Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is returning to Birmingham with two new sequel series commissioned by Netflix and the BBC. The shows will expand the world of his period drama, following the events of the upcoming feature film The Immortal Man, and introduce a new generation of the Shelby family.

Set in 1953, as Britain struggles to rebuild after the devastation of World War II, the story unfolds in a city made of concrete, steel and ambition. Birmingham, heavily bombed during the conflict, becomes the stage for a fierce battle over its reconstruction. The official synopsis describes “a brutal contest of mythical dimensions” in which various factions compete for control of lucrative development projects, while the Shelbys remain at the heart of the turmoil.

Knight explained: “Once again it will be rooted in Birmingham and will tell the story of a city rising from the ashes of the Birmingham blitz. The new generation of Shelbys have taken the wheel, and it will be a hell of a ride.”

Cillian Murphy, who will reprise his role as Tommy Shelby in The Immortal Man, is also on board as executive producer for the sequel series. While it remains uncertain whether he will appear on screen, his involvement ensures continuity with the original’s vision.

The new Peaky Blinders era will consist of two six-episode seasons, each running for 60 minutes. The shows are produced by Kudos (SAS Rogue Heroes, House of Guinness) and Garrison Drama, the company behind the original series and the upcoming film. Shooting will take place at Birmingham’s Digbeth Loc. Studios, the production hub Knight helped establish.

The executive producers are Knight and Murphy, alongside Karen Wilson and Martin Haines for Kudos, Jamie Glazebrook for Garrison Drama, Jo McClellan and Danielle Scott Haughton for the BBC, and Mona Qureshi and Toby Bentley for Netflix. Production for the two new series is supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and marks the first commission under the BBC’s new partnership agreement with the WMCA and Create Central to boost regional production investment in the West Midlands.

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, commented: “This game-changing show made a huge impact when it first came to our screens 12 years ago and remains one of the BBC’s most-loved dramas. Steven has worked his magic once again, and I can’t wait for his scripts to be brought to life when filming begins in Birmingham. There’s plenty of drama for Peaky fans to look forward to.”

Mona Qureshi for Netflix added: “There are few modern storytellers to match Steven Knight, and we will be on the edge of our seats as he returns to the streets of Birmingham and to the next generation of the Shelby family.”

First broadcast in 2013, Peaky Blinders evolved into a global phenomenon, combining refined period aesthetics with a raw depiction of working-class ambition and power. Its sixth season concluded in 2022.