By order of the Peaky Blinders, after months of rumour and speculation, a blockbuster film has officially been greenlit, with Cillian Murphy at the helm. Well, of course he is…
Back in the role of piercing-eyed Tommy Shelby, the flat-capped Brummie crime boss, Cillian himself is producing this next chapter.
After that dramatic series six finale more than two years ago, we’re desperate to see how the Blinders have moved on.
Netflix dropped a tease on social media, a photo of the hefty script, but with cast and crew tight-lipped, there are plenty of burning questions we need answered.
Delving into the details, Daily Mirror TV Columnist Sara Wallis reveals everything we know so far…
What is the film about?
Plot details are being kept under lock and key, although writer Steven Knight has previously revealed that the series finale in 2022 set up a film to be set during the Second World War.
The BBC show’s six seasons spanned the end of the First World War through to the end of Prohibition in the US in 1933.
At this point, will Tommy be a much older and wiser character?
Cillian said: “If we want to watch 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, I will be there. Let’s do it.”
Knight, who has written the screenplay, says: “It will be an explosive chapter in the Peaky Blinders story. No holds barred. Full-on Peaky Blinders at war.”
If you need a reminder of the story so far, seasons 1-6 are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Who is involved?
As Tommy once said: “Whiskey’s good proofing water. Tells you who’s real and who isn’t.” He’s obviously approved this lot - pretty much everyone on the dream team is back.
Director Tom Harper, who directed episodes in the first season show, and screenwriter Steven Knight will be collaborating once again.
It’s not surprising that Cillian is gracing the silver screen for the main role - it wouldn’t be the same without him.
He told Netflix: “It seems Thomas Shelby wasn’t finished with me. It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven and Tom on the film version. This is one for the fans.”
As for other characters, everything is still under wraps, but we can surely expect to see many of the Shelbys returning, especially since Harper teased: “In the series, there was something in the alchemy of the cast and the writing that felt explosive. Peaky has always been a story about family.”
We’d love to see Sophie Rundle as Ada and Tom Hardy as Alfie Solomons, along with Paul Anderson, who played hellraiser Arthur Shelby.
Paul, convicted of drug possession earlier this year, was spotted looking frail and dishevelled recently.
In January he pleaded guilty to crack cocaine and amphetamines possession after spending the day at the pub on Boxing Day in London. The TV star was with a friend and a baby when police found a pipe and the Class A drug. Paul admitted possessing it, as well as class B amphetamines and two class C prescription substances, when he appeared in court in January. He received fines totalling £1,345.
But despite fears that the film might not go ahead without him - or that he might not be involved Paul is now expected to play a pivotal role after he shared a photo on Instagram of the movie script along with the famous quote from The Godfather: “Just when I thought I was out…”
When is it out?
No release date yet, but the film is set to start shooting in September in Digbeth, an area in central Birmingham.
Once production gets underway in Autumn, we can expect more updates. If it wants to be an Oscar contender it will need to be shown in an US cinema before the December deadline. But it's more likely it will be one of Netflix's big tentpole releases for next year.
How did the TV show end?
After a tough season for Tommy, during which he lost his Aunt Polly (played by the late Helen McCrory) and his daughter Ruby and then was told he only had a year to live, the final showdown was between Tommy and Polly’s son Michael (Finn Cole), who had promised his mother he’d take Tommy down.
But when Michael tried to place a bomb in Tommy’s car, Tommy was one step ahead and switched the bomb to another car. When Michael realised, he knew he was a dead man walking.
Michael told Tommy that Polly’s death was his fault, to which Tommy said that Polly still visited him in his dreams.
“She’ll visit me no more,” said Tommy, as he pulled the trigger and shot Michael through the eye.
He then retreated into nature, planning to take his own life before sickness took him - before realising the doctor had tricked him.
The final shot saw Tommy on a white horse, returning to find his wagon on fire. He turned and rode off. Sounds like he still has some business to tie up…
What will the movie tie up?
The finale saw Tommy looking to start a new life. But will we see him leave his criminal life behind - maybe hang out in the peaceful suburbs, get a dog? We wouldn’t put money on it. Or, will he make his return to take revenge on his enemies? Highly likely.
There are plenty of people who tried to kill him.
As the dear departed Aunt Polly said (a lot): “Don’t f*** with the Peaky Blinders”.
The finale saw Tommy discovering that the doctor who diagnosed him with brain cancer was lying to him.
The manipulative medic had been involved in a plot against the Shelby family with fascist leader Oswald Mosley.
He decided to spare the doctor’s life, but fans are wondering if Tommy will decide to deal with Mosley.
As Tommy himself clarified: “It’s not a good idea to look at Tommy Shelby the wrong way.”
What we’d like to happen…
Time after time, the Shelby family has defied all odds, as Tommy rose through the ranks to become an infamous crime lord without so much as breaking a sweat.
No feud has been left unsolved, so Tommy must take control.
He’s a changed man - he’s given up drinking, started to read poetry and found peace. But if he’s turned to calm and tranquility, it won’t last long.
No longer plagued by a serial illness, he needs to come back with a vengeance - punish the lying doctor and Mosley.
Also, more scenes with Alfie Solomons please and women ruling the roost.
As Polly said: “This whole bloody enterprise was women’s business while you boys were away at war.”
How have the stars’ lives changed?
Peaky Blinders catapulted Cillian Murphy into the big leagues. The Irish star went on to win the Best Actor Oscar this year for his role in hit movie Oppenheimer.
He also launched his own production company in the past months. Big Things Films, produced and starred in historical drama Small Things Like These, will exec produce the sequel to 28 Days Later (titled 28 Years Later), and produce and star in the movie Blood Runs Coal.
Tom Hardy has also been busy, filming movies Venom: The Last Dance and Havoc, while Paul Anderson has had a tougher time, convicted for possession of crack cocaine.
Sophie Rundle is landing more lead TV roles than ever - we’ve recently seen her in The Nest, The Diplomat, Gentleman Jack and After The Flood.
While Sam Claflin, who plays Mosley, has enjoyed success for his role in Amazon Prime's musical drama Daisy Jones & The Six, earning him a Golden Globe nomination, with an upcoming role in The Count of Monte Cristo.
How has it Peaked our interest?
The popularity of this gritty period crime drama launched a revival of 1920s fashion during the series, including the trend of the flatcap and everyone asking for Tommy’s iconic haircut.
The Office for National Statistics once reported a rise in baby names taken from characters in the show, particularly Arthur, Finn and Tommy.
Retired professional wrestler and Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista even has a Tommy tattoo on his thigh (perhaps he regrets that?), while Ted Lasso used the Peaky theme song in an episode.
Super fans have themed their weddings around the show, there’s a Peaky Blinders bar in Manchester, dozens of location tours, as well as live shows and even a thrilling dance stage adaptation Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby.
With fans this invested in the Peaky experience already, we can expect the movie to spark more excitement, more merch, and a spike in cap sales.
