Cillian Murphy on Becoming Thomas Shelby | Rotten Tomatoes TV

As the final season of “Peaky Blinders” comes to Netflix, Rotten Tomatoes caught up with star Cillian Murphy to talk about how he became gangster Thomas Shelby and what attracted him to the role. Starting with a serendipitous request he made of his agent to pursue an exciting TV role in a British series that carried the weight of HBO’s “The Wire,” Murphy talks about the research he did into World War I for the series created by Steven Knight, as well as the importance of his costars and other characters in the series, like “his closest confidant” Polly, played by actress Helen McCrory, who died in 2021. PTSD and personal trauma defines the character, who progresses from war veteran to violent gangster to political operative over the course of the series. “He’s burdened by his intellect,” Murphy says, explaining the character’s relationships and ambitions. The actor also explains details like the “brutal” haircut and the gang’s fashions that have defined the look of the show. He calls the death of Grace (Annabelle Wallis) “one of the biggest moments in the series” and an event that haunts Tommy, redefining one of the most complex characters in modern entertainment.
► Learn more about this show on Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/pea...
Want to be notified of all the latest TV shows? Subscribe to the channel and click the bell icon to stay up to date.
US Air Date: June 10, 2022
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Natasha O'Keeffe, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, Finn Cole
Network: Netflix
Synopsis: Britain is a mixture of despair and hedonism in 1919 in the aftermath of the Great War. Returning soldiers, newly minted revolutions and criminal gangs are fighting for survival in a nation rocked by economic upheaval. One of the most powerful gangs of the time is the Peaky Blinders, run by returning war hero Thomas Shelby and his family. But Thomas has bigger ambitions than just running the streets. When a crate of guns goes missing, he recognizes an opportunity to advance in the world because crime may pay but legitimate business pays better. Trying to rid Britain of its crime is Inspector Chester Campbell, who arrives from Belfast to try to achieve that goal.
What to Watch Next:
► Certified Fresh TV: bit.ly/2FC8sQi
► New TV This Week: bit.ly/2Cq3wzc
► Top TV Dramas: bit.ly/2HSMnOs
► Top TV Comedies: bit.ly/2ozqvP6
► Top Sci-Fi/Horror/Fantasy: bit.ly/2F0j76g
► Most Anticipated Shows: bit.ly/2GQb8cq
► TV Shows by Channel & Streaming Platform: bit.ly/2GKXHuv
More Rotten Tomatoes:
► Subscribe to ROTTEN TOMATOES TV: bit.ly/2qTF6ZY
► Subscribe to the ROTTEN TOMATOES NEWSLETTER: www.rottentomatoes.com/newsle...
► Follow us on TWITTER: bit.ly/2mpschF
► Like us on FACEBOOK: bit.ly/2COySMI
► Follow us on INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2FlxGC6
Rotten Tomatoes TV delivers Fresh TV at a click! Subscribe now for the best trailers, clips, sneak peeks, and binge guides for shows you love and the upcoming series and TV movies that should be on your radar."

[@darzy3187]

he understands the character so well , cant think of any better actor for this role

[@kellymcphaul2793]

When I read they wanted Jason Statham, I was horrified. Cillian for the win all the way.

[@alexandrverianov8555]

Dude was playing Tommy for, years. Obviously he understands the character so well. Hell i bet he even helped creating this character along the way. Other actor would be just different tommys, not better nor worse

[@daan9094]

I see Cillian and Tommy as two different humans, and also Oppenheimer as seperate. Great actor.

[@toxnik4684]

lmao even cillian himself said tommy is not a good role model, this is for all the "sigma male" video makers🤡

[@Yen-dc7nn]

Tommy is not good role model but he's such a good character study because of how complex he is which most fans dont get.

[@youbil6470]

This. He even say "if he have some sense he would stick in on Lizzie, but he is so dopey he gets wrong all the time" We know he is intelligent man but sometime he is dumb as well, how can people want to be like him🤡

[@_.-_Crimpy-_..-.]

Those videos aren’t serious. It’s just another dumb trend.

[@mino9147]

I mean someones gotta be EXTREMELY dumb to take these videos seriously. They're just jokes, people having fun, ever heard of it?

