Belfast Actor Packy Lee Stars in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Film

Belfast actor Packy Lee stars as Johnny Dogs in the highly anticipated 2026 film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, continuing the saga of Tommy Shelby and his family amid World War Two.

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Film Anticipated in 2026

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is among the most anticipated films set for release in 2026.

At the center of the story is Belfast actor Packy Lee, who portrays Johnny Dogs, the loyal companion to gang leader Tommy Shelby.

The feature-length adaptation of the acclaimed TV drama will be available for streaming on Netflix starting Friday, 20 March.

The film stars Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, alongside an ensemble cast including Barry Keoghan, Tim Roth, Stephen Graham, and Rebecca Ferguson.

In the narrative, the destinies of Birmingham gang leader Shelby and his son Duke, played by Keoghan, become intertwined with the fate of Britain, which faces the threat of destruction during World War Two.

At the film's outset, Shelby is depicted as an isolated and haunted figure, with Johnny Dogs as his sole companion.

"I'm the person that he's kept by his side supposedly to make sure somebody does his errands for him," Lee told NI.

"It was a wonderful moment for me to grow into that role because we've moved on in time and we had lovely moments and options to find out what it was like for Tommy Shelby when he wasn't involved in the craziness of the world."

EPA Packy Lee in a dark suit with black hair is winking and pointing toward the camera. He is standing in front of a a large gold sign which says: 'Netflix Peaky Blinders The Immortal Man' — Packy Lee began to act when he was at school in west Belfast

Writer Steven Knight soon draws Shelby back into the turmoil as the Peaky Blinders' activities endanger his life and have the potential to alter the course of the war.

"The wonderful thing that Steven does is that he takes fiction and fact and puts them both beautifully together," Lee said.

"It's an absolutely wonderful experience being involved in it but it's also a great experience of history because there's a lot of it that's very true.

"We were very aware shooting it how close to reality we are."

Lee mentioned attending a cinema screening of the film, which had a two-week theatrical release prior to its Netflix debut, and observed the audience's reactions.

He refrained from revealing any spoilers but noted the enduring popularity of the TV series, which originally aired over a decade ago, and the story's continued appeal.

"It's 2026 and people are still involved in that world, and wanting to be involved in that world," he said.

"I don't just mean fans, I mean actors.

"I feel that the audience are in for a wonderful treat with the dynamic of the story, but also the performances."

Having been a long-time cast member as Johnny Dogs, Lee expressed gratitude for the response to Peaky Blinders.

"It was a small TV show on BBC Two, we moved to BBC One with the fans wanting to watch it, with the views that we were getting, with the demand for it," he said.

"I feel it's the fans' responsibility that the show actually went as long as it did, and it's the fans' responsibility that the show went to a movie because they demanded it."

Netflix Barry Keoghan (left) and Cillian Murphy in grey suits and flat caps in a scene from the film. They are both laughing and behind them a brick wall can be seen. — Irish stars Barry Keoghan and Cillian Murphy play father and son in the film

Stage and Screen: Different Experiences

Lee recently returned to the stage in Belfast at the Lyric Theatre, performing in Owen McCafferty's play Agreement, where he portrayed Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

He described stage and screen acting as "both fantastic in their own way."

"I'll explain it like this, there's a car and there's a mechanic and there's a body repair shop," he said.

"The body repair shop is sometimes the likes of making movies, all the beautiful outside is what you see.

"I feel that when we're doing plays, for example, we've a lot more time to dig in deep so we become the mechanic of the car.

"They're two completely different jobs, they're two completely different performances."

Early Career and Advice for Aspiring Actors

Lee began acting while attending school in west Belfast, though his path to Peaky Blinders involved many twists and turns.

"Nobody ever sees your no's, they only see your yeses," he said when asked about advice for young people pursuing acting.

"You're going to feel at times that it's not working or it's not the right jobs or you haven't got the jobs.

"I've also been in those positions. The only advice I could give anybody is no matter what you want to do, do not quit.

"Do not give up on your dream."

Netflix Several men in old fashioned suits are standing around a table in a basement and appear to be looking at a map which is lit up by an overhead light. One of the men on the left is pointing at the map. — Writer Steven Knight said the film is "the final chapter of this part of the story"

Future of the Peaky Blinders Universe

The Immortal Man film does not mark the end of the Peaky Blinders saga. Following the film, the series will return to television to explore the adventures of the new generation of the Shelby family after World War Two.