How Cillian Murphy Landed His “Peaky Blinders” Role With a Hilarious 5-Word Text
Cillian Murphy: A Journey to Tommy Shelby’s Role
Cillian Murphy’s journey to becoming the iconic character of Tommy Shelby in “Peaky Blinders” was not as simple as it may seem. With a diverse acting career and notable roles in various films, Murphy found the challenge of portraying Shelby to be an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
A Unique Acting Challenge: Tommy Shelby
Before taking on the role of Tommy Shelby, Cillian Murphy had portrayed a wide range of characters, but the physically imposing, hyper-masculine type was uncharted territory for him. This contrasted with the roles he had played up to that point, making the character of Shelby all the more intriguing.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Murphy expressed his initial feelings towards the character, stating, “I’d never really played that physically imposing sort of hyper-masculine type character. In fact, I’d probably played the opposite up to that point. But I knew that it was such amazing material, and I knew that it was a gift of a role.”
The Mission to Score the Part
Murphy was determined to secure the role of Tommy Shelby by any means necessary. His dedication to proving his ability to embody the character led him to go above and beyond to impress Steven Knight and the “Peaky Blinders” team. This tenacity was in line with his career philosophy, as he stated, “I’ve always tried to do the unexpected or play roles that are challenging so that you never get trapped in a career.”
The Perfect Fit for Tommy Shelby
Ultimately, Cillian Murphy proved to be the perfect choice to bring Tommy Shelby to life, becoming the undeniable face of “Peaky Blinders.” His portrayal of the character added an undeniable depth and complexity to the series, cementing his integral role in its success.
Cillian Murphy’s journey to the role of Tommy Shelby in “Peaky Blinders” was a testament to his commitment to taking on unique challenges and delivering exceptional performances. His portrayal of Shelby remains a defining aspect of the series, solidifying his status as an essential figure in its narrative.