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Few actors in contemporary cinema possess the transformative presence of Cillian Murphy. Following his Academy Award win for Oppenheimer, the Irish actor has stepped firmly into the global spotlight—not merely as a performer, but as a curator of complex narratives. Cillian Murphy has made a career of embodying morally layered, psychologically intricate characters, consistently choosing roles that push boundaries across genre and scale.
Whether he’s portraying a haunted survivor in 28 Days Later, a scheming crime boss in Peaky Blinders, or the father of the atomic bomb in Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy’s hallmark is his ability to vanish into character, inviting viewers into worlds shaped by ambiguity and depth. Now, as he moves forward with an eclectic mix of new projects—from historical dramas and political thrillers to horror reboots and indie stage adaptations—Murphy is making it clear: he’s not slowing down, he’s doubling down.
This feature examines the seven most unmissable upcoming projects of Cillian Murphy, revealing not only the diverse scope of his career, but also his growing influence as a producer and artistic force. From reunions with visionary directors to intimate personal ventures, these films promise to redefine what audiences can expect from one of the most intellectually daring actors of his generation.
1. Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby — The Long-Awaited Feature Film Adaptation
The return of Thomas Shelby is one of the most anticipated events in contemporary television-to-film adaptations. After six critically lauded seasons, Peaky Blinders concluded in 2022 with whispers of a cinematic continuation. Now confirmed, The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is set to begin filming in summer 2025, with Steven Knight returning as writer and Otto Bathurst attached to direct.
“Cillian Murphy was always the soul of the series. The film will give us the chance to explore the final evolution of Tommy Shelby,” Knight revealed during a panel at the BFI.
Murphy, who is also executive producing, hinted at a grittier, more introspective take on the war-scarred gangster. Rumored to be set against the early days of World War II, the film will reportedly examine Shelby’s attempt at political redemption amid rising fascism in Europe.
2. Small Things Like These — A Quiet Irish Drama with Oscar Potential
Produced by and starring Cillian Murphy, Small Things Like These is an adaptation of Claire Keegan’s acclaimed novella. Directed by Tim Mielants (Patrick, Peaky Blinders), the film explores the harrowing realities of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries through the eyes of a conflicted coal merchant.
Cillian Murphy plays Bill Furlong, a father and husband who uncovers troubling secrets in a local convent. The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival, earning early Oscar buzz for its haunting performances and understated storytelling.
“I’ve wanted to bring this story to the screen since I first read the book,” Murphy said in an interview with The Irish Times. “It’s about doing what’s right when it’s not easy.”
3. Blood Meridian — Cormac McCarthy’s Brutal Epic Finally Comes to Life
One of the most ambitious literary adaptations in recent memory, Blood Meridian has long been considered “unfilmable.” Directed by John Hillcoat (The Road), the film finally enters production in late 2025, with Cillian Murphy attached to play the enigmatic Judge Holden.
Known for his cerebral roles, Murphy’s casting as the philosophical yet monstrous antagonist marks a daring departure. The role, originally eyed by actors like Javier Bardem and Russell Crowe, demands a terrifying magnetism that Murphy is uniquely equipped to deliver.
“Cillian is fearless. He’s ready to go to those dark, existential places,” Hillcoat said in an interview with Sight & Sound.
The adaptation will reportedly be R-rated, with Roger Deakins in talks to serve as cinematographer, promising a visually haunting, morally complex Western.
4. Untitled Christopher Nolan Project — Reuniting with the Visionary Director
Following the seismic success of Oppenheimer, speculation has been rife about another collaboration between Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy. While details remain tightly under wraps, insiders suggest that Murphy is attached to Nolan’s next science fiction thriller, set for a 2026 release.
Although Warner Bros. and Syncopy have yet to confirm plot specifics, sources close to the project describe it as a “mind-bending, interdimensional espionage thriller” in the vein of Inception and Tenet.
“Working with Chris always feels like stepping into uncharted territory,” Murphy told Empire Magazine. “He trusts actors to explore. That’s incredibly rare.”
Murphy’s deepening collaboration with Nolan signals not just mutual respect, but a creative shorthand capable of delivering cerebral blockbusters with emotional weight.
5. The Way We Live Now — A Modernized BBC Epic Miniseries
Cillian Murphy returns to the small screen in The Way We Live Now, a reimagined BBC miniseries based on Anthony Trollope’s 19th-century satirical novel. Directed by Saul Dibb (The Salisbury Poisonings), the adaptation updates the narrative to modern London, where financial corruption, media manipulation, and political scandal collide.
Murphy stars as Augustus Melmotte, a morally ambiguous media tycoon navigating populist politics and corporate espionage. The role allows Murphy to channel contemporary anxieties through a Victorian lens—a challenging task he reportedly relishes.
“It’s fascinating how little has changed,” Murphy commented at a BAFTA screening. “Corruption wears a different suit now, but it’s the same story.”
The series is expected to premiere on BBC One in late 2025 and stream globally via Netflix.
6. The Executioner — A Psychological Thriller Set in Post-War Europe
Directed by Luca Guadagnino and co-starring Léa Seydoux, The Executioner is a stylish, Kafkaesque psychological thriller set in the crumbling aftermath of World War II. Murphy plays a military tribunal officer grappling with morality and justice in a devastated Berlin.
Described as a mix of The Lives of Others and The Trial, the film dives deep into the psychological toll of authoritarianism and wartime trauma. Guadagnino’s signature visual elegance pairs with Murphy’s restrained intensity to create what critics are calling a “quiet masterpiece in the making.”
“Cillian has an incredible ability to say everything with his eyes. That’s what this story needs,” Guadagnino noted in Cahiers du Cinéma.
The film is slated for a 2026 Cannes debut, followed by a wide international release through A24.
7. Flight Risk — An A24-Backed Existential Action Drama
In a sharp pivot from period dramas and cerebral thrillers, Murphy stars in Flight Risk, a high-octane yet philosophically rich action drama helmed by Danish director Tobias Lindholm (A Hijacking, The Good Nurse). The plot centers on a commercial pilot (Murphy) whose crisis of conscience mid-flight spirals into an international incident.
Combining the kinetic tension of Captain Phillips with the moral complexity of First Reformed, the film explores themes of duty, agency, and ethical collapse under extreme pressure.
“This isn’t about a hero or a villain—it’s about what happens when the system breaks down and all you have left is your soul,” Lindholm told Variety.
Principal photography begins in fall 2025, with A24 aiming for a festival premiere in early 2026.
Final Thoughts: The Era of Cillian Murphy Has Officially Arrived
What ties these seven projects together isn’t merely the presence of Cillian Murphy, but their collective boldness and creative reach. These aren’t safe choices—they’re films that challenge genres, question morality, and dig deep into psychological and political terrain. From reuniting with auteurs like Danny Boyle and Christopher Nolan to adapting stage dramas and historical accounts, Murphy is diversifying his legacy with fearless precision.
With each role, Cillian Murphy blurs the lines between performer and producer, lending his vision not just to characters, but to the very DNA of each film. He’s not following Hollywood’s path—he’s forging his own. As streaming platforms race to secure prestige content and studios invest in auteur-driven cinema, Murphy is emerging as both a leading man and a cinematic architect.
2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year in his career, potentially his most ambitious slate yet. From indie intimacy to franchise-scale storytelling, Murphy’s upcoming work speaks volumes about his artistic hunger. More than an actor, he is now a symbol of meaningful, intelligent cinema.
This is not just a career renaissance—it’s a creative revolution. The future belongs to Cillian Murphy, and he’s rewriting the rules, one transformative role at a time.