[@KRALTAIR47]

It's mostly a meme 😂

[@DavidM557]

Cillian Murphy is such an amazing actor. In my opinion he’s the most underrated actor of this current generation

[@utop1a775]

Such an underrated actor

[@vincentavery6598]

He should get an Oscar when they do the film he allready deserves it as Tommy Shelby

[@scarlet2690]

underrated by who?? everyone knows that he is amazing

[@DONAL914]

​@@scarlet2690 It's a thing people like to say.

[@Nayz13]

You know that a show is good when you miss watching it for ages when it ends. I could watch it all again

[@Rieskale]

Do it!

[@hbennett5640]

I did just watch it all again❤

[@kellymcphaul2793]

I'm sooo late to the Peaky party, and now I am obsessed. I heard someone say it's not super popular in the US and I was like um we all LOVE it.

[@MsRouxe]

Tommy will never recover from losing Grace, she is the love of his life and the only one who really understood him and his trauma, Lizzie never understood Tommy's pain, that's why he never let her in.

[@nr4dd]

Cillian Murphy as always been a good actor but now... he is an excellent actor!

[@Sunflo07H]

This series was phenomenal!! In my opinion, the BEST I have seen on Netflix!

[@kjellurie]

I really felt Polly's absence through Tommy's changed behavior throughout the season finale. Tommy became cold and just became a different person.

[@reinterpret_cast]

Yes and that's a bit illogical because he wouldn't have achieved what he achieved prior to season 6 if he wasn't cold and ruthless. The way Tommy was portrayed in the last season is how he should've been during the entire story had he been a real person.

[@Unriven]

Season 6 on Netflix soon, cannot wait. Contrary to a lot of people, I still find the later seasons as compelling as the first few. Hoping for a great conclusion. RIP Helen.

[@haydenthomlinson]

Can’t believe you haven’t experienced it yet!

[@_.-_Crimpy-_..-.]

I’m not saying season 6 is bad, but don’t have your expectations too high. I say that because Helen passed away. It’s very different. Still good though.

[@popotade4621]

You can maintain those high expectations, they do it a bit different this time but they definitely tried to make it justice and pack it with amazing scenes.

[@verycoldhardybles790]

Life lessons. There are so many I can take from Tommy. I sometimes cry remembering the show. But why? I don't cry often. The show gets to the deepest parts of me. Peaky Blinders tell us: - what all people/society would be like if no humans were afraid of death, like those who came back from war - what a raw, honest human psyche/consciousness is like after severe PTSD (Tom, Arthur...) - what is a real cost (suicide, permanent fear, no sleep, traumatic loses, restless life, alcohol, drugs...) of a true ambition to suceed by force - what a path to success and status requires from us to do, feel and thnk. And why not many of us will become super sucessfull. The key to the guaranteed success requires high intelligence, ability to spy on enemies, ability to punish (mentally as well as physically) and incentivise everyone around you (friends, enemies, family...) - the pain and loneliness that comes with highest of ambitions snd status Also, the most interesting people are the contrasting ones. Tom's and Arthur's characters - their rutlessness vs search for God (Arthur) and good (Tom) in their lifes. That is what I think makes me learn and even cry if I think too much about the show.

[@toxnik4684]

he was made for the role of thomas shelby

[@133mhz.]

He made the role, the role didn't make him.

[@vincentavery6598]

Tommy Shelby was made for him

[@Dana-fi8kh]

Amazing underrated A-list actor.

[@lf9341]

One of my favorite shows. Cillian was AMAZING! Thomas was my favorite tv character!

[@justgreene839]

No one would be a better Tommy than Cillian, great casting!

[@user-qt7hb9uc4m]

god he is perhaps one of the most beautiful human beings ever

[@emmanuelmercene]

It's good to see Tommy acting as Cillian Murphy 😎

[@angeladesousaknieling3335]

Jason Statham is a great action movie actor, but he would never have reached the emotional depth and "cerebralness" of the character the way Cillian Murphy did. Brilliant! The confrontational dialogs were amazing! Just think the romantic dialogs could have been a bit more intense... Aunt Polly was a great feminine role played masterfully! Congrats also to Tom Hardy for the delinquency portraid as Alfie Solomon... This show deserved much much more credit than it got...

