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THE IMMORTAL MAN

Irish Film

THE IMMORTAL MAN

After nearly four years, PEAKY BLINDERS returns with THE IMMORTAL MAN, arriving in UK cinemas March 6 before Netflix on March 20. Creator Steven Knight brings back Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, and has recommended which episodes fans should revisit before watching.

THE IMMORTAL MAN sets up a fascinating conflict as Barry Keoghan joins as Tommy’s son, Erasmus ‘Duke’ Shelby. The supporting cast includes Sophie Rundle, Stephen Graham, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth. The trailer reveals Ada telling Tommy that his son now leads the Peaky Blinders “like it’s 1919,” echoing the show’s original timeline.

Knight suggests three essential episodes to watch first. The 2013 series premiere, which originally aired on BBC, tops his list. Knight explained it “lays out what the whole series is about” and introduces Tommy Shelby in a way that’s “pretty unequivocal about who this person is,” establishing the Shelby family’s fearsome reputation.

Second is the season two finale, where Tommy assassinates Chester Campbell (Sam Neill). Knight called it one of his favourite sequences, revealing a pivotal moment: “Here is a man who is not sure if he wants to live or die… we can see that he actually chooses life.” This internal struggle resonates throughout THE IMMORTAL MAN.

Finally, the series six finale captures Tommy’s departure from Birmingham, serving as a haunting bookend to his journey. Knight’s selections form a narrative thread connecting the show’s genesis, thematic heart, and emotional climax, preparing audiences for Tommy’s reckoning with his son in THE IMMORTAL MAN.

Irish Film

THE BRIDE! World Premiere

THE BRIDE! World Premiere

THE BRIDE! World Premiere

Jessie Buckley arrived at the World Premiere of THE BRIDE in London on Thursday evening riding an extraordinary wave of momentum, fresh from winning a BAFTA just days earlier. The Irish actress, who plays the film’s titular character, commanded the red carpet at Cineworld Leicester Square with the confidence of someone who has thoroughly earned her place among the most versatile and accomplished performers of her generation. She greeted fans and posed for photographs in high spirits, cementing what has become a remarkable and seemingly unstoppable run across film, television, and theatre.

THE BRIDE, arriving in UK cinemas nationwide on March 6, represents a bold reimagining of the Frankenstein mythology that strips away the familiar trappings of the classic tale and rebuilds it from the ground up. Set against the backdrop of 1930s Chicago, the film tells the story of a murdered young woman who is brought back to life, intended to serve as a companion to Frankenstein’s Monster. But rather than accept the passive role assigned to her, she begins to forge her own fierce and independent identity within a sprawling world of gangsters, corruption, and profound social upheaval. Director, writer, and producer Maggie Gyllenhaal has described the project as a subversive take on a classic tale, one that masterfully blends gothic romance with the gritty aesthetics of a crime narrative, and she reunites with Buckley following their previous collaboration.

The premiere itself became a star-studded affair, with an impressive roster of co-stars joining Buckley on the red carpet. Christian Bale, who takes on the role of Frankenstein’s Monster, drew enthusiastic cheers from assembled fans, while Jake Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard added considerable star power to the evening. Penélope Cruz rounded out the ensemble, bringing a touch of old-Hollywood glamour to the proceedings and underscoring the scale and ambition of what promises to be one of the year’s most talked-about films.

Irish Film

Andrew Scott in WALK THE BLUE FIELDS

Andrew Scott in WALK THE BLUE FIELDS

Andrew Scott in WALK THE BLUE FIELDS

WALK THE BLUE FIELDS is shaping up to be a compelling romance with serious star power, following the announcement that Andrew Scott has joined an already impressive ensemble cast. The film, led by Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt, adapts Claire Keegan’s short story of the same name into what promises to be an emotionally resonant exploration of love, sacrifice, and impossible choices. Set against the Irish landscape, the narrative centers on a woman confronting a devastating truth on what should be the happiest day of her life, when a long-buried love triangle from her past threatens to unravel everything she’s worked toward.

Scott’s addition marks a significant coup for the production, joining fellow newcomers Tom Cullen and Ciarán Hinds in roles that remain tantalizingly mysterious. The acclaimed actor, celebrated for transformative performances in SHERLOCK and FLEABAG, has proven his range across an eclectic array of projects, from the psychological thriller RIPLEY to the BAFTA-nominated drama ALL OF US STRANGERS. Most recently, he brought intensity to BLUE MOON opposite Ethan Hawke and demonstrated his ability to balance humor and tension in WAKE UP DEAD MAN, the latest entry in the increasingly unpredictable KNIVES OUT series. With PRESSURE, a World War II drama, and ELSINORE alongside Olivia Colman already lined up for the coming months, Scott’s schedule reflects a career in full creative momentum.

