Cillian Murphy sent THIS text to ‘Peaky Blinders’ creator after Thomas Shelby audition
Cillian Murphy played Thomas Shelby in all six season of 'Peaky Blinders' from 2013-2022
Cillian Murphy recalled rare insights into how he landed the role of Thomas Shelby in hit series Peaky Blinders.
Murphy, who impressed his fans globally as lethal and unshakeable protagonist Shelby, shared the text he sent to the Peaky Blinders writer, Stephen Knight, admitting that he was not his first choice for the role of the family patriarch.
During his interview with BBC's Desert Island Discs radio, the Oppenheimer actor shared, "“I wasn’t the obvious choice physically. I don’t know if I convinced Stephen in the meeting, but apparently afterwards I sent him a text that said: ‘Remember, I am an actor.’ And I do believe that. I do think it is our duty as actors to transform to whatever the part demands."
The Dunkirk actor also shared his willingness to reprise the role once again, if there is still some story of Thomas Shelby left.
“If there is more story to tell, and if Stephen Knight delivers a script like I know he can, then I will be there,” Cillian Murphy said.
Read More: Cillian Murphy discussion with Steven Knight hints at return of Netflix ‘Peaky Blinders’
He added, “I mean, if we want to watch 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, I will be there. Let’s do it.”
Talking about his 2023's blockbuster hit Oppenheimer, which also garnered Murphy the best actor nomination in the upcoming Oscars, the Inception star said, he realized that the portrayal “would be ultimately a synthesis of the script, all the stuff that I was absorbing of him, and then an element of yourself in it."
He continued, "And then you put it all in the mix and that becomes Chris’s version and my version of Oppenheimer."
The Irish actor, who also earned the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice honours for Oppenheimer has learned to enjoy awards season, as he said, “But you can choose to enjoy it. You can make that alteration in your brain. Really, you would be an eejit not to enjoy it. Just go with it.”
Cillian Murphy played the character of J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's directorial biopic of the late nuclear physicist.
Alongside Murphy, the ensemble cast of the film included, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, and Rami Malik.
