The Shocking Number of Cigarettes Cillian Murphy Smoked on ‘Peaky Blinders’

Cillian Murphy, the actor behind Tommy Shelby in the popular series Peaky Blinders, once shared just how many cigarettes he smoked while playing the character.

Even though he doesn’t smoke in real life, Murphy said he went through around 3,000 herbal cigarettes per season to stay true to his role. With six seasons of the show, that adds up to about 18,000 cigarettes in total.

Murphy told The Guardian, “I’ve smoked so many fake cigarettes for Peaky and this. My next character will not be a smoker. They can’t be good for you. Even herbal cigarettes have health warnings now.”

He joked that the herbal cigarettes were like his “five a day,” pointing out how often he was seen with one on set.

The production team used herbal cigarettes instead of real tobacco to lower the health risks. However, Murphy’s experience shows that even these substitutes aren’t completely harmless, as some studies suggest they can still cause long-term health issues.

Murphy’s dedication highlights the physical demands of playing Tommy Shelby, a character who is almost always seen smoking. He admitted that after such an intense experience, he’s ready to take on roles that don’t involve smoking.

Playing Tommy Shelby required more than just acting skill, it demanded constant attention to detail, including the chain-smoking habit that defined the character. Murphy’s confession gives fans a look behind the scenes and the lengths actors go to bring authenticity to their roles.

What do you think about Murphy’s commitment to his role? Would you be surprised to smoke thousands of cigarettes for a character? Share your thoughts in the comments.