Peaky Blinders' Tommy Shelby Dies, But the Story Lives On

The Immortal Man' film ends the Shelby family saga, but opens the door for a new era of the Peaky Blinders franchise.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 7:20am

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In the climactic film 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man', the series' central character Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) faces his final reckoning. Set against the chaos of World War II, the story pits Tommy against his own son, Duke Shelby (Barry Keoghan), in a battle that ultimately leads to Tommy's death. However, his passing is not a surrender, but a choice to finally find peace and freedom from the burdens that have defined his life. With Tommy gone, the Peaky Blinders empire passes to Duke, setting the stage for a new chapter in the franchise's future.

Why it matters

The death of Tommy Shelby, the iconic anti-hero at the heart of 'Peaky Blinders', marks a major turning point for the acclaimed crime drama. By killing off its central figure, the story frees itself to explore new directions and characters, while preserving Tommy's lasting legacy. This bold narrative choice opens up possibilities for future installments, whether series, spin-offs or films, to expand the 'Peaky Blinders' world in unexpected ways.

The details

In the film, Tommy is a man eroded by grief and guilt, no longer the untouchable strategist he once was. He faces off against his own son, Duke Shelby, who has aligned himself with a Nazi agent to distribute counterfeit money. In a climactic showdown at the Liverpool docks, Tommy orchestrates a plan to destroy the counterfeit cash, but is betrayed by Duke. However, Duke ultimately reveals he was never truly against his father. Tommy then confronts and kills the mastermind behind the Nazi plot, John Beckett (Tim Roth), but is mortally wounded in the process. Choosing to embrace death, Tommy asks Duke to end his suffering, and his son reluctantly complies, killing his own father.

  • The film is set against the backdrop of World War II in 1940 Birmingham.

The players

Tommy Shelby

The central character of the 'Peaky Blinders' series, Tommy is the patriarch who built an empire on fear, intellect, and a death wish that finally catches up to him.

Duke Shelby

The volatile heir to the Peaky Blinders throne, Duke embodies everything Tommy once was, but without the discipline. He ultimately inherits the Peaky Blinders empire after his father's death.

John Beckett

The architect of the Nazi-backed counterfeit operation that threatens to collapse Britain from within, Beckett is the main antagonist that Tommy confronts in the film's climax.

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What they’re saying

“We're doing a new series. I can't talk about it, but the 'Peaky Blinders' story will continue.”

— Steven Knight, Writer of Peaky Blinders

What’s next

With Tommy Shelby's death, the Peaky Blinders franchise is poised to explore a new era under the leadership of Duke Shelby. Fans can expect future installments, whether series, spin-offs or films, that expand the world of the Peaky Blinders in unexpected ways, while preserving the legacy of the iconic Tommy Shelby.

The takeaway

The death of Tommy Shelby in 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man' is a bold narrative choice that frees the acclaimed crime drama to explore new directions and characters, while cementing Tommy's lasting impact on the Peaky Blinders legacy. This transition marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new chapter that promises to captivate audiences with its unpredictable future.