Paul Anderson has finally addressed his notable absence from Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, describing the film as "amazing" despite not featuring in it.
The actor, who portrayed Tommy Shelby's (played by Cillian Murphy) volatile older brother Arthur throughout all six series of the BBC drama, spoke candidly about being left out of the highly anticipated movie.
Arthur Shelby in the new Peaky Blinders film
|NETFLIX
"Well, what can you do, eh? It is how it is. I thought I'd just leave them to it," Mr Anderson told LADbible.
Mr Anderson was one of only three performers to appear in every episode of the original series, alongside Cillian Murphy and Sophie Rundle.
While both Mr Murphy and Ms Rundle have reprised their roles for the film, which opened in cinemas this weekend ahead of its Netflix debut on March 20, Mr Anderson's Arthur is conspicuously absent.
Despite praising the finished product, Mr Anderson admitted he had reservations before watching it.
Barry Keoghan and Cillian Murphy in The Immortal Man
|NETFLIX
"I was slightly apprehensive," he acknowledged.
The 46-year-old also questioned whether a feature film was the right direction for the franchise, suggesting the television format had more to offer.
"We made a good show, we ain't made enough seasons - I think we should've just done a couple more seasons. I don't see a reason to do a film to be honest," he said.
Series creator Steven Knight has shed light on how the film addresses Arthur's absence, revealing that the character has been gone for two years when The Immortal Man begins.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man was released in cinemas ahead of its Netflix release
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"I don't want to go there, because it is such a huge spoiler," Mr Knight said when asked about Arthur's fate.
Mr Anderson himself expressed admiration for the narrative approach taken to explain his character's disappearance from the story.
"I think it's great. I mean, it's such a powerful thing to do. It's something you don't see on TV," he remarked.
The film, written by Mr Knight and directed by Tom Harper, has received a warm critical reception, currently holding a 91 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 32 reviews.
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Paul Anderson alongside fellow series stalwarts Helen McCrory and Cillian Murphy
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Looking ahead, Mr Anderson discussed the possibility of the Peaky Blinders universe continuing beyond the film.
"They plan to do another two seasons but I don't know if he [Knight] wants to do it with a younger generation or a new team of Peaky Blinders," he explained. "What I mean by that is, Tommy will still be there."
Mr Knight has previously indicated that future series would be set in the 1950s, describing the potential continuation as "a better iteration" of the story.
Meanwhile, Mr Anderson remains connected to his iconic role through fan events. He is scheduled to appear at Great Yarmouth Comic-Con for 'Shelby Saturday' in May.
Cillian Murphy as Arthur Shelby
|NETFLIX
The actor has also moved on to new projects, currently starring as antagonist Stokely Reeves in Prime Video's The Gray House, which premiered on February 26.