Peaky Blinders Initial Main Star Choice Can Ruin Thomas Shelby For You

Summary:

• Fans of Peaky Blinders debate whether Cillian Murphy 's charm and good looks were key for Thomas Shelby's popularity.
• Some wonder if a less conventionally attractive actor would have garnered the same love for the character.
• Jason Statham was initially considered for the role.

If you’ve watched Peaky Blinders, you know that about half of the show’s success is a merit of Cillian Murphy, the actor who brilliantly brought the show’s protagonist, Thomas Shelby, to life.

Fans of the show brought up an interesting question on Reddit: would we still be head over heels for Thomas Shelby if he wasn't played by the charming and good-looking Cillian Murphy?

First off, let's acknowledge the elephant in the room — Cillian Murphy is undeniably easy on the eyes. His portrayal of Thomas Shelby, the bad boy with power, has undoubtedly made it easier for us to fall in love with the character.

A Reddit user brought up an interesting point: what if someone less conventionally attractive played Thomas Shelby? Would we still be making memes and quoting him left and right? It's a tough question.

To get an answer, you should know that Cillian Murphy wasn’t the first choice for the role.

Jason Statham Was Initially Considered for the Role of Thomas Shelby

Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, revealed to Esquire that Jason Statham was his first choice to play the iconic character. Knight had sit-downs with both Murphy and Statham to discuss the role and swayed towards Statham at first, mainly due to his commanding physical presence.

However, Cillian Murphy was convincing enough to snag the role, and given how brilliant his performance was, it’s safe to say that was the right call. Jason Statham is a great actor, but let’s just admit that it would have been a very different kind of Peaky Blinders with him in the leading role.

But fans believe there's more to Thomas Shelby than just his looks. They mentioned that it's not just about being a good-looking bad boy.

While Cillian's looks might initially draw viewers in, it's his portrayal of Tommy's personality, bravery, and complexity that keeps us hooked. It's about how he embodies the character's intelligence, tactical mind, and the mental struggles he faces.

Cillian didn't just win us over because he's attractive. He's an incredible actor who makes us wrestle with our morals, seeing past the pretty face to the cold-hearted monster beneath.

Sources: Esquire on YT, Reddit