The Peaky Blinders franchise is officially expanding with a sequel series set a decade after World War II, bringing the show's gritty Birmingham underworld into the 1950s. According to the production announcement , the new iteration will feature a rival gang led by Conleth Hill as Clemmy Keeler, alongside a roster of fresh and returning faces, with filming underway at Digbeth Loc. Studios.. The series — at least two six-episode seasons — aims to capture a city rebuilding from war while new gang wars erupt for control of the industrial heartland.

Conleth Hill joins as Clemmy Keeler, patriarch of a new rival dynasty

The most significant new addition, as the source reports, is Conleth Hill — best known as Lord Varys in Game of Thrones — who will play Clemmy Keeler, the fierce patriarch of the Keeler gangster family. Hill's character is described as the primary rival to the Peaky Blinders , setting up a direct conflict that will drive the sequel's central drama. Cal O'Driscoll will portray Clemmy's son, Aidan Keeler, suggesting a multi-generational family feud rather than a single antagonist.

Game of Thrones connections run deep: three cast members with Westeros ties

Beyond Hill, the sequel boasts two other actors linked to the Game of Thrones universe. Daniel Monks, who appeared in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, takes on the role of Detective Inspector Bell, adding a law-enforcement dimension to the gangland conflicts. This clustering of talent from HBO's fantasy epic — as noted in the production details — signals a deliberate strategy to leverage established fan bases for the Peaky Blinders expansion. Meanwhile, other newcomers including Samuel Bottomley, Arturo Muselli, Eugene Collins, and Lucie Shorthouse will fill out Birmingham's post-war social fabric.

Post-WWII Birmingham: rebuilding, rivalry, and the industrial heartland's decay

The sequel's 1950s setting — a decade after the end of the second World War — is not merely a chronological shift but a thematic one. The source describes a city struggling to rebuild from ruins, with political instability and raw street violence as the backdrop. This echoes the original show's early seasons, which explored the aftermath of the First World War and the Great Depression. Now, the franchise moves into an era of economic reconstruction, rising immigration, and the decline of traditional industries — fertile ground for a story about power, class, and survival.

At least two six-episode seasons: what the long-term plan reveals

The series is planned to consist of at least two six-episode seasons, according to the announcement. This commitment to a multi-season run — unusual for a sequel or spin-off — suggests that creator Steven Knight and executive producer Cillian Murphy have mapped out an ambitious arc. It also provides room for complex character development, especially for the new Keeler dynasty and the returning faces like Charlie Strong (Ned Dennehy) and Johnny Dogs (Packy Lee). The international distribution deal with Netflix, alongside BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, underscores the global appetite for the brand.

The open question: will Tommy Shelby appear on screen?

While Cillian Murphy is confirmed as an executive producer ensuring creative continuity, the source does not state whether he will reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby on screen. The returning characters listed — Charlie Strong and Johnny Dogs — are supporting figures, leaving the fate of the show's central protagonist unaddressed. Given Tommy Shelby's ambiguous end in the original series, the sequel faces a narrative challenge: either incorporate him in a limited capacity, or build a new story that moves decisively beyond his shadow. The production has not clarified this, making it the most pressing unknown for fans.