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Peaky Blinders season 6 finally has a release date

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

After *that* Peaky Blinders season five finale bombshell, it was only a matter of time before the BBC agreed to make a season six to answer all the questions we've been left with since it first aired in September 2019. Like who betrayed Tommy Shelby?

Filming was due to start on the show in early 2020, but was pushed back due to the pandemic. On January 18th it was confirmed filming on season six - the final season - had resumed filming and, after a brief break due to a 'false positive' coronavirus test result, they've now announced production has wrapped.

Director Anthony Byrne announced the news on 28th May 2021, taking to Instagram with a picture from set and the caption "Done & Done & Done. "

Does this mean the sixth season is on it's way to screens? YES! But when?! We need to know!

Here's everything else we know about the upcoming series... (*Spoilers*)

Do we have a Peaky Blinders season 6 trailer?

We do! The BBC launched the official Peaky Blinders season six trailer on New Year's Day and, as expected, it's all *very* dramatic.

The full trailer shows a number of our favourite cast members back in action, including Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby (first seen firing a gun, obviously), plus Anya Taylor-Joy as Gina Gray. There's also a quick look at special guest star Stephen Graham, with the trailer sadly confirming once again that series six will be the show's final season.

Expect *lots* of gunfire, fights and a very Tommy Shelby voiceover. Gripping...

BBC iPlayer previously shared a first look at season six back on December 1st. The clip showed Tommy Shelby in character, as well as a certain Alfie (played by Tom Hardy) back in action, too. Eek! Up to this point, fans weren't sure if his character would return, so this is big news.

When will Peaky Blinders season 6 be on TV?

Finally. A confirmed release date. On 16th February, the BBC revealed the sixth and final season of Peaky Blinders would land in 11 days, on 27th February. The official caption read, "The Shelbys are back in business. Watch the final series of Peaky Blinders on iPlayer from 27 February."

Filming was due to start in spring 2020 and the show would have likely aired in early 2021, but production was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. "We were so close to the start of filming season 6. Months of hard work by our very talented, dedicated and hardworking crew," Byrne said of the delays.

"Sets were built, costumes were made. Cameras and lenses tested. Locations were booked. All the prep was done. It’s a real shame not to be able to make it for you at this time."

At the beginning of November 2020, Paul Anderson, who plays Arthur Shelby Jr, hinted the series could be back sooner than we think. Posting artwork of Arthur on his Instagram page, the 42-year-old wrote: "Season six #comingfknsoon. Thanking you all for the wait, it will be worth it."

Then, on January 18th 2021 it was confirmed filming on season six - the final season - had finally resumed, while production wrapped at the end of May. Fingers crossed there's not too much longer to wait...


Who will star in Peaky Blinders season 6?

On 22 February 2021, Black Mirror actress Amber Anderson revealed she was joining the cast for the next series, giving a first glimpse at her character. "Well, blimey," she wrote on Instagram. "Beyond thrilled to announce that I will be in the final season of @peakyblindersofficial. We are already filming and it is going to be epic! Thank you @antobyrne75 & @shaheenbaigcasting . Love you long time 📸: Anto."

Previously, in June 2020, Peaky Blinders director Anthony Byrne teased a new female character would prove to be a challenge for Tommy, and we reckon Amber's got it on lock. "There's a great female character who is new, who is pretty dark," he said to Digital Spy. "I haven't seen a character like her in Peaky before. I won't say who she is, but she certainly gives Tommy a run for his money."

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

As for other season six cast members? After the season five cliffhanger which ended with Tommy pointing a gun at his head after the Oswald Mosley assassination plot went spectacularly wrong, Cillian Murphy will return to the lead role.

Line of Duty star Stephen Graham will also star, after he was spotted filming on the set of the final series. We were treated to our first behind the scenes look at Graham on the set in April 2021:

And there's more good news. Not only has it been confirmed that Natasha O'Keeffe will be reprising the role of Lizzie, but there are a couple exciting additions to the cast, starting with Australian actor James Frecheville, who you'll recognise as Buster from New Girl, along with Black Mirror star Conrad Khan.

Sam Claflin's Oswald Mosley will also be returning, with director Anthony Byrne saying the season will be introducing more characters connected to the MP. He also revealed fans can expect to see more of Gina Gray (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) and her family.

"Gina, and whoever her family are, will make themselves known, Oswald Mosley and some people around him and his world," Byrne said on BBC Sounds' Obsessed With Peaky Blinders podcast.

There had also been rumours that Julia Roberts signed up for a part in the new series, which Byrne confirmed on the podcast: "I don't know where that got out, but yeah, fingers crossed on that." She hasn't been spotted on set, but we can dream! Tom Hardy will also be back as Alfie.


What have the cast said about Peaky Blinders season 6?

The truth is, not very much - supposedly Steven Knight keeps his cards very close to his chest. But Finn Cole, who plays Michael, revealed in December that Polly's divided loyalties between her sons will likely play a big role in the upcoming series.

"Well, she might have a decision to make between the two of them," he told Digital Spy. "I mean, it's tough. What impact could that have on the family?

Photo credit: David M. Benett - Getty Images
Photo credit: David M. Benett - Getty Images

"It's so hard to talk about it, or even predict what might happen, because even someone that's on the inside like me – I can't even predict what Steve [Knight's] going to do, because his brain is so much more detailed and experienced and all those things.

"So I wouldn't want to say, but I know that that's going to be a great storyline, the sort of triangle between me, Tommy and Polly. I know that that's going to be a fantastic storyline, and I can't wait to get into it with those two."

In April 2021, actress Helen McCrory sadly passed away after a secret battle with cancer. The Peaky Blinders crew paid tribute to her on social media, but it's not clear how this will impact the upcoming season.

What will the Peaky Blinders season 6 plot be about?

On multiple occasions, Knight has promised that this season will be the "best series yet". In an interview with the official Peaky Blinders website, PeakyBlinders.tv, he revealed that the coronavirus pandemic meant they were forced to make changes to the upcoming season - but it's "for the better".

He shared, "I always say this, but I think this will be the best series yet. We’ve had to change a few things because of actors’ schedules. I’ve been through the scripts, so some things have developed and changed, I think, for the better."

Meanwhile, Byrne revealed season six will pick up right where season five left off. "Yeah, it picks up directly. So, the very first image you will see will be back in that field… Tommy, with a gun to his head," he told Digital Spy. "Then, we will move on from there, we resolve that amazing moment… it’s great."

And it's guaranteed to deliver some more major bombshells if these comments from the director are anything to go by: "I checked my email and episode one of season 6 had just arrived and I went 'Oh f**k, do you want to know what happens after what we've just watched?'

"Then I sat on the couch and started reading it and my editor was sitting beside me just going 'Woah' and 'f**k' - and I was like 'Do you know what page I'm on?' and I was like '46'. So I actually read the whole thing out loud. It was so compelling."


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