Unveiling Zelda: The Mysterious Character in Peaky Blinders
The Peaky Blinders film arrived on Netflix on March 20, 2026. Fans immediately raised questions about the film’s new plot threads.
Zelda’s past and its consequences
Zelda was introduced through the show’s backstory. She belonged to a Romani traveller family and met Tommy Shelby at the Appleby Horse Fair in 1914.
The pair spent a night together beneath a hazel tree, and Zelda became pregnant. Her father shot Tommy with a squirrel gun, but Tommy survived and later fought in the First World War.
Tommy never found Zelda after the war. Her absence only came to light years later when a family member revealed her child.
How Duke entered Tommy’s life
Tommy learned about his son in the television series’ sixth season. Esme, John Shelby’s wife, introduced Duke to Tommy.
Esme explained that Zelda had died and that Duke had been working as a fairground thief. Tommy offered support, gave Esme money, and took Duke under his wing.
Duke initially struggled but ultimately joined Tommy’s darker enterprise. The role of Duke was recast for the film.
Events around Zelda’s death
Accounts say Zelda fell ill and was taken to a hospital in Bridgnorth. She was reportedly refused a bed and died that same night.
After learning this, Duke confronted the person responsible. He later killed the individual who had denied his mother care.
New character Kaulo and the film’s timeline
The Immortal Man takes place several years after the sixth season. The film introduces Kaulo, played by Rebecca Ferguson.
Kaulo is presented as an enigmatic spirit medium and as Zelda’s identical twin. She appears during Tommy’s self-imposed exile.
In the film, Kaulo infiltrates Tommy’s home and urges him to rescue Duke. Duke, now played by Barry Keoghan, is entangled in a Nazi plot.
Casting and continuity notes
The film features significant recasting from the television series. Barry Keoghan replaces Conrad Khan in the role of Duke for the movie.
Ada Shelby also returns in the film. Zelda herself was never seen on screen in the original TV run.
Rebecca Ferguson on her role
Ferguson described Kaulo as otherworldly, drawing on Romani culture and belief systems. She said family and heritage are central to the character.
Ferguson added that belief confers power, and Kaulo uses that power to influence others. She framed magic as a larger force than a mere need for belonging.
Reception and where to watch
The Immortal Man is available to stream on Netflix now. Viewers can expect fresh mysteries tied to Zelda’s legacy.
Unveiling Zelda has prompted renewed debate among fans. The film’s portrayal of the Mysterious Character continues to divide opinion online.
