Barry Keoghan reveals Peaky Blinders casting story on Hits Radio
Barry Keoghan has revealed how a Father’s Day text message led to his role in the Peaky Blinders film during a visit to Hits Radio.
The actor joined Fleur East, Will Best and James Barr in the Hits Radio studio to talk about his latest role in Peaky Blinders: An Immortal Man, where he plays Duke, the son of Tommy Shelby.
The film continues the story of the TV drama on the big screen, with Cillian Murphy returning as the gang leader.
During the interview, Barry explained that the opportunity came after a simple message to Murphy.
“Every actor needs to text their favourite older actor Happy Father’s Day! I’ve always kept in touch with him, and I text him Happy Father’s Day and he said ‘Do you want to play my son Duke?’ That’s how it happened and it was a no brainer.”
Barry said he later read the script and was drawn to the relationship between the characters.
“I got the script and read it and that’s what screamed to me was that dynamic of emulating Tommy Shelby and trying to be Tommy Shelby and then seeing just a boy cry out for his father.”
The conversation also turned to Barry’s earlier film Saltburn when Will Best joked that he had watched Peaky Blinders in the bath to get the “Barry Keoghan experience”, referencing a well-known scene from the movie.
Will’s comment prompted Barry to reveal what was actually used for the water in the scene.
“It was just lovely milk by the way, it was just full fat milk!!”
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