Peaky Blinders: Tom Holland invited to join film cast after missing out on series

The show’s creator Steven Knight spoke about the Peaky Blinders film at the season 6 premiere in Birmingham
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Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight said Spider-Man actor Tom Holland can finally join the ranks of the crime gang – after he was rejected following an early audition.

Knight, 62, issued the invitation at the premiere of the show’s final season at Cineworld in Birmingham on Thursday evening (24 February), where he was joined by stars of the BBC One series including Finn Cole, who plays Michael Gray, and Kate Phillips, who plays Linda Shelby,

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The show, which returns for its last series on Sunday, follows the lives of the notorious Shelby family, a gang rising to prominence in post-First World War Birmingham.

In a recent interview with LADbible, Spider-Man star Holland, 25, said: “I actually auditioned for Peaky Blinders and I did not get the part.”

Last night (Thursday, February 24) Knight said: “It must have been quite a big role he was auditioning for but if he wants to come back for the film, we’ll have him.”

Natasha O’Keeffe and Steven Knight attending the premiere for the sixth, and final, series of Peaky Blinders at Cineworld, in Birmingham. Picture date: Thursday February 24, 2022Natasha O’Keeffe and Steven Knight attending the premiere for the sixth, and final, series of Peaky Blinders at Cineworld, in Birmingham. Picture date: Thursday February 24, 2022
Natasha O’Keeffe and Steven Knight attending the premiere for the sixth, and final, series of Peaky Blinders at Cineworld, in Birmingham. Picture date: Thursday February 24, 2022

Peaky Blinders star rejected by Spider Man

Cole, who plays Tommy Shelby’s cousin Michael Gray in the show, said he auditioned for Spider-Man, adding: “You win some, you lose some, I suppose.”

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Speaking about Peaky Blinders Cole said: “For an actor, it has been a fantastic experience being able to go through all those storylines.

“It has been 10 years since I started this. I was only 18 when I started – I was just a little baby, and now I’m an adult and making my own moves in the Peaky world.

“I’ve had the luxury of working with these fantastic actors over the years, I have learnt so much and I will take that with me for the rest of my career, hopefully.”

Who else attended the Peaky Blinders Premiere?

Stars attending the premiere included Sophie Rundle, who plays Ada Shelby; Harry Kirton, who stars as Finn Shelby; and Natasha O’Keeffe, who plays Lizzie Stark.

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Speaking from the red carpet, Phillips, 32, who plays the ex-wife of Arthur Shelby, added: “When you come back to film another series, it is like coming back into the family hub. I’ll miss that – sharing all of those fun times.”

Although it is the final small screen series of Peaky Blinders, Knight has spoken previously about continuing the Shelby family’s story, with a film – due to be shot in Birmingham – in the works.

Knight added: “It’s amazing to be in Brum and to get this reaction, knowing that it is getting this reaction all over the world. It makes Birmingham the capital of Peaky Blinders, which is great.”

Natasha O'Keeffe (left), Sophie Rundle (2nd left) and Kate Phillips (centre-right) attending the premiere for the sixth, and final, series of Peaky Blinders at Cineworld, in BirminghamNatasha O'Keeffe (left), Sophie Rundle (2nd left) and Kate Phillips (centre-right) attending the premiere for the sixth, and final, series of Peaky Blinders at Cineworld, in Birmingham
Natasha O'Keeffe (left), Sophie Rundle (2nd left) and Kate Phillips (centre-right) attending the premiere for the sixth, and final, series of Peaky Blinders at Cineworld, in Birmingham

Tributes to Helen McCrory

Helen McCrory, who starred in the hit show since it began in 2013 as the infamous Polly Gray, died from cancer last April aged 52.

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And Knight said: “I think it is like when anybody who has lost a member of their family – they’re gone but their opinion stays in the house.

“In other words, when something happens you still think, ‘What would they have thought about this? What would their opinion have been of this?’ and I have tried to keep that with Polly so that the family still thinks, ‘What would Polly have done?’ which is what I think happens with people.”

Actors Murphy, Tom Hardy, Paul Anderson and Stephen Graham were not present at the premiere.

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