Peaky Blinders returns to BBC with huge change in show announcement

The upcoming feature film is expected to unleash a wave of interest - and now a huge announcement has confirmed that series seven of the show will come hot on the movie's heels. The series, which will air in 2026, will be set in the 1950s - a two-decade jump from the last time the show was seen on screens.

It will come as a shock to fans who had believed series six was the ending for the characters. A TV insider told : "The sixth series was supposed to be the last and the movie was meant to be the final farewell for the story. But show boss Steven Knight couldn't resist coming back to the story - his most famous creation - and he's been dropping hints he wanted to return to do more."

The source added: "The fact that it's been officially green-lit by the Beeb and wheels are in motion on pre- production will be a huge thrill to fans of the show, which was a huge hit for the BBC."

Filming for the latest series, which will take the Birmingham boys into an era shaped by notorious London gangsters the Kray Twins, is set to begin in September.

The previous series was set in the 1930s, while the upcoming film, titled The Immortal Man, will transport readers to the 1940s in the midst of the Second World War.

Fast forwarding to the 1950s for the next series is sure to make it a hit with viewers when it comes to BBC One.

It will also be made available to stream internationally for fans in other parts of the world, thanks to Netflix.

Cillian Murphy is tipped to return as crime boss Thomas Shelby, although there's a chance he could have a different role now that he's older, as a "father figure" to younger gang members.

The news comes after writer Steven Wright teased cryptically: "The world of 'Peaky' will continue."

Meanwhile, viewers will be looking forward to seeing Saltburn star Barry Keoghan appear in the drama, following earlier confirmation that he'd joined the cast of the Peaky Blinders film.

Express.co.uk has approached the BBC for further comment.