arthur to die. He was surprised, though, because despite sometimes being unpleasant and unkind to others in the show, the audience still seemed to like him.
Look, even though Arthur Shelby’s story reaches a certain point in this film, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him. The creator, Steven Knight, has hinted at a new Peaky Blinders series, and he’s suggested Arthur could definitely still be a part of that world. So, while this chapter might feel conclusive, don’t be surprised if we see more of him down the line.
He mentioned they’re planning two more seasons, but isn’t sure whether the show will follow a younger cast or a completely new group of Peaky Blinders. He explained that Tommy Shelby will likely still be a central character, and his influence will remain even if he, the creator, is no longer around.
Peaky Blinders Almost Ended Very Differently
The news about Anderson’s role in The Immortal Man isn’t the only update he shared regarding the series. He also mentioned that Peaky Blinders could have ended differently, but a crucial character’s death ultimately shaped the events that led to The Immortal Man.
Many viewers remember that Peaky Blinders began right after World War I. According to actor Tom Hardy, the show’s creator, Steven Knight, originally planned for the series to conclude as World War II was beginning, creating a parallel to the start of the first war.
Anderson described a planned ending to the show involving himself, Joe (who played John Shelby), and Cillian. The scene would have featured the sound of bells and air raid sirens as World War II began, with children going off to fight. Director Steve Knight explained the vision: the camera would pan over Birmingham as sirens announced war with Germany, bringing the series to a close. However, Anderson noted that plans have changed since then.
The show had to adjust its plans significantly after John Shelby died at the start of season four, following Cole’s departure after season three. This major character death altered the originally intended ending, leading to the continuation of the story in The Immortal Man film. So far, the film has been well-received, currently holding a 92% ‘Certified Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and will be available on Netflix starting March 20th.
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2026-03-11 05:40