Joe Cole left Peaky Blinders because ‘it’s Cillian Murphy’s show’

The 31-year-old is set to star in new Sky drama Gangs of London

Joe Cole reveals that one of the reasons he left his role as John Shelby on Peaky Blinders was because the Birmingham gang drama focussed so heavily on Cillian Murphy’s character.

"With Peaky Blinders, I never really got out of the gates in that role”, he told The Metro. ”It’s Cillian’s show really.”

Cole has the lead role of Sean Wallace in upcoming drama Gangs of London due to appear on NOW TV and Sky Atlantic from April 23.

Speaking of why he was drawn to the part, the actor said: “This show is more ensemble, it follows characters on a deep level.”

“So for me it’s really an opportunity to show what I can do and for the rest of the cast, what they can do,” he continued.

“I’ve spent the last few years turning down gang-related shows because when a show does well you get offered quite a lot of them. I actually chose to leave Peaky Blinders because I wanted to explore new avenues and new characters and new stories.”

Cole went on to discuss his love of gang dramas: “I grew up on The Wire. The Wire was my favourite shows, Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos are other ones.

“The problem for me is they’re the seminal pieces of television, right? They’re also American, right? Peaky Blinders is doing it in the UK now and I think this is, I think this is the one that’s going to move the conversation forward.

“I just feel very lucky to be a part of it.”

Directed by Gareth Evans (The Raid), Gangs of London follows Sean who sets about on a ruthless and reckless pursuit of the men who killed his father Finn Wallace, the kingpin of London’s drug scene.