Barry Keoghan, known for his critically acclaimed and often unsettling roles in films like *Saltburn*, *The Banshees of Inisherin* (for which he received an Academy Award nomination), and *The Killing of a Sacred Deer*, has taken on the pivotal role of Duke Shelby, the estranged son of Tommy Shelby, in the highly anticipated *Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man* film. Keoghan's taking over the role from Conrad Khan signals a fresh start for the Shelby clan on film.
A New Era for the Shelby Clan
The six-year time jump between the series finale and the film meant they needed a different actor for Duke. This chronological leap, moving the narrative into the critical pre-World War II period, necessitated a new actor, given that Conrad Khan, who originated the character in season six, was no longer age-appropriate for the now older, more hardened Duke. Knight saw the time jump as crucial to exploring how the characters had aged and changed.
Knight was convinced from the first footage that Keoghan was the only choice—he hit every mark and brought something new to Duke, a mix of vulnerability and danger that fits the Shelby world. Knight called the whiskey scene between Keoghan and Murphy 'magnificent'—just the two of them staring at each other without saying a word.
The Looming Shadow of War
The film jumps ahead six years to 1940, when Nazi bombs were falling on Birmingham. The series ended with Tommy riding off on a white horse, but the film finds him isolated in his country mansion, cut off from his family. By 1940, Britain was already at war with Nazi Germany, and the bombs were falling. This sets up the film's central tension: how Tommy and his gang survive wartime.
Tommy Shelby’s ascent from a backstreet gangster to a Member of Parliament has always been intertwined with the socio-political currents of his time. The film explores whether Tommy becomes a patriot, a war profiteer, or something else entirely. Duke, now older and running the gang, represents a new generation dealing with the Shelby legacy during wartime.
Keoghan's Unique Intensity Meets Shelby Legacy
Keoghan's got that dangerous edge mixed with vulnerability—exactly what Duke needs. He can show what a character's thinking without saying much, which matches Murphy's approach to Tommy. That's why they'll work so well together in those silent scenes Knight mentioned.
Peaky Blinders has built a huge fanbase around its gritty style and morally complex characters. Recasting Duke was risky, but Keoghan's recent success and star power suggest Netflix made the right call to keep the show's quality high. Fans want to see how Duke, now running the gang's darker operations, fits into the family's web of alliances during wartime.
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Despite the pressure from fans, Keoghan felt welcomed into the Peaky Blinders world and ready to take on Duke. Keoghan's casting brings fresh energy to the Shelby story as it moves into wartime, the family's darkest chapter yet.
This article was created with AI assistance.
