5 times birthday boy Cillian Murphy was a total badass on Peaky Blinders

Cillian Murphy has conquered both the world of television and films. The Irish actor who is known for his high quality, intense performances has portrayed some incredible roles in films like the Batman franchise, Inception and Dunkirk. A regular star in Christopher Nolan’s projects, it is Murphy’s distinct steely eyed determination on screen that has won the hearts of audiences. The same dedication pervades his real life off screen when he is found to be preparing for his roles. The actor, who was a vegetarian for 15 years, began eating meat again for his role as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders. He also went one step further in his preparation for this classy gangster by living with Gypsies in order to understand his character’s heritage.

The actor, who turns 45 today, has been one of the best performers to have gained recognition in the last decade. But even the most die-hard fans who have done their fair share of research about his filmography believe that his role as Thomas in Peaky Blinders is his best yet. The leader of the criminal gang and the patriarch of the Shelby family, Thomas has seen immense heartbreak, loss, triumph and progress in the five seasons of the show and Murphy’s embodiment of a dangerous gentleman could not have been better. Here are five Thomas Shelby moments from Peaky Blinders where Cillian Murphy was a total badass:

1. When Thomas threatens Alfie in season 2

Peaky Blinders’ relationship with Alfie is one of many complicated relationships on the show. Though he is their rival, they find themselves striking a deal with him in order to expand. Just when the viewers think the Shelby family will have to cave, Thomas presents his trump card. He craftily intimidates Alfie, which is no easy feat to begin with, and tells him that a grenade has been planted to blow the location up in an instant if need be. Unable to realise if Thomas is bluffing, Alfie strikes a deal. This charged scene is done to perfection by Tom Hardy and Murphy where the latter displays how big of a threat he can be if his family is in danger.

2. When Thomas escapes death and lights a cigarette in season 2

Thomas has seen some close brushes with death, but nothing was as real as the time when he is dragged out to the outskirts by Campbell’s men. Accepting his fate, he lights up a cigarette and waits for death before the assassins turn on each other and he escapes unscathed. In the characteristic complexity of Thomas, he whispers, “So close”. Murphy proves himself to be a class act even in the face of death in this scene.

3. When the Peaky Blinders outsmart the Changrettas in season 4

The season 4 finale features Thomas ready to give his assets up to Luca, who seems to have won the game. A fierce conversation between the two is followed by Luca threatening to kill Thomas, who has no way to escape. But as we know, there is God and then there are the Peaky Blinders - Arthur makes a reappearance and finishes Luca off for Thomas, proving the latter is always one step ahead of his enemies and has his schemes in place.

4. When Thomas shoots Billy Kimber in season 1

Thomas takes his vow of protecting his family to the next level when he sets out to finish his feud with Billy Kimber for once and for all. Underneath the surface of calm resides a violent Thomas who is prepared to take his enemies out in broad daylight. He kills Kimber with one clean bullet lodged in his forehead and walks off in his debonair style, emerging as the true patriarch and leader of the Peaky Blinders once more.

5. When Thomas tells the Peaky Blinders off at his wedding in season 3

Thomas, who wants everything to go perfectly on his wedding with Grace, has to teach the Peaky Blinders to stay off their usual behaviour on their special day. “No fighting, no f***ing fighting!” he screams at them, asking them not to make a spectacle out of themselves in front of Grace’s family, most of whom are members of the British Army. Though the scene is not intense, it still makes audiences love Thomas a little more for caring so much about the impression that his family makes on his in-laws and for not shying away from turning into a horror for the Peaky Blinders every once in a while.