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.
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.
The sixth and final series of the acclaimed BBC drama airs at the end of this month / Credit: BBC
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.
How a cult classic game helped create the sound of Blossoms’ new album
Danny Jones
More specifically, their soundtracks, as in a recent chat with the Blossoms boys, we found out that their upcoming album was at least partly influenced by a beloved PlayStation 2 classic from 2006.
This is just more proof that you really can find inspiration in just about anything.
Yes, even if only in part, an old video game that many of you may have played back in the day is somehow connected to the latest and technically still yet to be announced release.
We’ve heard of groups such as The 1975 trying to make an album that sounds “as if John Hughes had directed a movie about our lives”, and Red Rum Club leaning further into the growing Western aesthetic with almost every outing, but we never thought we’d hear of a record born out of a love for Bully…
The lads actually touched on that whole ‘still TBC’ when we spoke to them at their studio in Stockport, joking not just about divorce but how they’re baffled by the whole ‘are they working on new music?’ speculation in the media. “Well, yeah, we’re a band – that’s what we do for a living”, as they put it.
But back to the point at hand: lead guitarist Dewhurt’s affection for Bully, a cult favourite PS2 title released by Rockstar Games – the same people behind Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and Red Dead Redemption – and the score behind it, essentially served as a seed for the feel of their newest work.
As he explained above, before being expanded on by frontman and primary lyricist Tom Odgen, they were fortunate enough to be in possession of the details for one half of a duo they both admire: Young Gun Silver Fox, a.k.a. British artist Andy Platts and US multi-talented instrumentalist, Shawn Lee.
Lee also just so happens to be the composer of the original Bully video game soundtrack.
Ultimately, this all came about because Josh contacted him over email simply to praise the game’s music (sure, when he was a teenager, we promise), and only took them until the last year or so to put two and two together. Small world, eh?
Oh, the nostalgia.
It has since occurred to us that we’ve come across him before, too.
For us, it was when playing the first Tales From The Borderlands (a spin-off of the popular action role-playing looter-shooter series that has since been turned into a Hollywood movie), which features his song ‘Kiss The Sky’ and ALSO enjoyed in our late teens.
It still continues to baffle us how things can come full circle like this.
As it turns out, his music appears in various pieces of pop culture, and with Tom professing his love for the funky, bass-forward 80s vibes of Lee and his partner Platts’ stuff, he was then roped in as part of the production team on the hypotheticalBlossoms LP number six. Not that we know anything about that…
What has now come out of all this is the previously alluded to lead single entitled ‘Joke About Divorce’, the music video for which dropped last month.
‘Joke About Divorce’ our new single is out now! We love this record, we recorded it live to tape at Tilehouse Studios with Shawn Lee producing. The second we got the mix back it felt like an instant Blossoms classic (if we do say so ourselves)!
We’re still not sure whether or not this is just the first finished song from the project, the opener or indeed even a title track; all we know is it’s another catchy creation from the Stopfordians.
But yeah, in a roundabout way, somehow that ‘problematic’ game that our parents and teachers complained about when we were kids, either by sheer chance, serendipity or perhaps the divine will of the audio gods, appears to have served as a kind of sonic sapling for a fresh era of the local outfit.
Sadly, we have very little else to offer you in terms of information regarding the ‘as yet confirmed’ next studio release from the Blossoms, but we can tell you we’re very much looking forward to hearing what comes next – especially live.
In case you missed it, they’re headlining this year’s edition of NBHD Weekender music festival at the end of the month; you can see the rest of the lineup down below.
Featured Images — Rockstar Games/Audio North/Press shot (via Go! Entertainment)
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Inside the £1.65m iconic former orangery for sale in the grounds of a grand Lancashire park
Emily Sergeant
An iconic former orangery built for a renowned industrialist nestled in the grounds of a grand Lancashire park is currently on the market for £1.65m.
Now, we know this one is a little off patch for us… but honestly, it truly is a unique masterpiece worth hyping up.
Before we all get carried away though, it goes without saying that the vast majority of us won’t have the money to buy this house just sitting in our bank accounts, but if like us, you’ve love looking at houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beauty.
This is The Orangery – set within the distinguished grounds of Lancashire’s Woodfold Hall, the property effortlessly blends heritage charm with refined modern living.
Located in the sought-after area of Mellor near Blackburn – which is ideally placed for being close by to a wide range of amenities, good local schooling options, and transport links to surrounding towns and cites, all while still enjoying easy access to nearby countryside – The Orangery is bathed in natural light and framed by elegant architectural detail, all offering a rare sense of calm and exclusivity.
Estate agents say this is a home that feels both ‘indulgent and inviting’, and is perfect for those who appreciate character and privacy… and a touch of grandeur, of course.
Built all the way back in 1820 as an orangery to Woodfold Hall for renowned cotton magnate and industrialist Henry Sudell, few homes currently on the market in the North West offer such architectural distinction as this.
This is The Orangery inside the grounds of Lancashire’s grand Woodfold Park / Credit: Fine & Country
This ‘remarkable’ home occupies a private, gated plot that extends to over two acres within one of the region’s most prestigious country estates, and is defined by its elegant stone elevations, soaring ceilings, dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, and countless other period features, all while having been tastefully updated by the current owners to make it fit for modern-day living.
Some of the property’s stand-out features include the striking curved reception hall, the open plan kitchen-diner bathed in natural light from three elevations, and several reception rooms with French doors leading out into the expansive gardens.
There are also five spacious bedrooms on the first floor – with the principal suite boasting bespoke built-in furniture and a dedicated dressing room.
But, it would be fair to say, it’s the outside where this home truly comes into its own.
While the interior is stunning, it’s the outside where this home truly comes into its own / Credit: Fine & Country
The gardens are nothing short of ‘enchanting’, according to estate agents – offering a mature landscape of manicured lawns, stone pathways and terraces, and trees, shrubs and floral boarders that wrap gracefully around the property.
The property also has a sweeping driveway that offers ample parking for multiple vehicles, and has access to a substantial garage.
As mentioned, The Orangery is on the market for £1.65 million with national estate agency label, Fine & Country, and if you’re keen to take a look around for yourself, then get in touch. Otherwise, you can just have a look around on Rightmove instead here.
Emily Sergeant -
15th February 2022 
