Peaky Blinders season 3: Spoilers, cast and predictions – everything we know so far

Without wanting to f**k with the Peaky Blinders, we're getting impatient

Cillian Murphy stars as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders series two (BBC)

BBC bosses, you must now give us series three, by order of the Peaky Blinders.

Luckily, new episodes are finally within our sight, with a late April release date not yet officially confirmed but looking probable. Shooting began late last year and ever since, small but juicy titbits have been eeking out, possibly in a bid to keep the fans sweet lest they form their own cut-throat gang in frustration.

Filming wrapped in January with Finn Cole, who plays Polly’s son and Peakys’ accountant Michael Gray, promising superb things, complete with expletives for added emphasis. “It’s good, as f**k,” he wrote alongside some moody-looking teaser photos, as if we weren’t already excited enough.

The official release date has now been announced

Those new to Peaky Blinders should find it doable enough to catch up: there have only been two seasons so far, both with six episodes each. From this point on, there will be spoilers from those first two series, so if they’re still on your ‘to-watch’ list, best look away now as we round-up everything we know so far.

There are some exciting cast additions…

Paddy Considine of Dead Man’s Shoes fame is joining as “the representative of a force beyond anything Tommy has previously encountered”, with Last Resort’s Dina Korzun and Cordon’s Jan Bijvoet also signing on to play refugees in “desperate need” of Tommy’s help.

Paddy Considine is set to make Tommy shake in his laced leather boots (Photographer: Robert Viglasky © Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd & Tiger Aspect Productions Ltd 2015)

…and your favourites are returning

Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Tom Hardy, Annabelle Wallis, Charlotte Riley, Joe Cole and Sophie Rundle are all reportedly coming back. Pour them another whiskey.

Tom Hardy will appear in series three but his scenes might not be extensive (BBC)

The Peaky Blinders are going international…

That’s right, first London in series two, and now the world. Season three will pull Tommy into the “glamourous and dangerous world of international intrigue”, threatening his family and organisation while “forcing him to question everything about his own ambitions and desires”.

…but don’t panic, it’s “still a Birmingham story”

Creator Steven Knight has hinted at “lots of things familiar but lots of things new”, while reassuring fans that while there are now “international consequences” for the gang, they will not lose touch with their roots or, presumably, their Brummie accents.

Power will be a key theme

It always has been, but the new, ominous-sounding storyline will focus on “what it can do to you and what you can do to it”. Ooh-er.

It opens on Tommy’s wedding day but is the bride Grace…or May?

Grace is pregnant and the one Tommy loves (come on, he named his horse Grace’s Secret after her) but it wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if he chose the headstrong May for the business benefits she offers.

Charlotte Riley plays Grace's love rival May Carlton in Peaky Blinders (BBC)

It looks set to attract more viewers than ever

What with the past seasons drawing up to three million viewers and ending up on Netflix UK and US, Peaky Blinders has built up a cult following gagging for its return. There’s no word yet on whether a move from BBC Two to BBC One is likely but given its rising success, it could well bag a prime spot.

Cillian Murphy is touting it as the best series yet

Being in demand in Hollywood means the likes of Murphy and Tom Hardy simply would not agree to more episodes if they didn’t hugely rate the writing. Murphy reckons series three’s is “the strongest it’s ever been…off the charts” and so “brilliant” that he plans to stay involved for the forseeable.