The name of Cillian Murphy has been echoing everywhere since the release of the phenomenon last summer in theaters. (Lest you forget, it was the same day as , Greta Gerwig’s all-pink blockbuster, which garnered significant attention for both films.) Helmed by the masterful Christopher Nolan, the film featuresMurphy (and his mesmerizing blue eyes) as the father of the atomic
bomb, Robert Oppenheimer. While this isn’t Murphy’s first collaboration with Nolan—he has previously appeared in Nolan’s Batman trilogy, as well as and —the
Irish Actor has consistently cultivated an ethos of dedication and cinematic excellence, contributing to the flourishing of his career alongside the acclaimed filmmaker. Initially passionate about
music, Murphy played in a rock band before taking his first steps into theater, then appearing in several independent films in the late 1990s. In 2002, Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic film was a huge box-office success, and introduced him to a wider audience. This was followed by impressive performances in Nolan’s films, another film for Boyle, and the iconic role of Thomas Shelby in the award-winning series . Let’s take a closer look. films (2005-2012) While initially asked to audition for the role of protagonist Bruce Wayne in (2005), Cillian Murphy didn’t think he had the physique of a superhero. (The part would ultimately go to Christian Bale.) Nonetheless, he decided to meet with Christopher Nolan, who offered him the role of the franchise villain, Dr. Jonathan Crane, also known as the Scarecrow. Murphy accepted and reprised his role in the two subsequent films, in 2008, and in 2012. (2006) In 2006, Cillian Murphy took on the lead role in a film about the complexities of the Irish War of Independence during the 1920s. The drama, which was awarded the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, holds a special place in Murphy’s heart as it was filmed in County Cork, Ireland—his hometown. (2007) Before portraying Robert Oppenheimer, Murphy had already ventured into the realm of nuclear science in the film . He plays a physicist-astronaut from the year 2057 tasked with reigniting the dying sun to save humanity. Once again, Murphy carries heavy responsibilities on his shoulders… (2010) In , the realm of dreams becomes a perilous playground. Christopher Nolan’s film, which garnered a staggering eight Oscar nominations, stars
Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb, a specialist in “extraction”—the clandestine acquisition of the deepest, most guarded secrets nestled within a person’s subconscious during slumber. Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy), a commercial heir, becomes one of Cobb’s targets. (2013-2022) In , Murphy shines as Tommy Shelby, an integral member of the Shelby clan: Embedded in gritty, post-World War I Birmingham, Tommy is as charismatic as he is aggressive. The
BBC series earned acclaim for its compelling storytelling across six season, resonating with both critics and audiences. And now, the saga of the Shelby siblings—known for their flat caps and razor-sharp wits—is poised to culminate in an eagerly anticipated film. (2017) Nolan’s revisits Operation Dynamo, a bloody chapter in World War II that involved evacuating Allied troops surrounded by the German army in Dunkirk, northern
France, in May 1940. (Murphy plays one of the
British soldiers stranded on Normandy’s beaches.) Awarded three
Oscars, the historical epic became highest-grossing film about World War II—that is, until the release of . (2023) With his portrait of Robert Oppenheimer, Nolan tells an extraordinary story, delving into the physicist’s political, moral, personal, and familial odysseys. It’s a powerful and bewildering historical narrative, with a sublime Murphy at its center. The juries of major awards ceremonies agreed, giving him a BAFTA, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Oscar.