There aren’t many things that people associate more with Brum than ‘Peaky Blinders’. But the BBC drama, starring Cillian Murphy as the infamous Thomas Shelby, has never been filmed in the Second City—utilising the likes of Liverpool, Leeds, and even Dudley as stand-ins for 1920s Birmingham.
Finally, as the BBC confirms the return of the beloved series, telling the story of a new generation of Shelbys, ‘Peaky Blinders’ will be filmed in Birmingham. From writer and creator Steven Knight, two new series for BBC iPlayer and BBC One will be filmed at Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham.
“I’m thrilled to be announcing this new chapter in the Peaky Blinders story,” said Steven Knight. “Once again, it will be rooted in Birmingham and will tell the story of a city rising from the ashes of the Birmingham blitz. The new generation of Shelbys have taken the wheel and it will be a hell of a ride.”
What is the new series of Peaky Blinders about?
Set in a new era, in 1953, after being heavily bombed in WWII, the ‘Peaky Blinders’ story will follow “the race to own Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions. This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and danger: with the Shelby family right at its blood-soaked heart.”
The two new series, each containing six 60-minute episodes, will be produced by Kudos (SAS Rogue Heroes, House of Guinness, Grantchester) and Garrison Drama (Peaky Blinders series 1-6) for BBC One in the UK and for Netflix globally. In the meantime, we’re still awaiting a release date for the Peaky Blinders movie, ‘The Immortal Man’, also filmed at Digbeth Loc. Studios.
“Peaky Blinders is a worldwide phenomenon that’s boosted our tourism and global reach,” said Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands. “We’re proud to be working with the team bringing the production back to the Shelbys’ home of Birmingham and job opportunities will follow for local people to become part of this story. It’s this sort of backing from some of the biggest names in entertainment that will turn the West Midlands into the creative capital of the UK.”
You can watch the first six series of ‘Peaky Blinders’ on BBC iPlayer now.