Jamie Bell has officially taken over as the lead of Peaky Blinders, marking the first time in the franchise’s 13-year history that Cillian Murphy‘s Tommy Shelby is not the central figure. The sequel series, set in 1953 Birmingham, will follow Duke Shelby, Tommy’s eldest son, as he leads the next generation of the Shelby family. The show is produced by the BBC and Netflix, with filming already completed on the first season.
The switch comes after the feature film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, released on Netflix on March 20, 2026, which ended with Tommy Shelby’s death and the passing of leadership to Duke. Bell replaces Barry Keoghan, who played Duke in the film, while Conrad Khan originated the role in the final season of the original series.
A New Lead for a New Era
The original Peaky Blinders ran for six seasons from 2013 to 2022, following Tommy Shelby’s rise as the head of a Birmingham gang. Murphy became closely identified with the role, and his performance turned the show into a global hit. The sequel series moves the story forward by a decade, placing the Shelby family in a city rebuilding after World War II.
Creator Steven Knight said the new chapter focuses on the next generation. “We are incredibly fortunate to have Jamie Bell taking the role of Tommy Shelby’s oldest son, Duke, and to have Charlie Heaton also leading the cast,” Knight said in a statement. “There are more exciting cast announcements to come, and Peaky is on the road again.”
The sequel series was ordered for two seasons, each with six episodes. Filming took place in and around Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham. Knight confirmed in September 2026 that the first season is “already in the can” and that Netflix has pre-ordered a second season.
Jamie Bell on Stepping Into Duke Shelby
Bell, known for his roles in Billy Elliot, Rocketman, and All of Us Strangers, takes over a character who has now been played by three different actors. Duke was first introduced in the final season of the original show as a young man, then portrayed by Keoghan in the film as Tommy’s illegitimate son and heir.
“It’s a lot to follow Tommy Shelby. I don’t even want to attempt that,” Bell told Variety in March 2026. “But Duke is a different sort of Shelby.”
The official character description calls Duke “older, wiser, more ambitious, and most certainly more dangerous” compared to his earlier appearances. Duke’s birth name is Erasmus, and he is described as having taken over as the leader of the Peaky Blinders following Tommy’s death.
Charlie Heaton as Charles Shelby
Charlie Heaton, known for playing Jonathan Byers in Stranger Things, joins the cast as Charles Shelby, Tommy’s younger son and Duke’s half-brother. The BBC released a first-look image of Heaton in character on May 22, 2026.
The official synopsis explains that Charles fought in World War II, much of it behind enemy lines, and is now trying to live a normal life. He has not seen Duke in years and has cut all ties to the Peaky Blinders gang. “But can you ever escape your own blood?” the synopsis asks. The dynamic between the two brothers is expected to be a central part of the new series.
Why Barry Keoghan Did Not Return
Keoghan broke his silence about the recasting in May 2026, confirming that it was his decision not to return. “I pick projects quite specifically,” he told Variety. “I carefully, cautiously pick because I just want to enjoy, and I want to heal, I want to tell, I want to find, I want to explore.” He added that he “loved making the movie” and called the experience “incredible.”
Cast and Production Details
The sequel series features a mix of new faces and returning actors. The main cast includes:
- Jamie Bell as Duke Shelby
- Charlie Heaton as Charles Shelby
- Lashana Lynch (No Time to Die, The Day of the Jackal)
- Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey, Silo)
- Lucy Karczewski in her television debut
- Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones) as Clemmy Keeler, patriarch of a rival family
- Ned Dennehy returning as Charlie Strong
- Packy Lee returning as Johnny Dogs
- Daniel Monks as Detective Inspector Bell
- Cal O’Driscoll as Aidan Keeler
Cillian Murphy serves as an executive producer but does not appear on screen. Knight wrote the series, with Mike Barker and Anna Zackrisson as directors.
You May Also Like:
Release Information
The sequel series will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK and on Netflix globally. A release date has not been confirmed, but the show is expected to arrive in 2027. The two seasons are each six episodes long, with a total of 12 episodes planned. All previous seasons of Peaky Blinders and the film The Immortal Man are available to stream on Netflix.
Also Read: Peaky Blinders’ Birmingham Base Gains Official UK Production Hub Status
For more updates on the Peaky Blinders universe and other major TV releases, stay with VvipTimes.
Leave a Reply