A New Chapter for the Shelby Legacy

The streets of Birmingham are about to ignite once more as Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man has officially wrapped filming and entered post-production, sending fans into a frenzy of anticipation. This highly awaited Netflix feature film, a continuation of the beloved BBC series Peaky Blinders (2013–2022), promises to deliver the gritty, high-stakes drama that has made the Shelby family a global phenomenon. With Academy Award-winner Cillian Murphy reprising his iconic role as Tommy Shelby, the film is set to take viewers into the chaotic and perilous landscape of World War II, weaving a tale of crime, family, and survival against a backdrop of relentless bombings and existential crises.

Adding to the excitement, The Immortal Man boasts a powerhouse cast, including Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible, Dune), Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction), Barry Keoghan (Saltburn), and returning Peaky Blinders favorites like Stephen Graham as Hayden Stagg, Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby, and Ned Dennehy as Charlie Strong. Directed by Tom Harper, who helmed episodes of the show’s first season, and written by series creator Steven Knight, the film is poised to be an “explosive chapter” in the Peaky Blinders saga, with Knight teasing a theatrical release alongside its Netflix debut. But what makes this film even more intriguing is its thematic and stylistic parallels to another recent WWII cinematic gem, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024), starring Henry Cavill. Let’s dive into the world of The Immortal Man and explore how it connects to Cavill’s action-packed wartime thriller.

The Immortal Man: A WWII Peaky Blinders Epic

Set in 1940, The Immortal Man thrusts Tommy Shelby and his gang into the heart of World War II, a time when Birmingham was under siege from German Luftwaffe bombings. Steven Knight has described the film as a story of heightened stakes, where “people don’t know if they’re going to live until tomorrow morning,” infused with “hedonism” and “fatalism.” This backdrop of uncertainty and destruction amplifies Tommy’s ongoing existential crisis, a thread that has defined his character since the series’ inception. After the shocking revelation in the Peaky Blinders Season 6 finale that his terminal brain tumor diagnosis was a malicious ruse orchestrated by his fascist rival Oswald Mosley, Tommy rode off into the sunset, leaving fans wondering what would become of the Shelby patriarch.

The Immortal Man picks up years later, with Tommy navigating a war-torn Birmingham and engaging in secret wartime missions based on true, lesser-known WWII stories. Knight has hinted at weaving three historical narratives into the plot, focusing on covert operations that never made it into mainstream history books. This approach promises a blend of historical intrigue and the signature Peaky Blinders mix of crime, betrayal, and family loyalty. The film’s star-studded ensemble, described by Knight as “the best British cast we could possibly have gotten,” includes newcomers like Barry Keoghan, whose role remains undisclosed but is sure to bring intensity, given his electrifying performances in films like Saltburn and The Banshees of Inisherin. Rebecca Ferguson, known for her commanding presence in action-packed roles, and Tim Roth, an Oscar nominee with a knack for portraying complex villains, add further depth to the narrative.

Filming, which took place from September to December 2024 at locations like Birmingham’s Digbeth Loc Studios and St Helens’ former Pilkington Watson Street Works, wrapped just before the new year, with crew members like makeup artist Nadia Stacey sharing glimpses of the production’s emotional close. Early cuts of the film have left Knight in awe, with the creator calling the footage “mind-blowingly good” and praising the cast’s performances. While an official release date is yet to be confirmed, Knight has suggested a theatrical debut in late 2025 or early 2026, a rare move for a Netflix project that underscores the film’s event-like status.

The Peaky Blinders series has always been a masterclass in blending historical grit with cinematic flair, from its post-WWI origins to its exploration of the interwar years’ social upheavals. The Immortal Man elevates this formula to a grander scale, with a larger budget and a cinematic scope that promises to immerse audiences in the chaos of WWII Birmingham. But as we await Tommy Shelby’s next chapter, another recent WWII film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, starring Henry Cavill, offers striking parallels that deepen our appreciation of The Immortal Man’s place in the wartime cinematic landscape.

Connecting The Immortal Man to The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

At first glance, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024), directed by Guy Ritchie, may seem worlds apart—one a gritty crime drama rooted in Birmingham’s underworld, the other a stylish action-comedy about a secret WWII commando unit. Yet, both films share a surprising number of thematic and stylistic similarities, making Cavill’s film a compelling companion piece to the Peaky Blinders movie. Here’s how they connect:

1. WWII as a Backdrop for Antiheroic Exploits

Both films are set during World War II, a period defined by global conflict and moral ambiguity, which serves as a perfect canvas for their respective antiheroes. In The Immortal Man, Tommy Shelby, a war veteran turned criminal mastermind, navigates the bombed-out streets of Birmingham while engaging in clandestine wartime missions. Similarly, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare follows Gus March-Phillipps (played by Henry Cavill), the leader of a ragtag group of operatives tasked with covert operations to disrupt Nazi supply lines. Based on the real-life Operation Postmaster, the film showcases a team of rogues who operate outside conventional military rules, much like Tommy’s Peaky Blinders gang defies societal norms.

