Rebecca Ferguson praises Cillian Murphy’s 'menacing and calm' Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders film

'He's very good at shifting energies,' Ferguson said Murphy's portrayal of Thomas Shelby

Rebecca Ferguson is opening up about what makes Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby so enduring — and so dangerous. The actress, who stars alongside Murphy in the upcoming Peaky Blinders film The Immortal Man, praised her co-star’s magnetic presence and ability to command the screen with subtle intensity.

“He has a f***ing good silhouette and a really good introduction,” Ferguson said of Murphy’s now-iconic character. “And there's something about Cillian's way of playing menacing and calm at the same time, which means that his eruption becomes so unpredictable. Yeah, he's very good at shifting energies.”

Murphy first brought Tommy Shelby to life in 2013 when Peaky Blinders, created by Steven Knight, premiered on the BBC before becoming a global phenomenon on Netflix.

Over six seasons, the series followed the rise of the Shelby crime family in post–World War I Birmingham, with Murphy’s sharply dressed, razor-sharp gangster at its center. His quiet menace, piercing stare and restrained physicality became defining traits of the character, traits Ferguson clearly found compelling as a scene partner.

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man continues the story following the conclusion of the series in 2022, with Murphy reprising the role that earned him widespread acclaim and a devoted international fanbase. While plot details remain under wraps, the film is expected to expand the Shelby saga beyond the television timeline, bringing fresh faces into the world while maintaining the brooding intensity that defined the show.

Ferguson’s comments underscore what has long set Murphy apart in the role: his ability to simmer rather than explode, until he does. By playing Tommy as both composed and volatile, Murphy creates a constant sense of tension, where even silence feels threatening. That dynamic unpredictability has helped cement Tommy Shelby as one of modern television’s most iconic antiheroes.

As anticipation builds for The Immortal Man, Ferguson’s praise adds to the excitement, reminding fans why Murphy’s performance remains at the heart of the franchise — a masterclass in controlled danger and shifting power.