Peaky Blinders film: When will the movie be released? Will Cillian Murphy return as Tommy Shelby?

Steven Knight’s gangster show Peaky Blinders was first screened on TV almost a decade and has had an indelible effect on our culture. From themed gin bars, to men asking for a ‘Peaky Blinders’ trim at the barbers, it’s clear that the BBC show has left its mark.

The final series of the show aired in February 2022 after a gap of almost three years, following delays caused by the pandemic and the untimely death of one of the show’s main cast, Helen McCrory, who played Aunt Polly, with the finale airing in April.

Following the end of the TV series, Knight noted his desire to transfer the Peaky Blinders’ tale onto the big screen and confirmed a film will follow the final series. The film has now been in the works for several months, with the writer confirming that filming will begin soon. With that in mind, here’s everything we know about the film so far.

When will the film be made?

The Peaky Blinders movie is due to go into production some time in 2023, according to Knight, who told the BFI London Film Festival: “I am going to write the feature which will be set in and shot in Birmingham. And that will probably be the sort of the end of the road for Peaky Blinders as we know it.”

Knight has confirmed that the script is now finished, with production expected to begin in early next year, and a potential release date in Spring 2024.

He told the BBC: “We’re going to start shooting that early next year in Digbeth in Birmingham on location and in the studio. We should have that ready for Spring 2024.”

What about the cast? Will Cillian Murphy be in it?

The cast for the film hasn’t been confirmed yet, but Cillian Murphy, who, of course, plays leading man Thomas Shelby, has hinted he could be involved and the show’s ending certainly left the door open for a possible return.

Polly’s character is also, reportedly, going to be in the movie. Knight has described her as a vaulable part of the show, telling the RadioTimes: “Helen was so brilliant. When anything happened in the rest of the series, I wanted people to think, ‘What would Polly say?’ It’s like a family when someone passes away, their opinion remains in the house. Polly’s opinion is going to last.”

Knight also explained that they were in conversations with “great actors” for the movie, and wanted to continue to focus on emerging talent.

He said: “There are so many people, so many great actors, that we are already sort of in conversation with for the film, and for whatever follows.

“But I think what we want to do is keep surprising people, and keep breaking new talent. Because it’s all out there, and there is a sort of consistency — what we’re doing is finding really good actors from a working-class sort of background, and telling that story.”

Warning Peaky Blinders show spoilers

In the finale, which aired in April last year, Tommy spends much of the final episode preparing for death following a tuberculoma diagnosis. After tying ups some loose ends, Tommy retires, bidding goodbye to his loved ones, but he then receives a message from his deceased daughter Ruby, providing him with some clarity.

It’s then revealed that tuberculoma diagnosis was actually a ploy orchestrated by fascist Oswald Moseley with the help of Dr Holford. Despite finding out about the scam, Tommy decides to spare the doctor’s life, and eventually leaves on his white horse, preparing for a new life.

Murphy was also recently asked during an interview with TodayFM in October 2022 about the script and the upcoming film. He said: “I’ve still not read it [the script] but that’s the plan, the plan is to make a film and to continue the story but in the cinematic world rather than on the television. The television part of the story is finished. If there’s more stories to tell, I’m there. I just haven’t read it yet but it’s close apparently”.

What will the film be about and who will be in it?

Previously, Knight touched on the plot for the movie, revealing plans for the film to be set during the second World War. He said: “Peaky – in this incarnation – comes to an end,” Knight said about series six. “But we’re doing a film which will also carry on the family and the stories into the Second World War.”

In a recent interview with Esquire, he added: “The film, I know exactly what it’s about. And I know what two stories it’s going to tell. How the story will unfold, I don’t know. What will happen after that, I want that to depend on the film. For all we know somebody is going to pop out – I think I know who it’s going to be.”

During the interview, Knight also hinted at who will be in the movie, saying: “In series six we’re bringing in the new generation, and they are going to be part of what happens in the film. I think it’s finding those actors that you just watch and you think, there you go. There’s the future.”

Liverpudlian actor Stephen Graham has made his Peaky Blinders debut in series 6, as has Amber Anderson who plays Lady Diana Mitford, and James Frecheville who stars as Jack Nelson - meaning all three could feature in the film based on Knight’s comments.