Belfast Actor at Center of Peaky Blinders Film The film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is set to debut on Netflix on March 20, 2026, marking the feature-length adaptation of the popular TV series. Belfast actor Packy Lee plays Johnny Dogs, Tommy Shelby’s steadfast companion, in the story that intertwines the fate of the Birmingham gang leader with the turmoil of World War Two. The film stars Cillian Murphy as Shelby, alongside Barry Keoghan, Tim Roth, Stephen Graham, and Rebecca Ferguson. In the narrative, Shelby’s relationship with his son Duke, portrayed by Keoghan, is central to the plot, as their lives become entangled with the broader conflict of the war. The film opens with Shelby as an isolated, haunted figure, with Johnny Dogs as his sole confidant. Lee described the role as a significant step in his career, allowing him to explore Shelby’s perspective during a time when the gang boss is removed from the chaos of the world. “We’ve moved on in time and had the opportunity to uncover what it was like for Tommy Shelby when he wasn’t involved in the craziness of the world,” Lee explained. Writer Steven Knight’s script draws Shelby back into the conflict, blending historical events with fictional elements. Lee praised Knight’s ability to merge fact and fiction, calling the film a “wonderful experience” that also offers a deep dive into history. “There’s a lot of it that’s very true,” he noted, emphasizing the film’s grounding in real events. Lee, who has been a long-time cast member of the Peaky Blinders TV series, reflected on the show’s evolution from a BBC Two series to a BBC One phenomenon driven by fan demand. He credited the audience for pushing the show to its current form, including its transition to a film.#barry_keoghan #cillian_murphy #peaky_blinders #steven_knight #belfast
