Peaky Blinders to return for a third series, BBC confirms

The drama starring Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy has been well received

Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby at the Epsom Derby in the finale of series two of 'Peaky Blinders' (BBC)

Peaky Blinders will return for a third series, the BBC has announced, following the close of season two of the Brummie gangster show.

The drama, starring Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, Sam Neill and Helen McCrory, first aired in September last year and finished its most recent six-episode run on Thursday night.

After the credits rolled, a statement from its official Twitter account read: “Peaky Blinders will return for a third series on BBC Two.”

Viewers for both series have ranged between two and three million and it is being shown in the US by the Netflix subscription service.

Set in the aftermath of the First World War, the series’ bleak portrayal of gangland Birmingham initially divided viewers but has drawn a dedicated following as well as rave reviews from critics.

Calling it the “finest British drama of 2014”, The Independent’s Grace Dent bemoaned that more people were not watching.

Now they will have the chance.