Cillian Murphy returned to the Dudley canals on Wednesday as filming commenced on the forthcoming feature length edition of Peaky Blinders. 

The hugely popular BBC crime drama, set in Birmingham during the city’s early 20th century industrial revolution, ended its six series run in 2022. 

But plans for a film version of writer Steven Knight’s show have been in the works ever since, with principal photography getting underway in September. 

Returning to the Midlands set on Wednesday, cast and crew appeared to be unaffected by freezing temperatures as they filmed a canal scene with Murphy – who reprises his role as criminal kingpin Tommy Shelby. 

The Irish actor was dressed in Shelby’s trademark overcoat and Baker Boy cap as cameras rolled during a location shoot at Dudley Canal at Bumble  Hole and Warrens Hall Nature Reserve in Netherton. 

Cillian Murphy returned to the Dudley canals on Wednesday as filming commenced on the forthcoming feature length edition of Peaky Blinders 

Cast and crew appeared to be unaffected by freezing temperatures as they filmed a canal scene with Murphy – who reprises his role as criminal kingpin Tommy Shelby

The forthcoming film, titled The Immortal Man, will also feature newcomers Tim Roth, Rebecca Ferguson and Barry Keoghan. 

It was confirmed in June that the Peaky Blinders’ original writing and directing team would be returning alongside Murphy for a Netflix film adaptation of the hit series.

The streaming service confirmed the news on X with a photograph of the script, while the Oscar winning actor told Deadline: ‘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. This is one for the fans.’

Director Tom shared: ‘When I first directed Peaky Blinders over 10 years ago, we didn’t know what the series would become, but we did know that there was something in the alchemy of the cast and the writing that felt explosive.

‘Peaky has always been a story about family – and so it’s incredibly exciting to be reuniting with Steve and Cillian to bring the movie to audiences across the world on Netflix.’

Peaky Blinders launched in 2013 and garnered huge audiences both in Britain and overseas, attracting roles for silver-screen stars such as Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy.

The programme is loosely based on a real Birmingham gang of the same name operating from the 1880s to the 1920s who took part in similar illegal activities.

The Irish actor was dressed in Shelby’s trademark overcoat and Baker Boy cap as cameras rolled during a location shoot at Dudley Canal at Bumble Hole and Warrens Hall Nature Reserve

He was surrounded by crew members as he walked the canal between takes on Wednesday

It was confirmed in June that the Peaky Blinders’ original writing and directing team would be returning alongside Murphy for a Netflix film adaptation of the hit series

Snow battered Dudley Canal as the Peaky Blinders production team got to work on Wednesday

The hugely popular BBC crime drama, set in Birmingham during the city’s early 20th century industrial revolution, ended its six series run in 2022

Steam and smoke billowed up from the water, creating the grimy industrial atmosphere made famous in the hit show 

Peaky Blinders aired six series over nine years and ended with Tommy, who had been tricked into believing he had a terminal illness, surviving an assassination attempt orchestrated by his own nephew before killing him and moving away for a new life.

Over recent months there has been off-screen concern for the welfare of Paul Anderson, who plays Tommy’s older brother Arthur Shelby, after he pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine earlier this year.

The 46-year-old was also found to have amphetamines, plus diazepam and pregabalin on him.

The Immortal Man is yet to be given an official release date.  

Peaky Blinders aired six series over nine years and ended with Tommy, who had been tricked into believing he had a terminal illness, surviving an assassination attempt orchestrated by his own nephew