A video circulating on social media falsely claims to show Irish actor Cillian Murphy, star of Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer, carrying a Palestinian flag during the filming of the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie. However, the individual in the video has been identified as Derek Liam Brennan, a Birmingham resident and fan of the show, participating in a fan meet-up.
The Viral Clip
The 18-second video shows a man dressed as Tommy Shelby, Murphy’s iconic Peaky Blinders character, waving a Palestinian flag and running down a Birmingham street. Social media posts have shared the footage with captions such as, “The Peaky Blinders stand with Palestine!” and claimed it depicts Murphy himself.
However, the clip was traced back to a fan gathering organized by Brennan, a dedicated fan of Peaky Blinders and administrator of a Facebook fan group for the series. The event was held on October 13, 2024, at the Big Bulls Head pub in Birmingham, a frequent meeting spot for the group.
The Real Story
Brennan confirmed that he is the man in the video and clarified that his actions were unrelated to a pro-Palestinian march happening in the same area on the same day. Speaking to AFP, Brennan said: “It’s all a joke. We were nothing to do with the march. We are fans of the show, that is all.” He also emphasized, “I don’t get involved in politics.”
Further evidence debunking the claim includes a TikTok post from October 14, showing the same footage with hashtags linking the man to the fan meet-up. Brennan’s other videos from the event show him and fellow fans dressed in outfits inspired by Peaky Blinders.
Social Media Corrections
The original user who claimed Murphy was in the video has since corrected their post, acknowledging that the man is Brennan and not the Irish actor. Brennan reiterated that the video was unrelated to political activity, stating that it was filmed during the fan meet-up and coincidentally coincided with the nearby protest.
Cillian Murphy’s Stance
Cillian Murphy, who recently won an Academy Award for his performance in Oppenheimer, has not commented on the incident. In a previous speech, Murphy dedicated his Oscar to “peacemakers everywhere,” though he did not make specific references to the Gaza conflict.
Conclusion
The viral clip is yet another example of misinformation on social media. Brennan’s clarification underscores that the footage was part of a fan event and had no connection to Murphy or any political statements.
This incident highlights the importance of verifying claims before sharing them, especially in the context of sensitive global issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
