Steven Knight’s acclaimed Peaky Blinders franchise is set to continue with a new series for Netflix and the BBC, featuring Jamie Bell (known for All of Us Strangers, Rocket Man) and Charlie Heaton (from Stranger Things, Industry) in leading roles. The period drama has also added Jessica Brown Findlay (Silo, The Flatshare), Lashana Lynch (The Day of The Jackal, No Time to Die), and Lucy Karczewski (Stereophonic) to its ensemble cast. Production has already commenced at Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham, for what is slated to be two six-episode seasons.
Bell steps into the shoes of Duke Shelby, the eldest son of Tommy Shelby (portrayed by Cillian Murphy). This character was previously embodied by Conrad Khan during the sixth and final season of the original series, and more recently by Barry Keoghan in the follow-up film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which recently premiered on Netflix.
A first-look image of Bell as Duke is available for viewing below.
This recasting was anticipated, considering the new Peaky Blinders sequel series advances the timeline by a decade after the events depicted in The Immortal Man.
While details surrounding Heaton’s character remain under wraps, the casting announcement hints at his potential role in spearheading the next generation of Birmingham’s notorious street gang alongside Duke. This project marks a reunion with Netflix for the English actor, who famously portrayed Jonathan Byers throughout the five-season run of the hit show Stranger Things.
Series writer and creator Steven Knight expressed his excitement, stating, “I am absolutely delighted to usher in a fresh era for Peaky Blinders, transporting our narrative to post-war Birmingham in the early 1950s. We are incredibly fortunate to have Jamie Bell embody the role of Tommy Shelby’s eldest son, Duke, and equally thrilled to have Charlie Heaton as a key cast member. Expect more thrilling cast announcements soon; Peaky is back in action.”
The official logline for the new series reveals that this new chapter of Peaky Blinders, set ten years after World War Two, depicts Birmingham’s struggle to rebuild itself, transforming into an epic struggle. It’s a city brimming with unparalleled opportunities and severe perils. At the core of this turbulent environment stands Duke Shelby (Bell): now older, wiser, more ambitious, and undeniably more formidable.
The specific roles for Brown Findlay, Lynch, and Karczewski – the latter making her television debut – are also being kept confidential at this time.
Pictured from left to right: Charlie Heaton, Jessica Brown Findlay, Lashana Lynch, and Lucy Karczewski
Julia Sariy/Pip Boudillion/Courtesy/Harry Livingston
The Peaky Blinders sequel series is a co-production by Banijay UK’s Kudos and Garrison Drama. It is slated to air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One within the UK, and will be distributed globally by Netflix.
The recent film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, penned by Knight and helmed by Tom Harper, featured Murphy once again as Tommy Shelby. He was joined by original Peaky Blinders cast members Sophie Rundle, Ned Dennehy, Packy Lee, Ian Peck, and Stephen Graham, alongside new additions to the franchise: Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, and Jay Lycurgo. Since its release on March 20, Immortal Man has held the No.1 spot on Netflix’s global movie charts for two consecutive weeks.
The original Peaky Blinders, conceived and written by Knight and starring Murphy, made its debut on BBC Two in the UK in 2013, arriving on Netflix a year later. It was honored with the BAFTA for Best Drama Series for its fourth season in 2018, and subsequently transitioned to BBC One for its fifth and sixth seasons in 2019.
Beyond its status as a global television phenomenon, the series has blossomed into a full-fledged franchise, encompassing not only the feature film but also companion books, clothing lines, a video game, a ballet, and an immersive theatrical experience.
Jamie Bell as Duke Shelby