Tommy Shelby’s past is catching up with him in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. Barry Keoghan plays Duke, the son Tommy never knew existed until Season 6 dropped the bombshell.

The film fast-forwards to 1940, where Duke controls the Peaky Blinders while his father hides from the world. What happens when a reckless heir takes over a criminal empire? The movie answers that question with counterfeit schemes, wartime betrayals, and a father forced to clean up his son’s mess.

CategoryDetailsCreated BySteven KnightDirected ByTom HarperStarringCillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, Sophie Rundle, Stephen GrahamRelease DateMarch 20, 2026Streaming OnNetflix

Tommy Shelby’s Long-Lost Son in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man

Duke Shelby showed up in Birmingham with secrets Tommy couldn’t ignore. Esme Shelby-Lee delivered the news after Ruby died; Tommy had a kid before World War I. Duke’s mother, Zelda, raised him alone, moving between Romani camps while the Shelbys built their empire. Growing up that way turned Duke into someone who fights dirty and asks questions later.

Conrad Khan played the character when he first joined the family. Tommy spotted something familiar in how Duke handled violence and read people. He wasn’t just another Shelby relative looking for handouts. Duke earned his place by proving he could survive the gang’s brutal politics. His arrival sparked tension, especially around who deserved to lead once Tommy stepped back.

Keoghan replaces Khan for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, and the shift makes sense. Years have passed since the series ended. Duke isn’t testing the waters anymore. He’s running the entire operation while Tommy disappears into isolation. The kid who showed up with nothing now holds all the power.

Why Barry Keoghan’s Duke Could Be the Future Leader of the Peaky Blinders

Barry Keoghan and Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders | Credits: Netflix

Duke’s leadership drags the Peaky Blinders into the chaos of World War II they can’t control. He gets tangled up with counterfeit money operations tied to Nazi collaborators. These aren’t small-time Birmingham rackets anymore. Duke’s playing games that threaten the country, and Tommy has to come back to stop the disaster.

The movie tests whether Duke can actually fill Tommy’s shoes or if he’ll burn everything down trying. He’s got the violence and the ambition, but he grew up outside the Shelby machine. That outsider perspective could either save the gang or destroy it. Six seasons tracked Tommy’s climb from street thug to political operator. The Immortal Man flips the script by showing what happens when the next generation takes over.

Duke isn’t just another character. He represents where the franchise goes after Tommy’s story ends. The father-son clash at the center of this film asks the real question: Can the Peaky Blinders survive without Tommy, or does the whole thing collapse when he’s gone?

Can Duke prove he’s more than Tommy’s mistake, or will his leadership be the thing that finally kills the Peaky Blinders? Comment below.

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man hits select theaters on March 6 and then on Netflix on March 20th.
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