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Peak Blinders Returns for Season 5 in 2019

Though many of us were disappointed to hear there would be a delay on Season 5 of Peaky Blinders, the good news is that they're definitely returning, and filming is currently underway.

The even better news is that while the series was originally intended to end after Season 5, the creators have confirmed it will now extend up to Season 7. Season 7 is currently expected to be the last season, as creator Steve Knight wants to see the series end as the first air raid sirens go off in Birmingham in 1939. His intention was for the family's story book-ended by the two wars.

What is Peaky Blinders About?

Peaky Blinders is a period drama set in early 1900s Birmingham, England. The series tells the story of the Shelby gangster family from 1919 on (up to the late 1920s so far). It stars Cilian Murphy as boss Tommy Shelby, with Sam Neill as his arch nemesis Chief Inspector Major Chester Campbell. Over the course of the series, we see the family work to expand its power and influence while the authorities do what they can to stop them.

The series took its name from a 19th century youth gang believed to sew razor blades into their caps.

What's Happening in Season 5 of Peaky Blinders?

In Series 5, we can expect to see the family continuing to struggle with the challenges of growth, along with changes occurring in the broader society.

The official synopsis tells us that when Peaky Blinders returns, it will return to “the world thrown into turmoil by the financial crash of 1929. Opportunity and misfortune are everywhere. When Shelby is approached by a charismatic politician with a bold vision for Britain, he realizes that his response will affect not just his family’s future but that of the entire nation.”

Returning cast members include:

Helen McCrory (Penny Dreadful)
Paul Anderson (Top Boy)
Finn Cole (Animal Kingdom)
Packy Lee (Clean Break)
Kate Phillips (Wolf Hall)
Benjamin Zephaniah
Natasha O’Keefe (C.B. Strike)
Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones)
Jack Rowan (Born to Kill)
Harry Kirton
Charlie Murphy (Happy Valley)
Kingsley Ben-Adir (Vera)
Ned Dennehy (Glitch)
Ian Peck (Coronation Street)

Steven Knight (Taboo) will continue to write the series, and it will be directed by Anthony Byrne (Ripper Street). Executive producers include Caryn Mandabach, Knight, Jamie Glazebrook, David Mason, Patrick Spence, Cillian Murphy and Tommy Bulfin.

When Can We Expect to Watch Season 5 of Peaky Blinders?

Season 5 of Peaky Blinders was delayed, of course, with Season 4 airing in 2017 and no season airing in 2018. The new season is expected to have a normal turnaround time, meaning a premiere sometime in Spring 2019.

In the past, Peaky Blinders was aired on BBC2, but it will be heading over to BBC1 for Season 5. In the US, the series has aired on Netflix, and there's nothing to suggest that it won't be offered there this time around, too.

While You Await Peaky Blinders Season 5…

Since we've got a little while to wait, what about some shows that are similar? While nothing's quite like Peaky Blinders, there are a number of shows that have a similar feel in one way or another.

Cable Girls – Cable Girls is set in Spain, but it takes place in the 1920s and has a similar lawless vibe. You can watch this one on Netflix, and they do offer dubbed audio in case you prefer it to subtitles and the original Spanish. The show is about the women who work the cables at a phone company, and while that seems like it should be pretty dull, there's an awful lot of corruption going on around that phone company. This show is a bit unique because the focus is squarely on the women and the men are the supporting players.
Ripper Street – Ripper Street is set in 1880s London, and it follows the brave officers pursuing Jack the Ripper. Though it's set a bit earlier and focuses more on the good guys, it's a great British period drama with plenty of criminal activity.
Historia de un Clan – This one's set in 1980s Argentina, and it revolves around a crime family known for their kidnapping and ransom operation.
Boardwalk Empire – Boardwalk Empire is set in Atlantic City in the 1920s. It may be across the pond, but it's the same time period and it follows the organized crime scene that grew up around the casinos.
Animal Kingdom – Animal Kingdom is a modern California-based series, but it centers on a well-to-do family that engages in unsavory activities to maintain their lifestyle.
Copper – In the late 1800s, New York City is a dangerous, almost lawless place. The majority of the focus is on Irish immigrants, so if you watch shows from the British Isles because you prefer the accents, you're in luck with this one.