Peaky Blinders creator talks contemporary importance of Tommy Shelby fighting fascism: “Look what happened last time”

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This article appears in TopMob magazine.

On March 20, 2026, when “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man” premieres on Netflix, Michael Hodges interviews Steven Knight, the show’s creator, about the latest thrilling chapter in Tommy Shelby’s (played by Cillian Murphy) story.

The film dwells on Tommy’s existential crisis before the big things happen — are you teasing us?

Cillian Murphy delivers a compelling performance, portraying a character grappling with deep internal struggles. You can almost hear the pull of his former life, a voice urging him to return to violence.

However, he does something good, and I wanted it to be a big something good.

The movie tells the story of Operation Bernhard, a Nazi scheme to print counterfeit British pounds during World War II. After the war, the Bank of England redesigned the £5 note, fearing that much of the forged money was already circulating in Britain.

Tommy’s decision to fight fascism has a contemporary resonance — did you intend that?

It’s intentional, but it’s always a shame when something you’ve created becomes relevant due to unfortunate events. I’ve noticed a pattern with my work – things I’ve written about often come true, which is why I avoid writing about major conflicts like a Third World War, because I believe it’s likely to occur.

It feels like 1939 all over again, and it’s a good reminder that people have often believed easy fixes will solve big problems. We should learn from history and remember what happened when that approach was tried before.

Many people might not be aware how badly Birmingham was blitzed until they see the film?

Yes, the bombing of the BSA arms factory shown at the start of the film actually happened. The workers who died that night had been given the option to take shelter, but they chose to stay because they felt their work was crucial. It shows that people are inherently good.

The British seem bad at remembering just how good they can be?

I truly believe that’s the kind of love for our country that really matters. It’s about honestly understanding our strengths and weaknesses, where we are now, and being ready to handle things ourselves if we have to. It also makes me wonder if we can live up to the example set by those who came before us – our parents and grandparents – and be just as strong and capable.

The film largely focuses on the interactions between the male characters, and it’s important to understand that their silence doesn’t mean they lack feelings. They simply express themselves without words.

I often explore the relationship between fathers and sons in my work, and it feels almost like a classic myth – a story about how painful experiences can be passed down through families. It’s strange how we all gradually start to resemble our fathers as we get older.

Does Barry’s performance as Duke demand another series or film?

Barry’s performance was incredible! I can’t talk about the specifics right now, but we are planning to continue the show and explore the family’s story further, because fans are eager for more.

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  • Steven Knight explains how Peaky Blinders film ended up quite different from his initial plans

Authors

Michael Hodges

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2026-03-13 19:04