Line of Duty star Stephen Graham reveals he was set to join Peaky Blinders cast before coronavirus crisis halted filming for series six
Stephen Graham has revealed he was set to join the star-studded cast of Peaky Blinders before the COVID-19 pandemic brought filming to a standstill.
The Line of Duty star, 46, had signed up to be a part of the sixth series of popular Birmingham-based drama alongside Cillian Murphy and Helen McCrory.
Stephen admitted that the new role had been in the works for a while however it has since been put on ice ‘indefinitely’ amid the crisis.
New role: Stephen Graham has revealed he was set to join the star-studded cast of Peaky Blinders before the COVID-19 pandemic brought filming to a standstill.
Stephen told The Sun: ‘I was supposed to be starting Peaky Blinders but that has been put on hold indefinitely.
‘My agent spent a lot of time putting that together.’
Stephen, who also starred in Martin Scorsese’s gangland movie The Irishman, will follow in the footsteps of a whole host of other famous faces who have featured in the BBC1 show including Tom Hardy and Adrien Brody.
Famous faces: Stephen will follow in the footsteps of a whole host of other Hollywood names who featured in the BBC1 show including Cillian Murphy
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight said that the star was the top of his wish list for a role in the show after the pair worked together in last year’s mini-series A Christmas Carol.
The show, which shoots primarily in Liverpool and Leeds, announced that it is postponing production on series six over fears about coronavirus last month.
Posted on the programme’s Instagram account, a message read: ‘After much consideration, and in light of the developing situation concerning Covid-19, the start of production of Peaky Blinders series 6 has been postponed.’
‘Huge thanks to our incredible cast and crew, and to all our amazing fans for their continued support.’
Suspended: Peaky Blinders, which shoots primarily in Liverpool and Leeds, announced that it is postponing production on series six over fears about coronavirus earlier this month
On set: The hugely popular show stars Cillian Murphy and films mostly in the Yorkshire region (Cillian pictured on the set of season five with director Anthony Byrne)
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, the producers – Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect Productions – of Peaky Blinders S6 have postponed filming, and World Productions of Line of Duty S6 have suspended filming, both in consultation with and supported by the BBC.
‘We will continue to review all productions on a case-by-case basis and will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organization and Public Health England.’
When the show eventually returns, time will jump forward to see Tommy and his band of brothers at the beginning of World War II.
Daunting times: When the show eventually returns, time will jump forward to see Tommy and his band of brothers at the beginning of World War II