Series creator Steven Knight has confirmed that Tommy Shelby himself, Cillian Murphy, will be returning for the film adaptation of Peaky Blinders.
Talk of a Peaky Blinders movie has been rumbling ever since the final season of the hit British gangster show began airing back in 2022, but full confirmation of a feature-length film came back in January, with Knight insisting that filming would begin by September this year.
Better still, screenwriter and director Steven Knight (also known for other BBC cult favourites like Taboo) has now cleared up the confusion and speculation as to whether lead actor Cillian Murphy will be returning for the next installation in the Peaky Blinders franchise.
In a word, his answer was “Definitely”.
Cillian Murphy will officially return for the ‘PEAKY BLINDERS’ movie. 🎬
Now confirmed by the creator himself, Cillian Murphy will ‘definitely’ be in the Peaky Blinders film.
Speaking to local Midlands outlet Birmingham World, Knight said that not only have the finishing touches been put on the final script for the film but that the 47-year-old and now Oscar-winning actor is signed on to reprise his role as the head of the Shelby family, Tommy.
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Interviewed on the red carpet at the premiere of his latest BBC project This Town, the 64-year-old said: “He definitely is returning for it. We’re shooting it in September just down the road in Digbeth.”
A good chunk of the show was famously filmed right here in Greater Manchester at the likes of the Stockport Plaza, along the Castlefield canals and inside Rochdale Town Hall, so we’re still hoping we might get a glimpse of the Peaky Blinders crews popping back up around here at some point too.
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Knight has previously said that the plot of the film carries on the Shelby family’s story as the timeline approaches the Second World War and teased to Esquire, “I know what two stories it’s going to tell”, but revealed little else as to how they will unfold and who exactly they involve.
While there’d been plenty of debate amongst the fan base as to whether a return for the film was likely given the somewhat open-ended finale (we’re staying nothing more), he did admit in an interview with Rolling Stone last year: “If there’s more story there, I’d love to do it but it has to be right.
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“Steve Knight wrote 36 hours of television, and we left on such a high”, he continued; “I’m really proud of that last series. So, it would have to feel legitimate and justified to do more.” As it turns out, there was plenty more to say and more story to tell — at least enough for a film, anyway.
There is still no wider indication as to when we can expect the cinematic release to arrive, you can already bank on being one of the biggest releases here in Britain and the US, where the show has also grown a massive audience. Hopefully, it’s sooner rather than later.
Featured Images — BBC/Taylor Rooke (via Wikimedia Commons)
TV & Showbiz
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Micah Richards reveals dad ‘unexpectedly’ died shortly before going on air for England v Argentina last night
Emily Sergeant
Micah Richards has revealed that his dad died shortly before he went on air for the World Cup semi final last night.
The former right back – who most-notably played for Manchester City for a decade from 2005-2015, and for the England national team from 2006-2012 – was one of the BBC’s pundits providing on-air analysis last night as England faced Argentina in a highly anticipated semi final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup last night.
The two teams faced off in Atlanta, and while goals came from both sides, it was ultimately Argentina that reigned supreme – securing a 2-1 win over the Three Lions.
But while much of the country is grieving the fact that football won’t be ‘coming home’ (well, for another two years at least), Richards is grieving on a deeper level.
He took to Instagram after the loss last night to share with his 1.4m followers that shortly before he went on air, his father Lincoln passed away ‘unexpectedly’ – calling him the ‘proudest parent possible’ in a touching tribute.
“He has left us all too soon,” Richards began in his tribute.
“Hwas my greatest fan. He barely missed a game my entire life. He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career. It was so rare for him to not be by my side.
“I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else.
“I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would’ve wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.”
Danny Jones -
22nd March 2024 
