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16th Apr 2022

Cillian Murphy says he moved back to Ireland after sons developed “posh English accents”

Katy Brennan

He “wasn’t appreciating” it.

Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy has said he moved back to Dublin from London as his sons started developing “very posh English accents”.

Appearing on The Armchair Expert podcast, Cillian discussed his decision to return home for good in 2015.

“We were in London for 14 years, both our kids were born there. We only came back to Dublin in 2015,” he said.

“It’s kind of an Irish story, you know, to move away, do your thing and then come home. That seems to be a common narrative for Irish people.

“We wanted the kids to be Irish, and they were sort of at that age where they were preteens and they had very posh English accents – and I wasn’t appreciating that too much.

“Our parents are a certain age and it was just a nice time to come home.”

He also joked that his sons are almost taller than him now, before saying: “It wouldn’t be that hard though in fairness.”

Speaking about his hopes for his kids in the future, he added: “This is such a cliche, but I just want them to be happy, confident kids. That’s all. And to know themselves. I think that’s the most important thing and they’re heading that way.

“They’re good boys. But I try not to project my stuff onto them. I try not to do that. It’s impossible not to do it entirely, but just let them find their own way.”

The final season of Peaky Blinders premiered in February, dedicating its first episode to the late Helen McCrory.

At the time, Cillian opened up being “desperately sad” to film the show without his co-star.

“Sad for all of us who knew her, and the people who were close to her and the fans. She was like the matriarch of Peaky Blinders, and the person I was closest to.

“The Polly and Tommy scenes were some of my favourite scenes in the show. It’s desperately sad. We’re all still trying to come to terms with it.”