The world of ‘Peaky Blinders‘ may be expanding, but according to Barry Keoghan, stepping into the shoes of the iconic Tommy Shelby is not something he intends to do.
With the franchise still being discussed for its future after the long-running series and the upcoming film, Keoghan has clarified that any role he would play would take the story in a different direction, rather than attempting to recreate what Cillian Murphy did.
Barry Keoghan Thinks ‘Peaky Blinders’ Can Continue Without Replacing Tommy Shelby
Murphy as Tommy Shelby made the character one of the most memorable antiheroes in television. Of course, the thought of someone replacing him is accompanied by tremendous expectations. Keoghan, though, appears to be very conscious of that pressure, and he does not seem to be interested in pursuing it. Rather, the actor thinks that the future of the Shelby story may be with another character altogether.
Related: Cillian Murphy Opens Up About The Painful Reason He Can’t Rewatch ‘Peaky Blinders’
Discussing the prospect of the franchise being continued, Keoghan admitted that it would be a very difficult task to replace Cillian’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby. “It’s a lot to follow Tommy Shelby. I don’t even want to attempt that. But Duke is a different sort of Shelby,” he told Variety. Instead of trying to fill those shoes, he proposed that the story would be developed by another member of the Shelby family.
For fans, Tommy is not merely a protagonist; he is the heart of ‘Peaky Blinders’. The character was the heart of the drama through his calculating mind and his silent threat. The fact that Keoghan does not want to emulate that legacy is not so much hesitation as it is respect. It is hard to envision that anyone can replicate the same presence that Murphy and Keoghan believe the franchise is better when it is growing, instead of attempting to replicate the past.
Duke Shelby Could Transform The Shelby Saga
Keoghan did not mention Tommy, but another member of the Shelby family: Duke Shelby. Duke, who was introduced late in the series, is a much younger and much less refined member of the clan, a person who was raised outside of the power structure of the family and was only drawn into it. That difference, according to Keoghan, is precisely what makes Duke interesting.
In case you missed it: ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ Just Confirmed A Major Shelby Recast
However, Duke is another kind of Shelby. Keoghan believes the character would introduce a fresh vitality to the franchise.
Where Tommy was manipulated, tactical, and emotionally defended, Duke has a more unpredictable advantage. Such a contrast may lead to a new tone if the story is furthered after Murphy.
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