Rebecca Ferguson says Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man works as a “standalone film” even if you haven’t seen the show

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is gearing up to close out Tommy Shelby’s era with a bang. The Netflix film brings back plenty of familiar faces, but it also expands the world with new players – including Rebecca Ferguson as the enigmatic Queen of the Palmer Witches, Kaulo Chirklo. And if you’re worried you need to have every twist of the series fresh in your mind before watching, Ferguson insists that isn’t the case.

Speaking with GamesRadar+ in London alongside co-star Cillian Murphy, Ferguson admits she wasn’t fully caught up when the offer landed in her lap – even though she already knew what a phenomenon Peaky Blinders had become.

“I’m not going to lie [to you, Cillian]: I watched the first two seasons, but it’s a commitment!” Ferguson says, laughing. “I’m quite happy to be honest that I didn’t. A lot of people say, ‘How do you feel about the fact that there’s such a big fan base?’ That freaks me out.”

Ferguson isn’t only playing Kaulo Chirklo – a figure who appears to have the unsettling ability to commune with the dead – but also Kaulo’s twin sister, Zelda. The film reveals that Zelda, who has been dead for years, is the mother of Duke Shelby (Barry Keoghan): Tommy’s illegitimate son, now running the Peaky Blinders in Tommy’s absence.

For Ferguson, joining the franchise wasn’t the result of a long pursuit or careful planning. The invitation, she says, came unexpectedly – and directly from Murphy, who is also closely involved as a producer on the movie.

“What I loved was when Cillian contacted me and asked me to do it,” Ferguson continues. “I told the people around me who I know are big fans, like my assistant – her dog is called Shelby. The joy is seeing other people’s reactions. So I know that I’m a part of something, but also I got to see it not having watched the whole show, and I think it’s a really good standalone film. I enjoy the film on its own.”

Murphy, meanwhile, describes Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man as the “natural conclusion” to his time as the iconic Birmingham gangster – while still leaving room for the wider universe to continue beyond Tommy’s story.

“I think Steven [Knight, creator] and the universe of Peaky Blinders can continue, you know, and I’m sure it will,” Murphy says. “But it’s been a quarter of my life playing this character, and that’s an awfully long time by anyone’s standards.”

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is now playing in theaters and arrives on Netflix on 20 March. If you’re planning your next watch, keep an eye on the most exciting upcoming movies – or refresh your queue with the best Netflix films available right now.