Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight reveals show could continue without Cillian Murphy

‘It will go on in another form’: Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight hints the show may continue WITHOUT star Cillian Murphy as filming continues for the final series

Filming is well underway for the hotly anticipated sixth series.

And now, Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has hinted that the show could continue without Cillian Murphy’s pivotal character Tommy Shelby.

Knight, 62, told Birmingham Live this week: ‘There may be worlds that are part of the Peaky world that are about someone else.’

Leading man: Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has hinted that the show could continue without Cillian Murphy’s pivotal character Tommy Shelby (pictured) 

The award-winning screenwriter added that a Peaky Blinders world without Tommy would require the franchise to take on a totally new form, as he is currently ‘the centre around [which] everything orbits.’

Steven continued: ‘In the form it is in, it is absolutely impossible for this to work without Cillian. As it grows and progresses, who knows?

He added: ‘It will go on in another form, which will be the film, and beyond that we want to keep the world going.’ 

New worlds: Knight (pictured on set with Murphy) said this week: 'There may be worlds that are part of the Peaky world that are about someone else'

New worlds: Knight (pictured on set with Murphy) said this week: ‘There may be worlds that are part of the Peaky world that are about someone else’

The sixth series will pick up where the fifth series left off on 7 December 1929, the morning after a rally led by Oswald Mosley.  

Peaky Blinders centres around its eponymous gang which is run by the ruthless Tommy and his family, and sees them build their power and influence over Birmingham and beyond.

The fifth season ended on a cliffhanger, with Tommy seeing visions of his late wife Grace (Annabelle Wallis) and turning a gun on himself following his botched assassination attempt of the British Union of Fascists leader.

Changes: Knight added that a Peaky world without Tommy would require the franchise to take on a totally new form, as he is currently 'the centre around [which] everything orbits'

Changes: Knight added that a Peaky world without Tommy would require the franchise to take on a totally new form, as he is currently ‘the centre around [which] everything orbits’ 

Production on the show was delayed last year by the Covid-19 crisis, but shooting was able to begin last month with cast and crew adhering to strict coronavirus restrictions.

The BBC drama has been running for eight years and has enjoyed huge popularity but the sixth season has been confirmed as the final one, with creator Steven Knight confirming the story will return ‘in another form’.

Meanwhile, TV star Sam Clafin, 34, was recently seen on set for the first time since producers confirmed he’ll be making his return as the politician.

Last month, Peaky Blinders revealed Oswald’s fate in a tweet: ‘Sam Claflin returns as Oswald Mosley in #PeakyBlinders series 6.’

The Hunger Games star played the fascist leader, who rose to fame in the 1920s as a Member of Parliament and later in the 1930s, having become disillusioned with mainstream politics.

Goodbye: The BBC drama has been running for eight years and has enjoyed huge popularity but the sixth season has been confirmed as the final one

Goodbye: The BBC drama has been running for eight years and has enjoyed huge popularity but the sixth season has been confirmed as the final one