Tommy Shelby, a character associated with an icy gaze and impeccable composure, could have looked completely different. Before Cillian Murphy finally took on the role of the leader of the Shelby family, the creators of the series “Peaky Blinders” considered entrusting the role to Jason Statham. However, the decision that changed the course of the series’ history did not come easily.
During the first casting calls, Steven Knight seemed convinced that Jason Statham was perfect for the role of the leader of the Shelby family. “I met them both in Los Angeles,” Knight told Esquire. “Jason is Jason. When you meet Cillian, he doesn’t seem like Tommy.” Murphy’s lack of physical dominance was a major problem.
Murphy himself understood the director’s concerns. “I had to convince them a bit,” he later recalled in an interview with The Guardian. Statham, known for his tough guy roles, naturally seemed more suitable.
But Murphy wasn’t going to give up. He knew he could handle the role, even if at first glance he lacked the “gangster” look. In a gesture of determination, he sent Knight a simple but powerful message: “Remember I’m an actor.”
That short text message made Knight look at things from a different perspective. “He can change,” admitted the director. He decided to take a risk and cast Murphy as Tommy Shelby. The risk paid off – Murphy transformed Shelby into one of the most complex characters in television history.
The thought of Jason Statham as Tommy Shelby seems hard to imagine today. An actor known for his dynamic roles in action films could introduce a completely different atmosphere to the series. His Tommy would probably be more ruthless and less subtle, focusing on physical strength instead of psychological manipulation.
Meanwhile, Murphy brought something to the character that made viewers unable to look away. Tommy Shelby doesn’t rely on strength – his secret weapon is the ability to manipulate people and leave his opponents in constant tension. How Murphy plays that fine line between calm and explosive anger is the essence of Peaky Blinders’ success.
Cillian Murphy not only won the recognition of Steven Knight, but also won the hearts of millions of fans around the world. His role earned him prestigious awards, including a National Television Award, and nominations from the Irish Film and Television Academy.
Murphy showed that Tommy Shelby was more than just a leader. His struggles with trauma, grief and guilt in subsequent seasons only deepened viewers’ fascination with this character. His ability to convey every emotion made him a pop culture icon.
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