Peaky Blinders: 5 stars besides Cillian Murphy who would have been the perfect Tommy Shelby 

Academy Award and BAFTA-winning Irish star Cillian Murphy has become synonymous with his role of Tommy Shelby in Steven Knight's Peaky Blinders. The actor has played the lead Birmingham gangster throughout the six seasons of the show, making it impossible to think of anybody else stepping into Tommy's shoes.

However, the moral conflicts and ambiguities of the character certainly invite intrigue. What if the role hadn’t belonged to Murphy? Who else in Hollywood could have taken on such a formidable challenge? To embody Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders requires more than a cold stare or a silent demeanour. It demands an actor capable of capturing the inner fractures and the magnetic charm perfectly channeled by Cillian Murphy.

While it is certainly difficult to imagine anybody else in the magnetic role, we turn our attention to five such stars besides Cillian Murphy who would have been the perfect Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders.

*Disclaimer: This article is based on the author's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.*

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Peaky Blinders: Here are 5 stars besides Cillian Murphy who can nail Tommy Shelby's character

These might be bold choices, but each of these actors would have been the perfect Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders. Here is the complete list:

1) Tom Hardy

Starting strong with Tom Hardy, who plays the Jewish gangster Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders. In another world, Hardy would be the perfect Tommy Shelby, partly because the actor managed to overshadow Murphy's lead character in many sequences from the show. The English actor has proven his acting prowess in big-screen titles like The Revenant, Inception and Venom.

Why Tom Hardy fits this role: The title that certainly makes the case for Tom Hardy as Tommy is Josh Trank's 2020 biographical film Capone, where the actor played the titular and notorious gangster Al Capone. Hardy's screen presence and body language in the film were impressive, proving that he would nail Tommy Shelby's character.

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2) Oscar Issac

Choosing an American actor for Tommy Shelby's character in Peaky Blinders might be controversial but Oscar Issac fits the profile perfectly. Currently, the world is gushing over his portrayal of Victor Frankenstein in Guillermo del Toro's adaptation, which proves that Issac can truly nail anti-hero and grey characters.

Why Oscar Issac fits this role: To make the case, one should turn to J. C. Chandor's 2014 crime drama film A Most Violent Year, where Issac played the character of Abel Morales, a cold and cunning businessman running an oil company. His character had all the values of Tommy Shelby, proving that he can certainly channel his inner darkness for a role.

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3) Colin Farrell

A fellow Irish actor, Colin Farrell needs no introduction (and the least convincing from this list) as he has all the qualities to portray Tommy Shelby on-screen. The Emmy and Academy-nominated actor perfectly fits in the Peaky Blinders world, thanks to his brooding on-screen presence and command in every role that he portrays.

Why Colin Farrell fits this role: Look no further, as Farrell's breakthrough role of Oswald Cobb in Lauren LeFranc's miniseries The Penguin makes his case. Farrell's portrayal of a ruthless and disfigured man, aiming to climb the social ladder in Gotham's underworld scene, was flawless. The actor's ability to adapt to any role proves that he fits Tommy's profile effortlessly.

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4) Michael Fassbender

X-Men film series' breakthrough German-Irish actor is another promising candidate who could have nailed Tommy Shelby's role in Peaky Blinders. Fassbender has a knack for playing conflicting protagonists on-screen, which makes him perfect to take on Cillian Murphy's character.

Why Michael Fassbender fits this role: While Fassbender's body of work is vast, one must look back at his role as the titular assassin in David Fincher's 2023 action crime film The Killer. The actor's unnamed protagonist was methodical, detached, yet hyper-aware of his actions, much like Murphy's Tommy from Peaky Blinders. Fassbender's on-screen indifference and coldness perfectly fit the character's profile.

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5) Charlie Hunnam

English actor Charlie Hunnam is our final pick for this list of actors who can nail Tommy Shelby's character in Peaky Blinders. The Sons of Anarchy actor has an impressive hold on all his characters and brings his own charm on-screen, vital to play the lead gangster in Knight's series. His ability to balance sincerity with intensity makes him a perfect fit for Cillian Murphy's character.

Why Charlie Hunnam fits this role: Not looking much back, Charlie Hunnam's latest portrayal of the infamous serial killer Ed Gein in Ryan Murphy's Monster: The Ed Gein Story rests his case. The actor managed to weirdly charm his fans through a fascinating portrayal, proving that he can step into Murphy's shoes for the role.

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While these are just some creative 'What ifs', Cillian Murphy is not retiring his Tommy Shelby's flat cap just yet. The actor is set to return to his iconic character in the upcoming Peaky Blinders film titled The Immortal Man, which is set for an early 2026 release.

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