No Cillian Murphy, no "Peaky Blinders"?

“A new era, a new generation, a new story. A new series. With the Shelby family right at its blood-soaked heart.” This is how the comeback is announced. What is kept a secret: Will Cillian Murphy return?

The Big Question: Can Peaky Blinders Survive Without Murphy?

The question has set the fandom on fire. Ever since the news broke that Peaky Blinders will continue with two new seasons and a film, fans have rushed to Instagram to celebrate – and to worry. Because at the heart of this gangster saga lies one man: Tommy Shelby.

Fans Speak Out

And the fans are blunt about it. “There is no Peaky Blinders without Thomas Shelby,” wrote one, pointing out the simple truth that the character has become inseparable from the show’s DNA.

Another added a dose of realism, noting that “Thomas Shelby was born in 1890. Therefore, he would be 63 years old in 1953. Sooo, it’s not a definite ‘no,’ or is it?”

Others are caught between doubt and hope: “I’m intrigued. It better have Cillian in it though!!”

The Weight of Expectation

This mix of excitement and anxiety highlights what’s at stake. The Shelbys can return, but can they really continue without the magnetic presence of Murphy’s Tommy?

The actor is confirmed as an executive producer, shaping the future of the franchise behind the scenes. But the silence about his on-screen role leaves fans restless and uncertain.

Reinventing the Shelby Legacy

The real question is this: can Peaky Blinders reinvent itself as a multi-generational crime epic, with or without Tommy leading the charge? Or will the absence of Murphy’s face under the iconic flat cap make the comeback feel like a hollow echo?

My Take: It Could Work — But It Must Respect Its Roots

I believe Peaky Blinders can survive and even thrive without Murphy — but only if it does so smartly:

• Reimagine rather than replace. Don’t shoehorn a “new Tommy,” but build a new axis — possibly next-generation Shelbys or allies/foes rising in the Shelby mythos.

• Use Murphy’s producer role to guide transitions. Let his influence remain behind the scenes, shaping tone, world, and continuity, without needing him onscreen.

• Lean into ensemble and new storytelling arcs. Give weight to characters who haven’t had the spotlight before.

• Honor themes over personalities. The show’s core has always been about ambition, power, loyalty, betrayal — those don’t depend on one man.

At its best, Peaky Blinders has always been more myth than character. If the revival is bold, respectful, and creatively daring, it might just prove that the Shelby legacy is bigger than any one performance. But let's hope that we won't have to do without Murphy's performance after all ...

Can "Peaky Blinders" work without Cillian Murphy?

• Yes, he is on board as a producer and knows what fans want!
• That's a big NO!