Cillian Murphy: Why did star almost reject Peaky Blinders script? 'I couldn't understand'
CILLIAN MURPHY has been the star of Peaky Blinders since it first began on the BBC. But why did he almost reject the script early on?
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Peaky Blinders would not be the same without Cillian Murphy in the leading role of Tommy Shelby. However, the star has opened up about how he almost rejected the script very early on for a very specific reason. Here’s what you need to know about this.
Why did Cillian Murphy almost reject the Peaky Blinders script?
Tommy Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy) is one of fans’ favourite characters in the BBC gangster series.
Murphy is a big part of what has made Peaky Blinders so successful with viewers loving his portrayal of the troubled leader of the gang.
He has become such a huge part of the series since it first began in 2013, fans might struggle to imagine the show without him.
However, the actor has actually opened up about one of the things which almost turned him away from the series in the early stages.
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Speaking during the BUILD series back in August 2019, Murphy revealed how he ended up involved in the show.
He explained: "I was aware that there was something changing in television, this was seven or eight years ago, I think everyone was kind of aware.
"Those iconic American shows had been on and we watched them and everyone was kind of conscious of that.
"I think the BBC were conscious of that and so I was keen to read some good scripts and they were the first TV scripts I got sent."
However, during the interview, he revealed he almost didn’t bother with them due to the title.
Murphy added: "I couldn't understand the title, didn't know what it meant.
"I was like 'I don't know about that, what does that mean?'"
However, luckily for fans of the show, the star persevered and went on to read the opening scripts.
He also revealed how as soon as he did, he was sold on Steven Knight’s work and wanted to join the show.
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He said: “I read the opening sequence, it was so beautiful and mythical and epic and then I was just in and hooked.
"I knew I had to do it and for me the idea that the show, the writing could start at that level of quality and keep getting richer and deeper and more complex as we've gone on, that never happens."
Murphy has since gone on to star in five seasons of the BBC drama series.
He will also be returning for the upcoming season six of the show, which has been commissioned.
Although, there are currently some delays facing the new outing of the show.
This is because filming was initially postponed due to the outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19.
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As a result, production on the series has been rescheduled to early 2021.
This also means viewers will be unlikely to see any of the show until 2022 at the earliest.
When it does return, it is expected to pick up straight after the season five cliffhanger which saw Tommy hold a gun to his head.
Viewers are hoping to find out what happened next as well as who among his inner circle betrayed him.
Peaky Blinders seasons 1-5 are available to stream on Netflix now.