The era of the Peaky Blinders has reached its definitive conclusion. On March 20, 2026, Netflix released The Immortal Man, a feature-length film that serves as the final chapter for Cillian Murphy’s iconic Tommy Shelby. Following the series’ 2022 finale, the film picks up in 1940, amidst the Blitz in Birmingham, as a grief-stricken and isolated Shelby is forced out of his self-imposed exile to confront the crumbling legacy of his criminal empire.
The Passing of the Torch to Barry Keoghan
Central to the narrative is the strained relationship between Tommy and his illegitimate son, Duke, portrayed by Barry Keoghan. Having taken over the Peaky Blinders in his father’s absence, Duke has led the gang into a dangerous alliance with a British fascist, John Beckett, played by Tim Roth. Keoghan’s performance as the volatile, status-seeking heir provides the film’s primary friction, contrasting sharply with the weary, redemption-seeking arc of his father. The film explores the heavy cost of the Shelby name, with Duke’s struggle to escape the shadow of a man who, until now, seemed truly immortal.
A Final Reckoning for the Shelby Legacy
The film addresses the notable absence of Arthur Shelby, confirming his death off-screen—a departure that serves as a catalyst for Tommy’s initial withdrawal from the world. As Tommy returns to Birmingham, the plot weaves in historical elements, specifically a Nazi scheme to destabilize the British economy using counterfeit currency, an operation that forces a final, violent reunion between the surviving Shelbys. The title, The Immortal Man, refers to the memoir Tommy spends his isolation writing, a cautionary document left for Duke that serves as the thematic anchor for the film’s conclusion.
The Future of the Peaky Blinders Universe
While this film closes the book on Tommy Shelby, the franchise is far from finished. Creator Steven Knight has confirmed that the story will continue through a new generation, with development already underway for a series set in the 1950s. For fans, the film offers a somber, stylistic send-off that prioritizes closure over spectacle, cementing the legacy of the Birmingham-based crime saga while clearing the board for the next iteration of the Peaky Blinders mythos.
The arrival of this film signals a pivot point for the IP; by successfully transitioning from the hyper-stylized ‘bro-core’ aesthetic of the original series to a more melancholic, character-driven epilogue, the production attempts to secure the long-term viability of the brand as it prepares to expand into a new, post-Shelby era.