Peaky Blinders will be back with a James Bond-style bang when it hits the big screen, its writer promises.
The BBC crime drama has followed the exploits of post-First World War Birmingham gangsters over six series – and fans are desperate to learn the fate of enigmatic hero Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy.
Writer Steven Knight is staying tight-lipped about the film spin-off, set in the Second World War, which is being shot in Birmingham’s Digbeth Loc. Studios.
However, he did tease that a generous budget guarantees they can up the ante.
Steven, 63, said: “The biggest difference between a film and TV series is the budget. When you do stuff for TV, you often have to ask people to imagine it.
“But with a film, you can really do it. You can blow stuff up. Will Tommy be giving James Bond a run for his money?
“Maybe. There are parallels. We always thought of Peaky as very cinematic, so we are finally finding a screen big enough for what we want to do.”
He also said the film will not be the end for Peaky Blinders, as bosses are working on secret plans. Speaking as he collected the TRIC Award for Best Drama this week, Steven said: “We could never have predicted how much this series about Birmingham gangsters in the 20s and 30s would resonate.
“Some things just seem to have momentum and luck, and they stick, and everyone working on them feels that. What is coming next? It’s to be announced. But it’s not the end.”
The show has been a runaway success since it hit screens in 2013. Focusing on the exploits of the Shelby family crime gang, it has also featured Tom Hardy, Sam Neill, Anya Taylor-Joy, Helen McCrory and Aidan Gillen.
