First look at Cilian Murphy as he reprises iconic role as Tommy Shelby for Peaky Blinders movie
CILLIAN Murphy donned Tommy Shelby's trademark flatcap as he reprised his gangster role in Peaky Blinders.
Filming for the highly anticipated spin-off movie has finally begun as film crews took over the streets of Birmingham.
The 48-year-old Irish actor shot scenes around Cornwall Street on Monday as canal routes were shut down, and boats, bars and people were dressed up in period clothing.
The Oscar winner could also be seen with fake blood trickling down his cheek and wearing a heavily mud-stained coat and suit.
He was snapped looking relaxed while chatting to director Steven Knight, who wrote the multi-award winning gritty BBC gritty drama.
Netflix announced that production had officially started on the Peaky Blinders movie earlier this month.
READ MORE ON PEAKY BLINDERS
Set in post-World War I Birmingham, it follows the Shelby family and the ambitous Tommy Shelby, as he rises to power as a gang leader and Labour politician.
Dune star Rebecca Ferguson and Academy Award nominee Tim Roth have joined the cast.
BAFTA winner and Saltburn star Barry Keoghan has also signed on to the project.
Further casting is yet to be announced with details to be revealed in due course.
Most read in TV
Pictures of the set have emerged which show crew bustling away as they shot the first scenes three weeks ago in Liverpool.
Security was tight at the secret location in what looked like an abandoned industrial building.
The rest of plot and further details such as casting and a specific release date remain tightly under wraps.
Six series of the hit show originally aired across BBC One and BBC Two from 2013 until 2022.
Speaking about the upcoming film, Steven teased that the Shelby dynasty are set for a brand new fight in the franchise.
He explained: "I’m thrilled to see the cameras rolling on this new chapter of the Peaky Blinders story, set during World War II.
"The country is at war, and so, of course, are our Peaky Blinders."
While director Tom Harper added: "There’s a great feeling of anticipation and excitement amongst our outstanding cast and crew.
"We’re grateful to the fans for getting us to this point and believe this next chapter is going to deliver something extraordinary."
Peaky Blinders series guide
Series One (2013)
The series started in 1919 just after the end of World War I. The ambitious Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) runs the Peaky Blinders street gang. They attract attention from Royal Irish police detective chief inspector Major Chester Campbell (Sam Neil). He's been sent by Winston Churchill (Andy Nyman) from Belfast. He has been given the task to crack down on the Irish Republicans and the Communist Party. It ended on "Black Star Day" at the Worcester Races as the gang tried to take over Billy Kimber's betting pitches.
Series Two (2014)
The series begins in 1921 and culminates with a huge climax in May 1922 at the Epsom racecourse on Derby Day. The Peaky Blinders try to expand their criminal organisation in the "South and North" of the city. This is while they maintain their stronghold in their Birmingham 'heartland'.
Series Three (2016)
In 1924, Tommy and the gang once again look to expand their operations, but this time they want to go international. Father John Hughes (Paddy Considine) is involved in an anti-communist organization, whilst Polly (Helen McCrory) enlists Ruben Oliver (Alexander Siddig) to paint her portrait.
Series Four (2017)
Christmas Eve 1925 is when the fourth series kicks off. The gang receives word that the leader New York Mafia, Luca Changretta (Adrien Brody), wants to avenge his father's murder that was committed in series three. At the end of the instalment, Tommy becomes elected as a Member of Parliament in 1927 after the general strike of the previous year. This is after he used communist leader Jessie Eden for information.
Series Five (2019)
The hit series became so popular that it switched over to BBC One. It's the morning after Black Tuesday and the Wall Street Crash of 1929, and the Great Depression looms large. Tommy faces new dangers as he is warned that there's a traitor in his circle. However, his plan for fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin) springs into action. Meanwhile, Ada Shelby (Sophie Rundle) embarks on a romance with Colonel Ben Younger (Kingsley Ben-Adir), who happens to be Tommy's contact from the British Intelligence. She quickly falls pregnant with his baby before he is dramatically killed by a car bomb.
Series Six (2022)
The sixth and final series of the show starts in 1933, just as the US repeals the prohibition. Tommy is set with more danger as Mosley grows the British Union of Fascists after the Nazis seize power in Germany. However, events get complicated as he also has to deal with plots from both the Irish Mob and the Anti-Treaty IRA.
