BBC, Netflix line up ‘Peaky Blinders’ sequel series to be filmed in Birmingham

Steven Knight’s period epic Peaky Blinders is returning to BBC and Netflix with a new generation of the Shelby family living in post-War Birmingham.

The PSB and streamer have co-commissioned a double series order for the high-end drama, moving the action for series seven to 1953.

Post-World War II, Birmingham is building its future out of concrete and steel after being heavily bombed during the conflict. This sets off a race to own the city’s massive reconstruction project, leading to a brutal contest with the Shelby family at its heart.

Creator Knight will pen the follow-up series to his original hit drama, and the two series will be produced by Banijay labels Kudos, which is also behind Knight’s recent Netflix drama House of Guinness, and Garrison Drama, formerly known as Caryn Mandabach Productions which produced the first six series of Peaky Blinders - alongside Banijay sibling Tiger Aspect - as well as the upcoming film The Immortal Man.

Broadcast revealed in April that Knight had indicated a seventh series of Peaky Blinders was close to being greenlit, but this time following a later iteration of the Shelby gang.

Both upcoming series will be 6 x 60-minutes and will be filmed at Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham, a facility Knight helped establish. He, along with original star Cillian Murphy, Kudos chiefs Karen Wilson and Martin Haines will exec produce, with Jamie Glazebrook undertaking the same duties for Garrison Drama, Jo McClellan and Danielle Scott Haughton for the BBC, and Mona Queshi and Toby Bentley for Netflix.

Production for the two new series of Peaky Blinders is supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and is the first commission following the new BBC partnership agreement with the WMCA and Create Central to expand BBC and partner production investment in the West Midlands.

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said: “This game-changing show made a huge impact when it first came to our screens 12 years ago and it is one of the BBC’s most-loved dramas. Steven has worked his magic once again and I can’t wait for his scripts to be brought to life when filming begins in Birmingham.”

Knight promised the new generation of Shelbys “have taken the wheel and it will be a hell of a ride”, while Patrick Holland, chief executive of Banijay UK, said Peaky Blinders is “one of the most iconic, era-defining dramas of our time”.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, noted the production will bring job opportunities for local people in Birmingham, adding: “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.” 

This story first appeared on Screen’s sister site Broadcast.