Peaky Blinders filmed at historic stately home in Midlands

One of the country’s top stately homes is shining under a global spotlight.

Scenes from the new Peaky Blinders film have been shot at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire.

The sprawling country estate made it a top location for scouting producers keen to capture the atmospheric gentle decay of Calke Abbey.

The film set in 1940s Birmingham will see Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) in a script penned by Steven Knight with director Tom Harper at the helm.

Although the film is due for release in the coming weeks, filming took place over winter 2024.

It was the first time the estate was the setting of a major cinema production welcoming global stars Rebecca Ferguson, Packy Lee and of course Cillian Murphey.

Scenes were shot inside the house and on the grounds.

Internal shots included passageways and corridors, the kitchen, school room and night nursery, as well as other rooms normally used as collection stores.

External shots of the stable yards at Middle Lodge and surrounding parkland can also be seen in the film.

The production team and set designers transformed spaces to ‘meet the creative vision’ including enhancing the abandoned atmosphere of the estate with a vintage car adding period detail.

It was the character of Calke Abbey, sitting in serene surroundings, with peeling wall-paper and paint that is thought to have made it a ‘compelling’ filming location.

Many of the stables and house were left largely untouched to portray the early 20th century when country estates fell into dilapidated conditions.

The film crew numbered several hundred including the cast, catering, hair and make-up, camera and lighting crew and set designers.

As Calke Abbey is a National Trust (NT) site, the NT filming and location team worked in tandem with property staff to carefully prepare scenes to be shot in the house and on the grounds.

Calke Abbey has thousands of items, which meant approximately 1,300 had to be packed away in storage ahead of filming.

Protective flooring was also laid down to shield delicate surfaces.

Speaking to the BBC, Visitor Operations Manager Caroline Taylor, said: "Seeing the estate in all its glory on screen, from the atmospheric rooms to the historic stable yards, truly celebrates what makes Calke special.

"It's a privilege to share this unique house and landscape with the film, and we can't wait for audiences to see it brought to life."

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man can be seen in cinemas from March 6 and makes its Netflix debut March 20.