The BBC has confirmed additional cast members for the upcoming new series of Peaky Blinders, with two familiar faces returning to the Birmingham-based criminal dynasty. The new instalment is set in the 1950s.
New and Returning Cast
It was previously announced that Jamie Bell and Charlie Heaton will star in the series. Now, the BBC has revealed that Conleth Hill from Game of Thrones, Samuel Bottomley from California Schemin', Arturo Muselli from Gomorrah, and Daniel Monks from All Her Fault have joined the production. Lucie Shorthouse from We Are Lady Parts, The Bay's Eugene Collins, and Video Nasty star Cal O'Driscoll are also entering the Peaky Blinders line-up.
The forthcoming series, currently filming in and around Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham, unfolds after World War Two as the race to reconstruct Birmingham transforms into a savage battle of legendary proportions.
Storyline Details
The BBC stated: "Having fought a violent war, much of it behind enemy lines, Charles Shelby is now embracing normality. He hasn't seen his half-brother Duke in years. Charles severed all ties to the Peaky Blinders gang and the hedonistic Shelby lifestyle. But can you ever escape your own blood?"
A synopsis reveals: "Duke (Jamie) and Charles Shelby (Charlie) find themselves in a city of unprecedented opportunity and jeopardy. At the blood-soaked heart of the city are Duke Shelby's Peaky Blinders: Eliot (Samuel), Angelo (Arturo), Frank (Eugene Collins) and Kezia Lee (Lucie), with Ned Dennehy and Packy Lee both reprising their roles from the series and Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man as Charlie Strong and Johnny Dogs respectively."
Character Roles
Conleth Hill takes on the role of Clemmy Keeler, the fierce patriarch of the Keeler gangster family who rivals the Peaky Blinders' ambitions to rebuild Birmingham. Cal O'Driscoll portrays Clemmy's son, Aidan Keeler, while Daniel Monks plays Detective Inspector Bell.
Further cast members include Jessica Brown Findlay, recognised for her roles in Silo and The Flatshare, alongside Lashana Lynch, who featured in the James Bond blockbuster No Time to Die. Lucy Karczewski from Stereophonic also features in the production.
Creator's Comments
Peaky Blinders creator and writer Steven Knight previously revealed he was "thrilled" about there being "a new era of Peaky Blinders, moving the story to post-war Birmingham in the early 50s." "We are incredibly fortunate to have Jamie Bell taking the role of Tommy Shelby's oldest son, Duke, and to have Charlie Heaton also leading the cast," he added.
The new chapter of Peaky Blinders will premiere in the UK on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, and on Netflix across the rest of the world.
