The original Peaky Blinders writing and directing team will return alongside Cillian Murphy for Netflix’s film adaptation of the hit British series, the streaming service has confirmed.
Cillian, 48, will reprise his role as Thomas Shelby in the period crime drama, set in late 1910s and early 1930s Birmingham, with show creator Steven Knight and Tom Harper again writing and directing respectively.
Netflix confirmed the news on X with a photograph of the script, while the Oscar-winning actor told Deadline: ‘Looks like Tommy Shelby wasn’t done with me…
‘It is very gratifying to collaborate again with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. “This one is for the fans.”
Tom shared: “When I first directed Peaky Blinders over 10 years ago, we didn’t know what the series would become, but we did know there was something about the alchemy of the cast and writing that seemed explosive.
The original Peaky Blinders writing and directing team will return alongside Cillian Murphy (pictured) for the film adaptation of the Netflix show, the streaming service has confirmed.
Cillian, 48, will reprise his role as Thomas Shelby (pictured) in the period crime drama, set in late 1910s to early 1930s Birmingham, with show creator Steven Knight and Tom Harper again writing and directing respectively.
Netflix confirmed the news on X with a photo of the script, while the Oscar-winning actor told Deadline: ‘Looks like Tommy Shelby isn’t done with me…’
“Peaky has always been a story about family, so it’s incredibly exciting to reunite with Steve and Cillian to bring the film to audiences around the world on Netflix.”
While Steven added: “I’m really excited that this movie is about to be made.” It will be an explosive chapter in the history of Peaky Blinders. There are no restrictions. Peaky Blinders in the middle of war.’
In March, Steven thrilled fans after confirming that Cillian would star in the film during an appearance on BirminghamWorld for the premiere of his BBC show This Town.
He said: ‘(Cillian) will definitely come back for it. We’ll film it in September, near Digbeth.
The film will begin filming at Birmingham’s Digbeth Loc studios in September and will be set during the Second World War.
On the prospect of returning to the role of Thomas Shelby, Cillian previously said Rolling Stone last year: ‘If there’s more story there, I’d love to do it. But it has to be correct.
‘Steve Knight wrote 36 hours of television and we came out very well. I’m very proud of that last series. Therefore, he would have to feel legitimate and justified to do more.
Echoing these sentiments on BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs In February, Cillian said: “I’ve always said that if Knight delivers a script that I know he can deliver, because he’s a phenomenal writer, I’ll be there.
Writer Steven revealed, “I’m really excited that this movie is about to be made.” It will be an explosive chapter in the history of Peaky Blinders. There are no restrictions. Complete with Peaky Blinders at war’
Director Tom said: “Peaky has always been a story about family, so it’s incredibly exciting to reunite with Steve and Cillian to bring the film to audiences around the world on Netflix.”
Cillian previously shared: ‘I’ve always said that if Knight delivers a script that I know he can deliver, because he’s a phenomenal writer, I’ll be there. If we want to see 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, I’ll be there. Let’s do it.’
He hilariously added: ‘If we want to see Tommy Shelby, 50, I’ll be there. Let’s do it.’
Cillian admitted he was “relieved” when the BBC The drama ended in 2022, but he emphasized that he is now “totally” on board with a film adaptation.
After winning his first Academy Award in MarchCillian said of his character Tommy: “I loved playing him. It was exhausting and so wildly different for me that every time I came back it was some kind of trip.
‘I’m not really sentimental about work. I feel like the next thing is the most exciting. And I mean, it was a ten-year period in my life, so it’s significant, but I always feel like we’re moving forward.”
Cillian received the Oscar for Best Actor at the 96th Academy Awards for his performance as the title character in Christopher Nolan’s biopic Oppenheimer.
In his acceptance speech, Cillian told the star-studded room that he was “a very proud Irishman here tonight” before dedicating his victory to “peacemakers around the world.”
The Irish actor has also hinted that Steven has more stories to tell about the Birmingham-based Shelby clan and their criminal activities between the 1880s and 1910s.
Peaky Blinders was released in 2013 and won a huge audience both in Britain and abroad, attracting roles for big screen stars such as Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy.
The film will begin filming at Birmingham’s Digbeth Loc studios in September and will be set during the Second World War.
The show is loosely based on a real Birmingham gang of the same name that operated from the 1880s to the 1920s and carried out the same illegal activities as their fictional counterparts.
Peaky Blinders aired six series over nine years and ended with Tommy, who had been tricked into believing he was terminally ill, surviving a murder attempt orchestrated by his own nephew before killing him and moving on to a new life.
But the news raises concerns for the well-being of Paul Anderson, who plays Cillian’s older brother on the show, Arthur Shelby, after he pleaded guilty to crack cocaine possession earlier this year.
The 45-year-old man was also found to have amphetamines, as well as diazepam and pregabalin.
His continued erratic behavior in recent months has raised concerns for his well-being.
One local shopkeeper, who considers Paul a friend, told MailOnline: ‘It’s heartbreaking.’ It is a disaster. But his erratic behavior is causing real problems. He often seems dazed and not with it.
He has had discussions with local people. She walks making a lot of noise. We are all apprehensive. She had a big row in Tesco a few weeks ago.
‘He lives like he’s on another planet. He’s been out in public topless. He has trouble walking. It’s a big concern. He seems out of control. It’s tragic.’
But last week it looked like the actor was cleaning up his act – literally – when he ventured into London to Tesco and bought several cleaning products, including shampoo, Dove deodorant, kitchen roll and Vanish stain remover.
But the news raises concerns for Paul Anderson’s well-being after he pleaded guilty to crack cocaine possession earlier this year (pictured in 2016).
The 45-year-old, who plays Cillian’s older brother in the series Arthur Shelby (pictured), has sparked concern for his well-being with his continued erratic behavior in recent months.