[@theapavlou3030]

Jason Statham is an amoeba in a lion's arena. On what planet is he a good actor LOL

[@Yen-dc7nn]

Cillian gets it! Father Hughes is the most despicable villain the series had. He still gives me the creep. and i always found Tommy's hatred for religion curious like i want to know more why. Like that scene with the nuns on series 5 is something else.

[@hethen5846]

I mean Cillian himself has said it before in a interview that after tommy went to war and came back everything like religion seem like a joke after all the horrors he had seen which makes sense.

[@jonv1776]

@@hethen5846 Exactly.. I think the hypocrisy of the elites and pure horrors he saw in WW1 was enough to have him question everything.

[@SarahLouise-ko1se]

Father hughes !!!!!! Oh my

[@phil_5430]

@@hethen5846 Ironically many survivors from wars find their peace in religion.

[@thevikingsock8527]

The answer why to hate religion, should be obvious

[@mariammustafaaa]

Cillian is such an amazing actor.

[@adri66667]

Love him can’t wait for his new movie !!

[@jeanmarierock4603]

Cillian Murphy is mesmerizing 😍💗

[@analuiza6306]

I love Tommy and Lizzie ♥

[@sharonmullins1957]

From US. The Only reason I purchased Nexflix is view the program. Cannot get enough of this show! The characters, the scenes, and the writing are so beyond what we are use to viewing. And yes, LOVE Cillian Murphy. And so missed Helen McCroy.

[@editsebx7045]

Tommy Shelby and Jax teller my two favourite characters ever ❤️✨

[@lf9341]

Me too, but Cillian is 10000000 times a better actor compared to Charlie.

[@maryann708]

They are 2 of my favorite characters as well. Very easy on the eyes!!👁👁

[@hersheykiss4445]

I’m American and normally do not like foreign TV. Cillian was outstanding in Peaky and the reason I got hooked. Peaky became my all time favorite show and I watch it repeatedly. I love the haircut! Sorry Cillian, but you are even more striking with the Tommy hair😍😆Nobody else could have played Tommy Shelby. I’m very sad to know it’s over.

[@hjhaminahhjsapawi9679]

True, I love the series because of Cillian Murphy' brilliant acting..!

[@vanesasianska6472]

I'm sad it's over too but we can look forward to the Peaky Blinders movie!!

[@nanabuster7285]

Imo the Brits produce the absolute best film/television. They’re incomparable.

[@valentino6462]

it is absolutely crazy to me for u to be so absorbed in american TV when non-american productions are usually so much better

[@hersheykiss4445]

@@valentino6462 I wouldn’t call it absorbed. I’m American and that is what we mostly see and watch. Though I can’t say I’ve seen anything spectacular in my 50 years that isn’t American besides Peaky.

[@kellymcphaul2793]

Also let's talk about Arthur.

[@sjabajajw]

Thomas one of the favorite character 🔥🔥🔥🔥👍

[@deeelliott1574]

Love Cillian Murphy in everything thing he does just fantastic ❤️❤️❤️❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@atune2682]

11:50 haha i love this guy he is so good

[@carmencollor1224]

Thanks for a brilliant, perfect performance!!!!

[@karakol86]

Lizzie is one of my favorite characters.

[@allisonchainz82]

She really grew on me too

[@faithonwumere4204]

I agree, love her!

[@MM-wb6qm]

Agree, brilliant arc and actress

[@Sunflo07H]

She really was.

[@easygreasy3989]

Best Series Ever. Also, I love the T-Rex painting with the guy flung up in the air.

[@kadybrown569]

So, I'm guessing the music we hear in the background is playing on Cillian's record player since he's in his basement, but I can't make out who it is...

[@enjoyingmyvodka1013]

Great actor and perfect for the role! I think it helps and actor to understand the character which I believe helps them portray them better

[@victoriagoddard6573]

Cillian you did an amazing job

[@Dianaran1972]

❤❤beautyful man de serie zo beautyful echt geweldig super spannend en emotioneel secaon 6 kan niet wachten om het nog een keer te kijken 🥰🥰❤

[@cdbrown30]

Very much enjoyed this last season of Peaky Blinders!

[@lf9341]

I thought it was great.

