Barry Keoghan Felt He Didn't 'Earn' Iconic Peaky Blinders Line

The actor who plays Tommy Shelby's son in the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie was hesitant to deliver the gang's signature line.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In an interview, Barry Keoghan, who plays Tommy Shelby's son Duke in the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie, revealed that he initially felt he hadn't 'earned' the right to say the iconic line 'By order of the Peaky Blinders.' Keoghan explained that he passed the line to his co-star Jay Lycurgo because he wanted to sound more like his character's father, Tommy, and deliver the line with the proper 'power' and 'silence.' The actor said it was a 'mad' experience to say such a legendary line from the series.

Why it matters

The 'By order of the Peaky Blinders' line has become a signature part of the show's brand and pop culture legacy. Keoghan's hesitation to deliver the line as the new lead character highlights the reverence the actors have for the material and the weight of taking on such an iconic role and dialogue.

The details

In a clip from the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man, Keoghan's character Duke is shown leading the Peaky Blinders gang on a job and delivering the famous line. However, Keoghan revealed that he initially passed the line to his co-star Jay Lycurgo because he felt he hadn't 'earned' it as the new Duke character. Keoghan wanted to deliver the line with the same 'power' and 'silence' that the line is known for, and he felt he needed to sound more like his character's father, Tommy Shelby, to pull it off properly.

  • The Immortal Man, the Peaky Blinders movie, is set to premiere on Netflix on March 20, 2026.

The players

Barry Keoghan

The actor who plays Tommy Shelby's son Duke in the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie.

Jay Lycurgo

Keoghan's co-star in the Peaky Blinders movie, who delivered the iconic 'By order of the Peaky Blinders' line after Keoghan passed it to him.

Tommy Shelby

The leader of the Peaky Blinders gang, played by Cillian Murphy, who is returning in the movie.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Yeah, it was mad, it was mad. And I actually learned last night, and I forgot totally about it altogether, so Tom [Harper] reminded me, but I actually passed it on to Jay [Lycurgo] beside me to say it and deliver it out loud again, because I just felt there was a – I felt I hadn't earned it as Duke. And I felt, you know, it's a way of trying to sound and be like my dad, and I felt like the power in it as well, and delivering it flat and quite silent as well.”

— Barry Keoghan, Actor

What’s next

Fans will be able to see how Keoghan's portrayal of Duke and his delivery of the iconic 'By order of the Peaky Blinders' line plays out when The Immortal Man premieres on Netflix on March 20, 2026.

The takeaway

Keoghan's hesitation to say the legendary Peaky Blinders line shows the reverence the actors have for the show's legacy and the weight of taking on such an iconic role. The line's power and significance within the series' brand has clearly made a strong impression on the new cast members.