It’s official… a Peaky Blinders film is being made for Netflix, and according to its star, it’s going to be “one for the fans”.
Fans of the smash-hit BBC drama series will know that the idea of a film sequel has been a very long time coming, with rumours about it having been circulating pretty much since the success of the first series, but now, Netflix has confirmed what we’ve all been waiting for.
Taking to its official social media platforms to tease the long-awaited news, Netflix shared a picture of the film’s script and simply revealed that it’s “coming”.
“BIG NEWS: A Peaky Blinders film is coming to Netflix,” the streaming platform confirmed on X.
As you can imagine, not a great deal is known about the film at present.
Pretty much the only information fans have been given to go off being that the film is written by Peaky Blinders’ original show creator, Steven Knight, and it’s set to be directed by Tom Harper – who’s known for directing three episodes of the show, as well as other TV programmes such as such as This Is England, and the 2015 BBC adaptation of War & Peace.
Oh… and then there’s just the small matter of the fact that Cillian Murphy has been confirmed as returning to his starring role as Tommy Shelby.
Speaking on getting the chance to team back up with Steven Knight once again, and stepping back into Tommy Shelby’s shoes for the film, Oscar-winner Murphy said: “It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn’t finished with me… It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders.”
Image: Netflix UK / BBC
The celebrated actor closed out his mysterious statement claiming that “this is one for the fans”.
The news that Murphy would be returning to his role – if the film was to become a reality – had already been confirmed by Steven Knight back in March.
Knight has previously claimed the plot of the film will carry on the Shelby family’s story, as the timeline approaches the Second World War, and even teased to Esquire that: “I know what two stories it’s going to tell”.
But he said little else about how they will unfold and who exactly they involve.
Further casting announcements, timelines for filming and production, and eventual air dates for the Peaky Blinders film are all expected to be revealed in due course.
But considering we don’t know when that’ll be, all we can do for now is wait.
Nestled in Armley, Assembly House is an independent creative hub bringing artists together.
Assembly House, based on Canal Road in Armley inside a historic Victorian mill, has become a home for creatives across Leeds since launching in 2013.
The artist-led organisation combines working studios with an independent gallery and project space, hosting everything from exhibitions and workshops to community events and live music.
The space is currently home to 80 creatives who make up their community, comprising of professional practitioners including educators, performers, painters, sculptors, illustrators, video artists and designers.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their aim is simple - to offer affordable studios to emerging artists alongside technical support, producing support along with access to workshops, internal film screenings and events.
Assembly House offer a yearly program of exhibitions designed to showcase the studio holders and get their work out there. It's all aimed at helping the artists, whether it's their first show or tenth.
It has also helped bring art into the wider neighbourhood through community murals, public sculptures and activities for local people.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They believe art has the power to bring people together and to evoke emotion and thought, and we've got to say that we absolutely agree.
The space can also be hired by students and independent creatives looking to put on their own exhibitions or bring a project to life.
The fabulous venue is generally open to visitors during exhibitions, workshops and events, with visits by appointment at other times, so it's worth checking its website before heading over.
To have a look at their current programme and to find out more about what Assembly House are doing for Leeds and the community, you can take a look at their website here.
Leeds Palestinian Film Festival announces dates for 12th annual edition
Clementine Hall
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival has announced the dates for this year's festival.
This year's festival will explore the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour: "To make art is to say we are here."
These words will reflect the content of this year's festival, which aim to keep Palestinian stories alive; defy the erasure of history; and bring voices from the depths of destruction.
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival will open Friday 13 November at the iconic Hyde Park Picture House with Life Support, a documentary about doctors in Gaza directed by Daniele Rugo.
Image: Supplied
The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with the director and doctors from the film, chaired by Healthworkers4Palestine.
Early programme highlights include the UK premiere of Conversation with the Sea, Muayad Alayan's family drama in which a 60-year-old Palestinian man in Jerusalem, ordered by an Israeli court to pay a debt allegedly owed by his son who drowned decades ago, sets out to discover what happened.
Also showing will be Maggie Lemere's documentary, Land of Canaan, follows Palestinian farmers and their olive trees, some more than 1,000 years old, and the fair-trade movement led by Dr Nasser Abufarha to protect them.
Image: Supplied
Frances Bernstein, Festival Director, said: “To make art is to say we are here. We chose the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour as this year's theme because they reflect what the programme is for: keeping Palestinian stories alive, defying the erasure of Palestinian history, culture and identity, and bringing voices from the depth of destruction to audiences in Leeds."
The full programme, guests and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks. You can find out more here.
Emily Sergeant -
5th June 2024 