Director John Crowley, whose masterful handling of BROOKLYN established his ability to capture intimate human moments within sweeping narratives, takes the helm with a script from playwright and screenwriter Conor McPherson. This creative team signals an approach that prioritizes emotional depth and nuanced character work—precisely what Keegan’s source material demands. The pairing of such thoughtful filmmaking sensibilities with this powerhouse cast suggests WALK THE BLUE FIELDS could be something truly special, a film that honors the quiet devastation of its source material while expanding it into a fully realized cinematic experience. As details about Scott, Cullen, and Hinds’s specific roles slowly emerge, anticipation continues to build for what could be one of the year’s most moving films.

Irish Film

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Jamie Dornan in THE UNDERTOW

Jamie Dornan in THE UNDERTOW

Jamie Dornan in THE UNDERTOW

Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of the Norwegian series Twin, retitled THE UNDERTOW, promises to deliver the kind of delicious psychological thriller that has audiences on the edge of their seats. The concept alone—identical twins, hidden identities, and the question of which brother is really dead—taps into a rich tradition of twin narratives that have captivated viewers for decades. With Jamie Dornan taking on the dual role of brothers Adam and Lee, the streamer is banking on the kind of complicated, morally gray character work that made him unforgettable in FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, only this time with considerably higher stakes and far more intrigue.

The series follows Nicola, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage to Adam, whose arrival is upended when Lee—Adam’s long-estranged identical twin—suddenly reappears in her life. The complication that elevates this premise from standard thriller fare is that Nicola and Lee share a romantic history, a detail that simmers beneath the surface and threatens to ignite the entire narrative. When a split-second accident kills Adam, Nicola faces an impossible choice, and the one she makes with Lee sets off a chain reaction that unspools across a single, breathless week. Together, they decide to manipulate the investigation by falsifying which twin actually died, betting that authorities will assume the carefree Lee is the victim while the more reserved Adam lived. What unfolds is equal parts messy and tense—a high-wire act of deception where the emotional boundaries between Nicola and Lee blur dangerously as their buried feelings resurface amid the chaos of maintaining their lie.

Dornan carries the series as both brothers, a demanding dual performance that requires him to embody two distinct personalities while suggesting the psychological and emotional toll of his character’s descent into deception. Mackenzie Davis plays Nicola with what promises to be a nuanced intensity, anchoring the narrative as the woman who becomes the linchpin of the conspiracy. Supporting players including Iain de Caestecker as Marty Munro and Gary Lewis round out an ensemble that feels distinctly Scottish and wonderfully noir in its sensibilities, lending the production a moody, atmospheric quality that complements its dark subject matter.

As for when viewers can actually watch this unhinged identity swap unfold, THE UNDERTOW is slated for a 2026 release on Netflix, having shifted from its originally planned 2025 UK slate. Filming wrapped in 2024 after production across the Scottish Highlands, Sutherland, and the Isle of Mull, so the project has been in post-production for some time, allowing the streamer to fine-tune what could be one of its most compelling crime dramas in years.

Irish Film

THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH gets HBO release

Farrell's SLIGHTES TOUCH gets HBO release

Farrell's SLIGHTES TOUCH gets HBO release

Emma Fogarty has lived a life that defied the odds. Diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare and devastatingly painful genetic condition that leaves skin so fragile it blisters and tears at the slightest touch, doctors predicted she would never reach 40. Yet here she is, approaching that milestone birthday, ready to take on an extraordinary challenge. When her longtime friend Colin Farrell learned of her goal to complete the Dublin Marathon, he didn’t hesitate to offer his support in the most literal sense—he would push her wheelchair for the final miles of the race.

This remarkable story of resilience and friendship is now coming to screens worldwide through THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH, a documentary directed by Rachel Fleit, who previously helmed the HBO Max feature BAMA RUSH. HBO Documentary Films has acquired worldwide TV and streaming rights to the film, ensuring it will reach audiences globally when it debuts on HBO and streams on HBO Max, including in the UK and Ireland, later this year. The film is set to have its world premiere at the 2026 Dublin International Film Festival.

THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH is far more than a chronicle of a single marathon, however. It’s an intimate portrait of two lives intertwined by an enduring friendship that has sustained both Emma and Farrell through the years. The documentary captures not just the physical challenge of the Dublin Marathon, but the deeper emotional landscape of their relationship—a bond forged through adversity and sustained by genuine care. In following their journey together, the film offers a window into what it truly means to show up for someone, to refuse to let circumstances define the possible, and to find strength in connection.

For viewers, THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH promises to be both an inspiring testament to human determination and a moving exploration of friendship at its finest. As Farrell continues his work with HBO, including potential developments with THE PENGUIN, audiences will have the opportunity to see him in a wholly different light—not as an actor in a scripted drama, but as a devoted friend bearing witness to an extraordinary life.

