Would it be an exaggeration to claim that it’s Cillian Murphy’s world and the rest of us are merely existing within it? Opinions on the matter would, of course, differ. What can be affirmed, though, is that the Oppenheimer star’s unquestionable popularity is nothing short of amazing. With his enigmatic depiction of J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s magnum opus, movie-going audiences have been charmed. People are starting to crave more.
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Media connoisseurs acquainted with Murphy’s previous works would know that this isn’t the first instance of the actor’s overwhelming talent being felt in an endeavor. The rise of the Irish actor to worldwide stardom was amplified by his participation in the popular crime-drama series Peaky Blinders. With the famed talent playing a major role in the British TV show, Murphy’s co-star felt overshadowed by his prodigious presence in the narrative.
This subsequently marked the latter’s departure from the show.
Why Peaky Blinders Star Joe Cole Left The Show
In a 2020 interview with Metro.co.uk, Joe Cole, who portrayed the role of John Shelby in the Cillian Murphy-led premise, revealed why he decided to depart from the notable endeavor. Talking of his involvement in another gang-centric drama titled Gangs of London, the actor emphasized that it hadn’t been his intention to embark on another project with similar themes to that of Peaky Blinders.
Upon first learning about the Sky Atlantic TV show, he was decidedly hellbent on not proceeding with it. “When I received this, literally I read the title and I thought, ‘no,'” affirmed the 34-year-old talent. However, it was after he had read the synopsis of the premise that Joe Cole thought that this pursuit could mount up to “something special.”
Accepting to participate in Gangs of London marked a momentous occasion for Cole. His exit from the Steven Knight-created series, which also happens to be a crime drama centered around the Peaky Blinders street gang, was intended to allow the actor to explore different stories and characters.
Following was his statement:
“I’ve spent the last few years turning down gang-related shows because when a show does well you get offered quite a lot of them. I actually chose to leave Peaky Blinders because I wanted to explore new avenues and new characters and new stories.”
Knowing that the endeavor held promise is what moved Joe Cole to a pursuit with comparable themes. Nevertheless, the actor thought there was one significant distinction between the two gang-drama series. With Gangs of London and its ensemble cast, Cole wouldn’t have to feel eclipsed by a central character or actor in the storyline—a phenomenon that Cillian Murphy’s Peaky Blinders seemed to have contributed to.
Joe Cole Felt Overshadowed By Cillian Murphy In Peaky Blinders
Murphy’s presence in Peaky Blinders is astounding. Imagining a world where the Irish actor isn’t embodying the role of Thomas Shelby becomes near impossible. The prominence of the character within the show would understandably shine the light on him more than it would on his other co-stars.
The reason behind Joe Cole’s exit from the show, after his character’s brutal demise in season 4, episode 1, was owing to the actor’s desire of wanting to branch out and do more with a role—which he couldn’t with what he deems “Cillian’s show.”
“With Peaky Blinders I never really got out of the gates in that role. It’s Cillian’s show really. This show [Gangs of London] is more ensemble, it follows characters on a deep level. So for me, it’s really an opportunity to show what I can do and for the rest of the cast, what they can do.”
Following his abrupt departure from Peaky Blinders, Joe Cole has been able to find a comfortable footing in his endeavors—particularly evident from his involvement in Sky Atlantic’s Gangs of London.
While it’s undeniable that Murphy holds a central position as the main lead, the Steven Knight-created show’s success is owed to not just the Oppenheimer star but also the many others connected to the premise. Hence, claiming that the show solely revolves around Thomas Shelby would be a disservice to the other talented individuals associated with the project.
Nonetheless, we can empathize with Joe Cole’s perspective. Cillian Murphy’s on-screen presence has always demanded the undivided attention of viewers. His compelling character portrayals remain one of the glorious factors behind the success of his projects. It’d be intriguing to see what’s next for the skilled Irish actor.
Peaky Blinders is available for streaming on Netflix.
Source: Metro
