Charlie Heaton first look as Charles Shelby

Charlie Heaton has been unveiled as Charles Shelby in the next generation of “Peaky Blinders,” with TV Zone UK publishing a first-look image on May 24. The image was described by TV Zone UK as a BBC-released first look from the new series, which is written and created by Steven Knight. The show is being made for the BBC in the UK and Netflix in the rest of the world, according to TV Zone UK’s report. Trade outlets including Deadline, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter also reported the casting in the past two days. ### Who is Charlie Heaton playing in the new series? Charlie Heaton is playing Charles Shelby, identified by the BBC and trade reports as Tommy Shelby’s eldest son. TV Zone UK said the first-look image shows Heaton in the role as the franchise shifts to a younger generation of the Shelby family. AOL, citing the BBC and Netflix announcement, also reported that Heaton will play Tommy Shelby’s eldest son in the sequel series. (tvzoneuk.com) The Charles Shelby role places Heaton inside a family line already established in the original drama and the follow-on film. Variety described the image as showing “Tommy’s son” grown up, while Deadline said the role reveal came with a new image released this week. ### What has been said about this new “Peaky Blinders” era? Steven Knight said in an earlier casting announcement that the story is moving to “post-war Birmingham in the early 50s.” TV Zone UK reported that quote last month when it disclosed the broader return of “Peaky Blinders” for two further series and later repeated it in coverage of Heaton’s first-look image. (tvzoneuk.com) Knight also said he was “thrilled” to be announcing “a new era of Peaky Blinders.” (variety.com) The BBC project is being produced by Banijay UK companies Kudos and Garrison Drama, according to TV Zone UK and Deadline. TV Zone UK identified Kudos through credits including “SAS Rogue Heroes” and “House of Guinness,” and Garrison Drama through the original six “Peaky Blinders” series and “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.” ### Where does Charles Shelby fit in the cast that has already been announced? (tvzoneuk.com) Jamie Bell was previously announced as Duke, another son of Tommy Shelby, in the same new generation storyline. TV Zone UK said Knight named Bell and Heaton together when the project was announced, saying Bell would play Tommy Shelby’s “oldest son, Duke,” while Heaton would also lead the cast. (tvzoneuk.com) That earlier announcement framed the return as a continuation rather than a one-off image drop. TV Zone UK said the BBC and Netflix had commissioned two new series, set in Birmingham in 1953, after the city had been heavily bombed during World War Two. ### Where is the new series being filmed? Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham is the main production base for the new series, according to TV Zone UK. (tvzoneuk.com) Deadline also reported that “Peaky Blinders” is currently being filmed in and around the Birmingham studio complex. The production details are one of the few concrete next-step facts now on the record. TV Zone UK did not list a premiere date in its May 24 report, but said more details on the new generation of “Peaky Blinders” would follow. (tvzoneuk.com) The series remains set for the BBC in the UK and Netflix internationally, with filming already under way in Birmingham. (tvzoneuk.com)