Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. 

Peaky Blinders film is 'being written', series director says

Writer Steven Knight has previously expressed interest in a movie adaptation of the hit BBC drama about Birmingham gangsters in the early to mid-1900s. 

Roisin O'Connor
Thursday 15 November 2018 13:58 GMT
Comments
Cillian Murphy as gangster Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders
Cillian Murphy as gangster Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A series director for the hit BBC show Peaky Blinders has said a film adaptation is being written by Steve Knight.

Otto Bathurst, who helmed the first three episodes of the series starring Cillian Murphy, provided something of an update after years of rumours about a movie version.

“I think it’s actually being written,” Bathurst, who won a Bafta for his work on the Birmingham-set gangster drama, told Yahoo Movies UK. “I think Steve, Steve Knight the writer, I think they’re planning something, yeah.”

Last year Knight said they were “probably going to do it”, although nothing official has been announced.

Murphy was asked about the prospect of doing a film back in 2016 and appeared ambivalent about the idea, commenting: “I’m sort of like, ‘Eh, yeah, I don’t know, I’m not sure’.”

“I love the idea theoretically,” he said, “but it has to come at the right time, you know? You can’t alienate the beautiful democratic thing of television where everyone just watches it.”

He added: “It’s kind of a sexy idea, but I’ll reserve judgement until the idea is presented to me.”

Last year he seemed to have warmed to the notion, telling Deadline: “If the writing is as good as it is for the show, then for sure.”

Peaky Blinders series five is currently being filmed and will return to screens in 2019. Murphy will return as Tommy Shelby, along with Paul Anderson (Arthur Shelby), Michael Gray (Finn Cole), Sophie Rundle (Ada Thorne) and Helen McCrory as Polly Gray. Sam Claflin, Anya Taylor-Joy and Brian Gleeson were all recently announced as new cast members.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in