[@stomper5432]

Tommy is THE PERFECT person to take life lessons from man was in the war theb a gangster than a politician I mean basically like churchill

[@siwarbc136]

Cillian 😍😍😍😍

[@syedrezarahat7012]

One of the best TV series ever ❤️🔥💯

[@SarahLouise-ko1se]

Fun fact there is a whole city underneath Manchester and a underground river

[@laflame.-tv]

Tommy, Ragnar and Mr White for me ❤️

[@charlotte.murphy]

Interview is amazing, but what on earth is that background music

[@anagaj3597]

True. Awful

[@Veronica-fc1wz]

🥰Cillian 🤩

[@janasimkova8923]

Love him❤❤❤❤

[@sherirobbins8714]

Why is Paul Anderson who plays Arthur so magnificently never mentioned in KZbin videos about Peaky Blinders and it's characters. Cillian Murphy, who I love, never mentions him when discussing how great the characters are. Paul Anderson may have been accused of misconduct but it's wrong to neglect to praise him for the six seasons he played Arthur, one of the best characters in the show. He may have been accused of misconduct but I don't see that was proven. Besides what does his real life have to do with his reel life. Plenty of actors have done terrible things in their lives but continue to act and be praised. Profoundly upset about his omission.

[@elizabethharvester6111]

Come to think of it, you are right. Cillian never praised Paul Anderson has he

[@onlythesea7812]

Innamorata follemente ❤️

[@judyroland2959]

My gosh! Paddy Considine so easy to hate!!! Great acting!…

[@MariaSilva-jk6yc]

Lindo🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@MariaSilva-jk6yc]

Vc sabe falar o meu Idioma ; vi vc em uma entrevista à qui no Brasil. Manda mensagem pra mim beijos bb lindo 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@DonutMaple]

'I'm such a coward heheheh' oh god I'm dying hahahaha

[@pathajip1971]

After chistian bale nd heath ledger... Cillian Murphy I like the most

[@treyherbike5373]

I’m sorry but Thomas Shelby helped me find myself…..power of entertainment (influence)

[@codmw7040]

❤️

[@verohrry8540]

how is it not peeled?

[@janessmorales7072]

i loveu

[@margaretsmith7063]

CILLIAN YOU ARE AMAZING LOVE 💘 ❤ 💕 💖 💗 ♥ 💘 ❤ 💕 💖 💗 ♥ YOU IT'S AMAZING SO REAL SO ROMANTIC YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL LOVE YOU TO BE JAMES BOND ❤ 💖 💕 ♥ 💗 JUST FOR YOU MARGO ❤ 💖 💕 💗 ♥

[@arnavgoel6375]

loveu2

[@DanielleBeck-wp3wp]

❤16mm❤

[@gpoman9988]

Brilliant actor. Unfortunately, the last season of PB was disappointing for me.

[@DanielleBeck-wp3wp]

🦋🦋

[@carolinehobson7365]

You’re not a coward!!

[@adamluck3165]

There is God and there is the peaky blinders plus the stone fukin roses and oasis happy Mondays Rkid lucky boro fc liveforever 🎉

[@MattGarcyaDC]

what does he mean lack of self-knowledge is his worse trait

[@Deedolphin]

Of course Lizzie is Thomas's number one! She is the one who protected him! I also loved Polly and her natural kindness! Thomas Shelby was just a gangsta!...But beloved gangsta and it was about time to put on light a man in the cinema!...We missed some heroe until Thomas Shelby happened to be in Cinema!

[@chopchung]

Call up..."The problem is the English can't remember history while the Irish can't forget it". Not quite sure of the poster's own intentions but what think YOU of Cillian's thaughts on meeting British Royalty?.

[@anweshabanerjee9582]

I disagree with Cillian on the point of life lessons. Tommy's vice was addiction (what kind? If you know you know). That's why he had to cheat. I cannot forget the scene where he had a lady in bed while speaking to his wife, Lizzie, about their child. It made me hate him quite strongly. But I would take life lessons from him. He had taste. He had an understanding that nothing meant anything in this world. But you still have to have a whole lot of nothing. That's why, he couldn't rest. Resting was falling beneath nothing, where even vacuum does not exist. What is a world worth, where the heinous always win? How does a good man survive in such a world? I guess they do in the hope of grace.

[@DanielleBeck-wp3wp]

🥜

[@dieterludwig3006]

Crazy how real he made that show. Doesnt seem like most see through shows except the fact the fighting and outcomes of fights are quite ridiculous. They always stand around a talk to someone for 10 minutes before killing them and giving them a chance to fight back.