'Peaky Blinders' season 5: Will Tommy Shelby go back to his criminal empire or stay a true MP for Britain's future?
Set in Birmingham, England in the aftermath of World War I, 'Peaky Blinders' revolves around the story of a razor-blade wielding mafia gang headed by Tommy Shelby. Cillian Murphy, who portrays the lead, has gone through a substantial character arc since the beginning - from being a ruthless gangster we have seen him being elected as an MP for Birmingham South in the last outing.
Season four ended on a mystifying note with a glimpse into Shelby's fragile frame of mind during his brief retreat from work, after which he successfully grabs a place in the political arena. It is yet to be seen how it transforms him as a person and how he manages to bring a balance between the two sides of his persona. The mobster MP now seems to have to make decisions not only keeping his family in mind but also in retrospect about a bold vision for Britain's future. From acquiring more area under his control to finding a new way to stay in the business, he has many irons in the fire.
The sharp ending to the season opens a window for new twists and turns. While it was initially envisioned as a five-season show, there might be more seasons being planned for the future. Will the new American crime families target the Shelbys? Or is it the crown and the army that will pose a threat?
A teaser shows Shelby in a character introduction with an “MP” title over his name. Strong-minded and firm, he can be heard saying, “I would change the world.” But the question remains: How long will his stint as an MP last since he’s in with the New York Mafia?
By order of the Peaky Blinders, we just dropped every single episode back onto @BBCiPlayer
— BBC iPlayer (@BBCiPlayer) June 28, 2019
(Superfans might want to keep a VERY close eye on this trailer… 👀) pic.twitter.com/UTPYrbD1z5
If buzz is to be believed, Sam Claflin seems to be joining the cast as the party leader, Oswald Mosley. 'Game of Thrones' star Aidan Gillen will also be returning as the Aberama Gold.
Former 'Hollyoaks' actor Emmett J Scanlan, 'The Handmaid’s Tale' fame Anya Taylor-Joy, Brian Gleeson (The Bisexual), Neil Maskell (No Offence), Kate Dickie (The Cry), Cosmo Jarvis, Elliot Cowan, Charlene McKenna, Andrew Koji and Daryl McCormack are some other names in talks.
The grapevine is abuzz with rumors that Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson), Michael Gray (Finn Cole), Ada Thorne (Sophie Rundle) and Polly Gray (Helen McCrory) are also all set to be returning.
While the fifth season has not been blocked on the calendar yet, it seems like series creator Knight has chalked out his plans for Shelby's journey in seasons six and seven as well. Variety reported that at the Canneseries TV drama festival, he said: "I want to take him on that journey from the person we saw [in series one], to the person he will become in 1939. [Series seven] will tell a different story, where Tommy Shelby – who begins as this nihilistic, looking out only for his family person – will be redeemed, and he will become good."
In an earlier interview, he revealed how his characters were creating new paths for themselves. "At this moment, it has its own logic and momentum. Right now, it feels as if the characters are just writing themselves."
The shooting of 'Peaky Blinders' was wrapped up in January. According to director Anthony Byrne, the sound and mixing work was finished in June 2019. The release date is not fixed yet, but its return seems to be finalized for 2019 and it has been officially confirmed that the show will switch channels from BBC Two to BBC One.