While it might not be as well-known as some of its U.S. counterparts—and one suspects this will change when the whole series is bingeable on Netflix soon— the BBC’s “Peaky Blinders” is immensely popular across the pond and globally. A British period crime drama television series created by writer/director Steven Knight (“Eastern Promises,” “Locke,” “Taboo”), the series follows the exploits of the Peaky Blinders crime gang in the direct aftermath of the First World War.
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Starring Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, Joe Cole, Ned Dennehy, Benjamin Zephaniah, with appearances from Sam Neil, Paddy Considine, Adrien Brody, Aidan Gillen, Annabelle Wallis, Charlotte Riley, Sam Claflin, Stephen Graham, Noah Taylor, and Anya Taylor-Joy over the years—“Peaky Blinders” is coming to an end, but it looks like it’s going out in a blaze of glory. For one, it’ll feature Anya Taylor-Joy (“The Queen’s Gambit,” “Last Night In Soho”) again, who has become a massive star since her appearance on the series, and Tom Hardy as Alfred “Alfie” Solomons, the leader of a Jewish gang in Camden Town (both were featured in season five too, but Hardy’s presence was small and dialed back).
Hardy’s likely on the show because of Knight, who directed him in “Locke” and came up with the FX series “Taboo” that Hardy starred in, but unfortunately, not that many people saw.
Season five ended in December 1929, the morning after a rally led by fascist leader Oswald Mosley (Claflin). Given the Nazi symbols and tyrannical imagery displayed in the trailer, it definitely looks like the rise of fascist authoritarianism will be factored into the final season. Co-star Helen McCrory passed away earlier this year, and she had a significant role on the show. Murphy said she died during the middle of filming this final season, but the trailer does not explain how her character Aunt Polly’s death is dealt with.
Previously, Knight teased life beyond the series, and it’s been said a movie will eventually arrive, and possibly spin-offs too. “Peaky is back and with a bang. After the enforced production delay due to the Covid pandemic, we find the family in extreme jeopardy, and the stakes have never been higher. We believe this will be the best series of all and are sure that our amazing fans will love it. While the TV series will be coming to an end, the story will continue in another form.”
While an exact release date is unknown, it has been revealed that the show is returning in early 2022. Watch the new final and season six trailer below.