‘Peaky Blinders’ preview gallery: First look at the Season 5’s new characters

We’ve got a sneak peek at the new season of Peaky Blinders, which began filming in Manchester last month.

The acclaimed drama series about a crime family in Birmingham, England in the 1920s launched on BBC Two in 2013 and the fourth season was BBC Two’s most watched drama last year.

Following its huge ratings success, Peaky Blinders will move to BBC One with its six new episodes.

Returning to the cast in Season 5 are Cillian Murphy (Dunkirk), Helen McCrory (Harry Potter), Paul Anderson (The Revenant), Sophie Rundle (Bodyguard), Finn Cole (Animal Kingdom), Kate Phillips (The Crown), Natasha O’Keefe (Sherlock) and Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones).

New cast members will include The Hunger Games star Sam Claflin and American-born actress Anya Taylor-Joy, recently seen in the BBC’s The Miniaturist adaptation.

Creator and writer Steven Knight previously teased: “The story of the Peaky Blinders and of the Shelby family gets woven into the political fabric of Britain and Europe as the 1920’s end and the thirties begin.

“Tommy Shelby faces the darkest force he has ever faced and his struggle is as relevant today as it was then.”

Season 5 will find the world thrown into turmoil by the financial crash of 1929.

The official synopsis reveals: “Opportunity and misfortune are everywhere. When Tommy Shelby MP (Cillian Murphy) is approached by a charismatic politician with a bold vision for Britain, he realises that his response will affect not just his family’s future but that of the entire nation.”

Anya Taylor-Joy commented: “I could not possibly be more excited to be joining such a talented group of people. I can’t wait to get in and play this character.”

Sam Claflin added: “From Steven Knight’s writing to the consistently brilliant production, I couldn’t feel more privileged to be invited to join this iconic show.”

The 32-year-old English actor, seen earlier this year in Journey’s End, began filming this week.

Claflin and Taylor-Joy will make their Peaky Blinders debuts in the new season alongside Brian Gleeson (Phantom Thread), Neil Maskell (Humans), Kate Dickie (The Cry), Cosmo Jarvis (Lady Macbeth) and Emmett J Scanlan (Safe).

Creator Steven Knight revealed earlier this year he has plans for drama series to run for a total of seven seasons, concluding in 1939 with the outbreak of the Second World War.

Executive producer Caryn Mandabach says “this [season] promises to be the best yet.”

Peaky Blinders is available to buy on DVD on Amazon here.

Season 5 is expected to air in early summer 2019 on BBC One in the UK.