Cillian Murphy has opened up about the unexpected global popularity of the iconic haircut worn by his character Tommy Shelby, as he reprises the role in the new film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
First introduced when the hit TV series premiered in 2013, Shelby’s distinctive undercut—shaved on the sides with longer hair on top—quickly became one of the show’s most recognisable visual trademarks.
Members of the Peaky Blinders gang also sported variations of the style, helping solidify its place as a symbol of the franchise.
Now 49, Murphy returns to play Shelby in the film, which continues the storyline after the television series concluded in 2022.
In an interview with People magazine, he expressed how humbling it is to see the hairstyle embraced worldwide, saying fans from Buenos Aires to Turkey and Mexico have admired it.
Despite its immense popularity, Murphy admitted he was initially not fond of the cut.
Preferring to avoid wigs because they can appear “phony,” he committed to the real haircut for authenticity.
Over time, he has grown more tolerant of it and said he was surprised to see the style embraced in fashion circles.
In earlier interviews, he joked that the haircut was “disgusting” but acknowledged that its historical inspiration was practical, as it helped prevent lice infestations.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man brings back several familiar faces, including Ada (Sophie Rundle), Hayden Stagg (Stephen Graham), Charlie Strong (Ned Dennehy), Johnny Dogs (Packy Lee), and Curly (Ian Peck). New cast members include Rebecca Ferguson as Kaulo and Tim Roth as John Beckett.
In the film’s plot, Shelby is living in hiding and writing a novel until his son Duke (Barry Keoghan) and a looming Nazi-related plot pull him back into the violent world of the Peaky Blinders.
The film is currently showing in theatres and will begin streaming on Netflix on March 20.
Murphy’s return to the role not only highlights his enduring connection to Tommy Shelby but also demonstrates how a character’s style, particularly Shelby’s iconic haircut, can influence global fashion and cultural trends, solidifying the Peaky Blinders’ impact on both television and popular culture. (ANI)