Irish Film

Ciaran Hands wins IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award

Ciaran Hinds IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award

Ciaran Hinds IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award

When Ciarán Hinds stepped onto the red carpet at Dublin’s Irish Film & Television Academy Awards, he carried with him five decades of remarkable work—though he admits he rarely thinks about it that way. The Oscar-nominated Belfast actor was honoured with a lifetime achievement award on Friday night, a recognition that seemed to catch even him off guard. “It’s kind of shocking,” he told The Irish News, reflecting on a career that has spanned five decades and touched everything from intimate stage performances to global television phenomena like GAME OF THRONES and celebrated films such as BELFAST, IS THIS THING ON? and TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY.

What’s striking about Hinds is his philosophy toward his own extraordinary journey. He tends not to dwell on the past, preferring instead to remain present and focused on what comes next. “I only worked it out recently that I’ve been doing this for 50 years, because I tend not to look behind,” he explained. “I just look ahead and live in the moment. But when you realise that it’s been 50 years since somebody gave you your first job, it’s kind of shocking, really.” This perspective—a combination of gratitude and forward momentum—seems to define not just how he views his career, but how he has sustained it.

The north Belfast actor’s career began where many find their footing: on stage. He recalls one of his earliest roles with the kind of humility that characterizes his entire approach to his work. He was “the back end” of a pantomime horse in a production of CINDERELLA, a modest beginning that belies the illustrious path that would follow. Yet even with decades of acclaimed performances across theatre, film, and television, Hinds suggests that success in acting has never been something to be predicted or planned. The craft, he suggests, is inherently unpredictable—a reminder that even the most accomplished careers unfold in ways their architects could never have anticipated when they were playing horses at pantomime.

Irish Film

THE IMMORTAL MAN trailer released

THE IMMORTAL MAN trailer released

THE IMMORTAL MAN trailer released

Netflix has finally unveiled the full trailer for THE IMMORTAL MAN, the highly anticipated Peaky Blinders film that marks the continuation of Steven Knight’s acclaimed television saga. The trailer confirms that Oscar winner Cillian Murphy will reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby, the flat cap-wearing criminal mastermind, as he returns to Birmingham during the devastation of World War Two.

The film boasts an impressive ensemble of new and returning talent. Rebecca Ferguson, known for her work in DUNE, joins the cast alongside Tim Roth from RESERVOIR DOGS and Barry Keoghan from SALTBURN, who takes on the role of Shelby’s son—a young man desperately in need of guidance. Stephen Graham, an accomplished actor recognized for ADOLESCENCE, returns to the fold, as does Sophie Rundle, reprising her role as Tommy’s sister Ada. The supporting cast rounds out with appearances from Ned Dennehy, Packy Lee, Ian Peck, and Jay Lycurgo.

According to the trailer’s revelations, Tommy faces a reckoning of devastating proportions. Ferguson’s character confronts him with harsh truths, noting that he lives in “a house haunted with ghosts of people who died because of you” while accusing him of abandoning both his kingdom and his son. Ada delivers equally cutting words, explaining that Tommy’s illegitimate firstborn son, Duke Shelby—now portrayed menacingly by Keoghan—has taken control of the Peaky Blinders and is running them “like it’s 1919, all over again.” Tommy’s response, “I can’t help him, because I’m not that man anymore,” rings hollow, convincing neither the people around him nor himself.

Set in Birmingham in 1940 amid the rubble and chaos of World War Two, THE IMMORTAL MAN shows a greying and weathered Shelby driven back from self-imposed exile to confront his most destructive reckoning yet. The stakes have never been higher—with the future of his family and the nation itself hanging in the balance, Tommy must decide whether to face his demons and confront his legacy or burn everything to the ground. The Birmingham he once commanded has transformed in his absence, and nothing remains as he left it.

Directed by Tom Harper and written once again by Knight, THE IMMORTAL MAN arrives in select cinemas on March 6, with its streaming release on Netflix following two weeks later on March 20.

Irish Film

Hewson to team up with Abrahamson

Hewson teams up with Abrahamson

Hewson teams up with Abrahamson

Eve Hewson is set to reunite with director Lenny Abrahamson for an untitled new film that promises to be one of the more intriguing Irish productions in recent memory. The pair, who previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed series NORMAL PEOPLE and CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS, will head back to Dublin in early March to begin filming what is shaping up to be a richly layered period drama. Set against the vibrant and complex backdrop of 1970s Dublin, the film will explore the city’s Jewish community, offering a window into a distinct cultural and historical world that rarely gets the big-screen treatment it deserves.

Joining Hewson is English actor Tom Burke, while newcomer Shane Meagher makes his debut in the role of Davey, a 12-year-old boy navigating the quiet turbulence of adolescence as the dynamics within his parents’ marriage begin to shift around him. It’s the kind of coming-of-age thread that, in the right hands, can anchor an entire film emotionally, and with Abrahamson at the helm, surrounded by much of the same creative team that made his previous work so affecting, there’s every reason to believe this one will land.

Irish Film