Fans of BBC series Peaky Blinders have finally discovered Tommy Shelby’s fate in the last ever episode of the popular drama.
With Tommy diagnosed with a life threatening illness and his cousin Michael Gray determined to exact his revenge and kill Tommy once and for all, fans feared it was the end for the fearless Peaky Blinders leader.
But as the show came to its poignant conclusion, what is next for Cillian?
With news of a Peaky Blinders film on the horizon, and Cillian becoming one of the most critically acclaimed actors of a generation, it seems the door is wide open as he steps into the next phase of his career.
With Bond rumours circulating, big Hollywood film news and a potential Peaky Blinders return, Daily Star takes a look at what Cillian Murphy could do next.
Bond…James Bond
(Image: Getty Images)
Cillian Murphy is one of the many actors whose name has been hotly tipped to take over the role of James Bond from Daniel Craig.
Bookmaker Coral has tipped the Tommy Shelby actor to become the new James Bond, with current odds of 3-1, making Cillian a strong contender to take over the role.
He is only narrowly eclipsed by The Witcher actor Henry Cavill, who is the current favourite to become the next Bond with odds of 2-1.
Speaking about Cillian becoming one of the favourites to become Bond, Coral’s PR Manager John Hill said: “Cillian Murphy has reminded us all of what a great actor he is in the latest series of Peaky Blinders.
“We are seeing strong support for the man who plays Tommy Shelby to be the next 007.”
(Image: Press Association Images)
However, Cillian is not the only Peaky Blinders actor who could be in the running for the role, as Alfie Solomon’s star Tom Hardy has long been rumoured for Bond too, and currently had odds of 4-1.
Other stars also in the running as favourites to play Bond include Bridgerton’s Rege-Jean Page, Luther star Idris Elba, Belfast’s Jamie Dornan, Bodyguard star Richard Madden and actress Lashana Lynch.
Fellow Bookmakers are also listing stars including Tom Hardy, Rege-Jean Page and Cillian Murphy as favourites to play Bond too, with Ladbrokes citing Cillian’s odds as 12/1 to take over from Daniel Craig.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Cillian Murphy may well get the 007 gig by order of the Bond chiefs with Peaky Blinders soon set to come to an end.”
With so many stars tipped to be the new Bond however, no one can say for sure who it might be, but with Cillian as a favourite, it might not be long until fans possibly hear the words Murphy…Cillian Murphy…
Hollywood calling
(Image: Internet Unknown)
Even if Cillian Murphy is not cast as the new James Bond, the star is no stranger to Hollywood after appearing in hit blockbuster films including 28 Days Later, Batman Begins and Dunkirk.
He may have won hearts as Tommy Shelby, and become one of TV’s leading actors, but now he could be set to win even more hearts on the big screen again too.
One of his regular collaborators is Christopher Nolan, and it has been confirmed that one of Cillian’s next jobs will be playing the lead role in the award winning director’s next film.
(Image: Warner Bros. Pictures.)
Cillian is reported to be working on a film called Oppenheimer, with playing the lead character alongside a stellar cast including Kenneth Branagh and Florence Pugh.
The news will come as a delight to fans, who will not have long to wait to see Cillian back on our screens again.
With a Hollywood role already on the cards, it seems that Cillian could also be cementing his status as a leading man in the film world too, following a string of successful film roles in the past.
(Image: Getty Images)
The actor himself has also said he will be there whenever director Christopher Nolan needs him, telling The Guardian: “I’ll always turn up for Chris, whatever the size of the part.
“Chris will call me up and I’m there. Isn’t it wonderful that filmmakers are still making challenging, demanding films within the studio system, shot on film rather than Imax? I think he’s flying the flag.”
“Him, Paul Thomas Anderson and Quentin Tarantino, are fantastic filmmakers making interesting work on a massive scale.”
Peaky Blinders return
(Image: BBC/Caryn Mandabach/Robert Viglasky)
Many fans were left devastated during the final series of Peaky Blinders, when Tommy was diagnosed with a terminal illness called tuberculoma.
After the doctor gave Tommy just over one year to live, many fans took to social media to predict that he will die in the final episode – and at the time of writing, viewers are still waiting to see what happens to him as the final episode airs.
(Image: BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd/Tiger Aspect/Robert Viglasky)
However if Tommy does die, fans do not think it will be the end of the story – with some predicting that he will still be a presence in the Peaky Blinders spin-off film, due for release in 2023.
As the Peaky Blinder’s official Twitter page released a clip from the feature length final episode, one fan said: “One last dance. Well at least until the movie comes out lol,” while a second added: “There will be a movie to conclude the story. Episode 6 is not the conclusion.”
(Image: BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd./Robert Viglasky)
Even if Tommy does die in the final episode, the writers could bring him back in flashback scenes in the film, or as a ghost, meaning that if his story is over in the series, it does not necessarily mean his story is over in the whole Peaky Blinders story.
Shortly before the final series was due to air, Bookmakers Paddy Power cited low odds of 50/1 for Cillian not to appear in future Peaky Blinders content, meaning that a return to the franchise could still be on the cards.
Could Cillian come back to play the character once more? Viewers will have to wait and see.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
