The BBC has finally confirmed the release date for the long-awaited sixth and final series of Peaky Blinders.
It was revealed by the show’s creator, Steven Knight, towards the end of last year that after filming had wrapped up, he was hoping for a Spring-time release for the final season of the critically-acclaimed BBC drama – which follows the exploits of the Shelby crime family, lead by celebrated Irish actor Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, in the direct aftermath of the First World War – citing an expected air date of sometime between March and May 2022.
But now, the BBC has confirmed that we’re getting it much earlier than initially thought.
The broadcaster has this morning revealed the previously-secret air date to be Sunday 27 February 2022 at 9pm via a video shared to social media.
In a bid to get fans excited for the much-anticipated series, the air date and timeslot allocation was revealed by way of a large mural – commissioned by the BBC and created by Manchester’s mural king and legendary street artist, Akse P19.
The 12.71m (42ft) high artwork, which depicts gang leader Tommy Shelby – played by Cillian Murphy – was painted over seven days on a pub.
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It emblazons the side of The Old Crown in the Digbeth area of the city.
Production for the sixth and final series of the much-loved show first began all the way back in 2019, but had to be put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before filming resumed back in early 2021.
Most-notably back in February, the viaduct and arches around Castlefield took a pretty impressive step back in time and had undergone quite the transformation to pay resemblance to the show’s setting of early-1900s Birmingham.
With several wooden scaffolds, market-style props, trader signs, sacks, barrels and the Shelby’s famous ‘The Garrison’ all spotted by eagle-eyed fans, the area looked almost unrecognisable to those who know our city centre, but extremely familiar for viewers of the cult-favourite BBC drama series.
Cast members from show had also been spotted outside The Plaza in Stockport and on Formby Beach earlier in the same month.
With several wooden scaffolds, market-style props, trader signs, sacks, barrels and the Shelby’s famous ‘The Garrison’ all spotted by eagle-eyed fans, the area looked almost unrecognisable to those who know our city centre, but extremely familiar for viewers of the cult-favourite BBC drama series.
Cast members from show had also been spotted outside The Plaza in Stockport and on Formby Beach earlier in the same month.
Boasting one of the most star-studded casts on British television, the new series will see the Shelby family return to continue their war against fascist politician Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin), as well as crossing paths with a mysterious new character played by acclaimed BAFTA-nominated actor, Stephen Graham.
The Queen’s Gambit breakout star Anya Taylor-Joy will also reprise her role, and legendary British actor Tom Hardy is once again set to reappear as Alfie Solomons.
A notable absence will be Helen McCrory, who played matriarch Polly Gray, but tragically died of cancer last year at aged 52.
Cillian Murphy recently said it was “really hard” making the show without her in an interview with The Guardian, adding: “We were just five days away from shooting in March 2020 when the lockdown was announced. Helen was the heart of that show and it was hard to make it without her [as] she died while we were filming.”
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He admitted: “There was this huge absence on the set – we all felt it.”
A red carpet screening of the first episode of Peaky Blinders’ final series will be held on 24 February at Cineworld on Broad Street in Birmingham, and a recently-announced ballot will allow about 300 fans to attend the premier.
Peaky Blinders S6 begins on Sunday 27 February at 9pm on BBC One.
Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
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KFC have launched their own perfume – oh, and a new burger
Danny Jones
Fast food giants KFC have launched their very own perfume in one of the weirdest marketing stunts we’ve seen in a long while.
That being said, we definitely want a bottle.
KFC‘s fried chicken-themed fragrance launches next month and is fashionably named ‘No 11 Eau de BBQ’, a nod to their newest menu item, the Ultimate BBQ Burger, which we also want in our possession as soon as humanly possible.
The franchise’s new signature scent launches in just a week’s time and, yes, you can genuinely buy it along with the new burger for a limited time only.
The UK-only release actually sold out when it came to pre-orders but Brits will be able to get their hands on another batch when the second lot drops on 7 May.
Promising a charcoal and smoky wood-scented aroma that immediately transports you to your mate’s back garden as he turns cheap burger patties into overly blackened dry pucks of meat that you definitely would’ve cooked better if you were in charge, the stunt is also helping raise money for non-profits.
Available in 100ml bottles and for just £11, 100% of the proceeds of every sale will go towards the KFC Foundation, which supports grassroots organisations empowering young people to unleash their potential and build a positive future in local communities across the country.
As for the burger that inspired it, the special edition menu item is a nod to BBQ season gradually approaching and they’ve even made a nod to our famously reliable British weather and its attempts to derail the art of outdoor grilling in a new advert.
KFC perfume and a new burger? Christmas has come well early this year.
The Ultimate BBQ Burger has already launched and will be on the menu until 9 June, priced at £6.49 or £9.99 for a box meal which comes with the burger, a regular mini fillet, regular fries, BBQ sauce and a drink.
And don’t worry, it’ll be available on delivery too — we know we’ve had problems with that when it comes to specials in the past.
As KFC’s No 11 Eau de BBQ perfume, you can wait in the online queue like everyone else HERE and let’s just say you’ll be fighting us and plenty of other Mancs for every last drop.