You’ve probably seen the headlines. You’ve definitely seen his face. Josh O’Connor is everywhere right now, usually looking like he just stepped off a high-fashion runway or out of a moody indie flick. But before the Emmys and before the steamy tennis matches in Challengers, there was a flat cap—sorta.
Actually, there wasn't a flat cap. That's the first thing people get wrong.
If you’re searching for Josh O’Connor Peaky Blinders history, you’re likely trying to figure out if he’s joining Cillian Murphy in the upcoming Netflix movie, The Immortal Man, or if you hallucinated him in the original series. The truth is a mix of "he was already there" and "everyone wants him back."
Wait, was Josh O'Connor actually in Peaky Blinders?
Yes. Seriously.
Back in 2014, long before he was playing a repressed Prince Charles, Josh O’Connor had a tiny, three-episode stint in Season 2. He didn't play a Shelby. He wasn't a razor-swinging gangster. He played a character named James, who was the housemate of Ada Thorne (Sophie Rundle).
James was a writer. He was bohemian, lived in a dusty flat in London, and was basically the polar opposite of the violent Birmingham chaos Tommy Shelby usually brings with him. If you go back and watch those episodes now, it’s jarring. You see this massive Hollywood star playing a relatively quiet, secondary character who just wanted to write his books while Ada tried to distance herself from her family’s criminal empire.
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It’s one of those "before they were famous" roles that makes you realize how long he’s been grinding in the British TV circuit.
The Rumor Mill: Is he in the Peaky Blinders movie?
This is where things get messy.
The internet has been on fire with casting news for the Peaky Blinders movie, which is officially titled The Immortal Man. We know Cillian Murphy is back. We know Barry Keoghan and Rebecca Ferguson have signed on. But what about our boy Josh?
Honestly, as of right now, he is not officially on the cast list for the movie.
There was a massive wave of speculation because Josh O’Connor has a look that just fits the Steven Knight universe. He’s got that sharp bone structure and the ability to look both posh and utterly devastated at the same time. Plus, he recently worked on a project with Steven Spielberg (titled Disclosure Day, set for 2026), and people tend to conflate "big British actor" with "Peaky Blinders cast member."
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But here’s the nuance: Because his character James is still technically alive in the show’s lore, there’s always a slim chance for a cameo. However, with the movie focusing on World War II and the next generation of the Shelby family, it’s way more likely that he stays in the "alumni" category rather than the "returning star" one.
The Actual 2026 Peaky Blinders Movie Cast
- Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby (Duh)
- Sophie Rundle as Ada Thorne
- Barry Keoghan (Role undisclosed, but likely a heavy hitter)
- Rebecca Ferguson (Rumored to be playing a Romani character)
- Tim Roth (A legendary addition to the gritty underworld)
- Stephen Graham as Hayden Stagg
Why everyone thinks he played a Shelby
If you browse Reddit or TikTok, you’ll see people swearing they remember Josh O’Connor as one of the younger Shelby brothers.
They’re confusing him with Joe Cole, who played John Shelby, or maybe Finn Cole, who played Michael Gray. It’s the ears. Or maybe the intensity. Either way, Josh O’Connor was never a member of the Peaky Blinders gang. He was just the guy living with the sister.
What Josh O'Connor is actually doing in 2026
If you’re bummed out that he might not be donning a trench coat for the Birmingham gang, don’t worry. His 2026 schedule is absolutely stacked.
He’s starring in the aforementioned Spielberg sci-fi film, and he’s also tied to The History of Sound, a WWI love story where he stars opposite Paul Mescal. Basically, he’s cornered the market on "Prestige Drama."
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The fascination with Josh O’Connor Peaky Blinders connections really stems from his meteoric rise. When an actor becomes this big, fans start retroactively searching through their favorite shows to see if they missed a cameo. In this case, they did.
Actionable Steps for the Fans
If you want to catch the "James era" of O'Connor's career, fire up Netflix or BBC iPlayer and head straight to Season 2, Episode 4. You’ll see him interacting with Sophie Rundle, and you can catch a glimpse of the talent that eventually won him an Emmy.
For those holding out hope for the movie:
- Follow official Netflix UK updates. They’ve been dropping casting breadcrumbs every few months.
- Check the "The Immortal Man" IMDb Pro page. Sometimes supporting roles stay hidden until post-production is nearly finished.
- Watch "God's Own Country" or "Challengers." If you only know him from his brief stint in Birmingham or his time on The Crown, these films show his true range.
Josh O’Connor might have started as a quiet writer in a London flat, but he’s clearly moved on to much bigger, noisier things. Even if he never returns to the world of Tommy Shelby, his three-episode run remains a cool "easter egg" for die-hard fans of the series.