Both Tommy and Gus are complex, morally gray protagonists who thrive in chaotic environments. Tommy’s existential struggles, compounded by the trauma of WWI and the pressures of WWII, mirror Gus’s devil-may-care attitude and willingness to bend rules for a greater cause. The wartime setting amplifies their personal stakes—Tommy grapples with his past and the survival of his family, while Gus risks everything to undermine the Nazi war machine. This shared focus on antiheroes operating in the shadows of war creates a thematic bridge between the two films.

2. Historical Inspirations and Secret Missions

A key connection lies in both films’ use of lesser-known WWII stories to ground their narratives. Steven Knight has revealed that The Immortal Man incorporates three true but obscure WWII events, focusing on covert operations that shaped the war’s underbelly. Likewise, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is inspired by the real-life Special Operations Executive (SOE), a British unit that conducted sabotage and espionage against the Nazis. The film dramatizes the SOE’s daring 1942 mission to neutralize German U-boats, blending historical fact with Ritchie’s signature flair. Both stories highlight the unsung heroes of WWII—whether criminals like the Peaky Blinders or maverick commandos—who operate outside traditional frameworks to achieve their goals.

This emphasis on secret missions adds an element of intrigue to both films, appealing to audiences who crave historical dramas with a twist of rebellion. While The Immortal Man is likely to lean into psychological depth and gritty realism, The Ministry infuses its historical roots with humor and explosive action, yet both promise to uncover hidden facets of the war.

3. Star-Studded Ensembles and British Talent

Both films boast impressive casts that elevate their narratives. The Immortal Man unites Cillian Murphy, Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, and Barry Keoghan, among others, in what Knight calls “the best British cast” assembled. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare counters with Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, and Alex Pettyfer, delivering a dynamic ensemble that brings Ritchie’s vision to life. Both films showcase British talent at its finest—Murphy and Cavill, in particular, are powerhouses who command the screen with charisma and intensity.

The ensemble nature of both projects mirrors their focus on camaraderie and loyalty, whether it’s the Shelby family’s tight-knit bonds or the SOE team’s ragtag unity. This shared emphasis on group dynamics, set against the high stakes of war, creates a parallel sense of camaraderie that resonates across both narratives.

4. Stylized Violence and Cinematic Flair

Peaky Blinders is renowned for its stylized violence, slow-motion shootouts, and atmospheric cinematography, all of which are expected to carry over into The Immortal Man. Similarly, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a quintessential Guy Ritchie film, blending brutal action sequences with witty banter and a polished aesthetic. Both films embrace a heightened, almost operatic approach to violence, using it to underscore their characters’ defiance and survival instincts. Whether it’s Tommy Shelby facing off against new wartime threats or Gus March-Phillipps taking down Nazis with flair, both stories promise adrenaline-pumping confrontations that elevate their historical settings.

5. Themes of Rebellion and Redemption

At their core, both films explore themes of rebellion and redemption. Tommy Shelby’s journey in Peaky Blinders has always been about rising above his circumstances, wrestling with guilt, and seeking redemption, whether through power or family. In The Immortal Man, his existential crisis and wartime challenges will likely push this arc further, potentially culminating in a redemptive or tragic end. Similarly, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare portrays its characters as rebels who defy conventional military protocol to achieve victory, with Gus finding purpose in his unorthodox leadership. Both stories celebrate outsiders who challenge the status quo, making them compelling companions for fans of character-driven wartime dramas.

A Cinematic Event on the Horizon

As The Immortal Man moves into post-production, the anticipation is palpable. Steven Knight has teased that the film is not the end of the Peaky Blinders saga, hinting at potential spin-offs, including a series focusing on a new generation post-WWII and another set in mid-20th-century Boston. This promise of an expanding universe ensures that Tommy Shelby’s legacy will endure, even as The Immortal Man serves as a “fitting conclusion” to the first chapter. With its theatrical release and Netflix streaming, the film is poised to be a cultural event, blending the intimacy of the series with the grandeur of the big screen.

For fans of Peaky Blinders and wartime epics, The Immortal Man shares a kindred spirit with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Both films celebrate the defiance, charisma, and complexity of their protagonists, set against the crucible of WWII. While Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby navigates the bombed-out streets of Birmingham, Henry Cavill’s Gus March-Phillipps storms Nazi strongholds with roguish charm. Together, they offer a dual perspective on the war—one grounded in crime and family, the other in espionage and rebellion—making them must-watch entries for fans of historical dramas with a rebellious edge.

As we await The Immortal Man’s release, fans can revisit Peaky Blinders Seasons 1-6 on Netflix or dive into The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (available on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video) for a taste of WWII bravado that echoes the Shelbys’ gritty world. By order of the Peaky Blinders, get ready for an explosive cinematic experience that will leave you clamoring for more.