Peaky Blinders’ creator addresses real-life figures behind Tommy Shelby
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight opened up about the real-life inspiration behind Tommy Shelby during a Reddit AMA
Devotees of Peaky Blinders are eagerly anticipating The Immortal Man's release on Netflix.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man recently premiered in cinemas and features a fresh face taking on the role of Duke Shelby (played by Barry Keoghan) as a new danger forces Birmingham crime boss Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) from retirement, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Now, Peaky Blinders' creator Steven Knight has revealed details about the real-world figures who influenced the legendary character brought to life by Oscar winner Murphy.
During a Reddit Ask Me Anything session, Knight elaborated on Tommy's origins: "I don't know where the characters I write actually come from. I used to pretend I had a plan, that I had a structure in advance, but I don't. I tend to just start writing.
"The character of Tommy-it's a bit like having a dream for me. Suddenly, this character is there."
"If you analyse it, I suppose it comes from my dad and uncles and people of that generation. Men were different then. They wouldn't let any emotion show. They were like locked boxes.
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"I think of Tommy as being locked. If somebody comes across a box that's locked, you want to get in."
Knight continued: "Tommy doesn't let you in-except sometimes he does. And when he does, it's like, wow. It's a celebration."
The celebrated screenwriter, who's also responsible for SAS Rogue Heroes, Taboo and House of Guinness, has previously disclosed how the concept for Peaky Blinders originated from tales he heard whilst growing up amongst his relatives. The Peaky Blinders were indeed a violent street gang, although their reign of terror primarily spanned the 1880s to the 1920s, rather than the era portrayed in the drama series.
The gang was embroiled in organised crimes, including illicit bookmaking, and were recognised for their bespoke suits and flat caps with razor blades concealed within the peaks.
During the AMA, one fan queried Knight as to why Birmingham was such an ideal backdrop.
The writer responded: "For me, I mean, it's my hometown and I love it for all its glories and faults.
"I think it's a place where people make things, they always have, it's where the industrial revolution began.
"In the 20s and 30s it had like a rhythm, it was a just the factories were all panning and panning."
Knight added that: "But it also has a population of people who don't to be too big for their boots.
"They don't want to overstate, they always understate, they never bang their drum and I just thought I would take on the role of the person who bangs the drum for Birmingham."
Alongside Knight, the AMA featured lead actor Murphy, co-star Tim Roth and director Tom Harper.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is screening in selected cinemas and will be released on Netflix on March 20
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