Cillian Murphy Tommy Shelby recently reflected on the signature backstage look that defined his “Peaky Blinders” character. The 49-year-old Irish actor has just started promoting ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’. Although the sub has sparked global trends, Murphy made it clear that he is ready to move on from there.
Premiere recognition
She shared candid thoughts at the New York premiere. Red carpet chatter turned to the viral hairstyle conversation at the event. When asked if Tommy Shelby missed the cut, Murphy gave a one-word answer: “No.” He quickly smoothed it in gratitude. “It’s really gratifying that it’s become such a phenomenon and that people all over the world, you know, in Buenos Aires, Turkey, Mexico and wherever have seen this show. It’s amazing,” he added. Netflix’s ‘Peaky Blinders’ brings back the gangster saga set in 1940 with Murphy as 50-year-old Tommy, alongside Barry Keoghan, Tim Roth and Rebecca Ferguson. Fans took notice of the famous break, driving orders from UK barbershops.
Earlier appearances
Cillian Murphy didn’t like the style from the start. On The Graham Norton Show in October 2025, he called it “really disgusting” and explained its grim origins: “You know the story behind it is to prevent lice infestation.” He confirmed that the film was finished that year, teasing a 2026 drop. In another statement, he accepted the contractual obligations. “I was worried about the haircut, but I am contractually obligated to do so. I have become more tolerant over the years. And it has become a desirable cut among fashionistas, which is strange to me.’“The textured crop with a short back and sides comes from the hooligan ‘slogger’ of the 1890s and post-World War II trench styles, according to experts,” said Murphy, who balances privacy with the stars, from Oppenheimer’s Oscar win to gangster comebacks. His witty jokes humanize the myth, showing even the legends tired of the trend. The haircut lives on, but Tommy’s essence lives on.
