The hit BBC drama Peaky Blinders has grown a loyal fan base across the world following six seasons on television and fans were devastated when the gritty gangster drama's sixth and final series aired in April. But there have since been talks of putting the drama on the big screen and the show's creator has now confirmed he's almost finished writing the script.
The award-winning drama ran from 2013 to 2022 and followed a crime gang in Birmingham following the First World War, with the final series finishing just a few years shy of the start of World War II. Speaking on Heart Breakfast on Thursday, July 28, creator Steven Knight teased the future of Peaky Blinders saying the new feature film will star some familiar faces and include new additions to the cast too.
The 62-year-old British screenwriter and director, who also wrote Dirty Pretty Things and Spencer, spoke about the movie after being asked by host Zoe Hardman if a seventh series was on the cards. But Steven was keen to keep some details a surprise, despite radio host Jamie Theakston quizzing him on whether the film will follow on from the sixth series or be a "prequel story".
"I can tell you that there's going to be a film, a feature film," Steven said and when asked if the film was definitely confirmed, he replied: "Yep, by me, right now."
"I'm writing it right now. I mean, I'm nearly done writing it," He continued: "And we're going to shoot it... I'm setting up some film and television studios in Digbeth in Birmingham. Digbeth and Small Heath is where the Peaky Blinders actually roamed so it's like Peaky is coming home."
Full cast details are yet to be confirmed but many fans will be hoping to see characters such as head Peaky Blinder, Tommy Shelby played by Cillian Murphy make a return, alongside fellow on-screen family members Paul Anderson as Arthur Shelby, Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby and Joe Cole as John Shelby. Tom Hardy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sam Claflin and Adrien Brody also featured in the series - so it will be interesting to see which cast members will be making a return as Peaky Blinders heads onto the big screen.
For fans eager to know when we can expect to see the film, Steven, who was awarded a CBE in 2020 for services to drama, entertainment and the community in Birmingham, shared how he hopes to be filming within the next 18 months. Telling the radio show: "I'm hoping that we'll be shooting in... within 18 months and then obviously we put it together.
"I mean it will depend on the distributors and things when it goes out. But I'm just really looking forward to having a Peaky event where people can watch it communally. I mean, the social media community is so strong and people talk to each other. But to actually be together physically will be really interesting."
Heart Breakfast airs weekdays from 6.30am to 10am. You can stream all episodes of Peaky Blinders over on the BBC iPlayer.
