New Peaky Blinders TV series to star Jamie Bell

The beloved Birmingham crime saga Peaky Blinders is set to return with a new generation at its helm, as acclaimed actor Jamie Bell has been confirmed to lead the upcoming series set in the 1950s.

Bell, renowned for his compelling performances in Rocketman and All of us Strangers, will portray Duke Shelby in two new series that promise to deliver the signature intensity that made Peaky Blinders a global phenomenon.

The stellar cast lineup continues to expand with Stranger Things' Charlie Heaton joining the production, alongside celebrated Downton Abbey actress Jessica Brown Findlay and The Day Of The Jackal star Lashana Lynch. The series will also mark the television debut of emerging talent Lucy Karczewski.

Set a decade after the events of the current movie Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, the new series will explore post-World War Two Birmingham, examining how the conflict's aftermath shaped both the city and its inhabitants. The narrative will follow Duke, who has evolved into a character described as "older, wiser, more ambitious and more dangerous."

Series creator Steven Knight expressed his enthusiasm for the project's new direction: "I am thrilled that we are announcing 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."

Knight hinted at additional casting announcements to come, stating, "There are more exciting cast announcements to come, and Peaky is on the road again."

The production represents a significant milestone for regional television development, marking the first major commission following a new BBC partnership agreement with West Midlands Combined Authority and Create Central. This collaboration, supported by an annual £40 million investment in the West Midlands, aims to expand BBC and partner production capabilities in the region.

Produced by Banijay UK's Kudos and Garrison Drama for the BBC and Netflix, the series is being filmed at Digbeth Loc. Studios, strategically located near Birmingham city centre, maintaining the show's authentic connection to its geographical roots.

Each of the two series will comprise six hour-long episodes, continuing the format that has proven successful for the franchise. The series will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK, while reaching international audiences through Netflix's global distribution network.