Mayor of West Midlands Visits ‘Peaky Blinders’ Set, Highlighting Netflix’s Investment in UK Creative Industries

15 November 2024

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The Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, visited the set of the upcoming Peaky Blinders film at Digbeth Loc. Studios on Thursday, 14th November. The visit underscores Netflix’s significant investment in the region and its commitment to the UK creative industries.

Mayor Parker praised the impact of Peaky Blinders on both local and international audiences. “The show has put our region on the international stage,” he said. “Netflix’s commitment to the series and the West Midlands is not only a vote of confidence in Steven Knight’s new studios but also in the talent of local people working in our TV and film sector. I want to build on that by working with Steven, Netflix, the BBC, and others to make the West Midlands the beating heart of the UK creative economy.”

Bringing ‘Peaky Blinders’ Home

Steven Knight, the writer, creator, and producer of Peaky Blinders, expressed his excitement about filming in Birmingham. “I am so thrilled to be welcoming the Peaky Blinders home to Birmingham and my own Digbeth Loc. Studios,” Knight said. “The Peaky movie is being shot in the heart of Digbeth, which was the stomping ground of the real Peakies a hundred years ago. Netflix has embraced our city, and together we are committed to bringing the people of Birmingham into our industry. This is just the beginning, and our plan is to plant the TV and film industry in Midlands soil and watch it grow. The world will watch the Peaky movie and know that it was made in Brum.”

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Government and Industry Support

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding opportunities in the creative sector. “Film and TV offer so many great job opportunities, but while talent is everywhere, opportunity is not,” she said. “That’s why I am so supportive of the work at Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham, which will create hundreds of jobs recruited from some of the most deprived areas around the studio and drive millions of pounds worth of investment into the region. Netflix’s vote of confidence in these studios will enable more shows like Peaky Blinders to come to life, driven by the creativity, skills, and talent of people who have been written out of our national story for too long.”

Anne Mensah, Vice President of Content UK at Netflix, echoed these sentiments. “We’re thrilled to be able to film parts of Peaky Blinders, an iconic story, in the heart of Birmingham at Digbeth Loc. Studios and across the West Midlands,” she said. “Steven Knight is nothing short of a creative genius. His ability to tell such compelling stories while staying true to his Birmingham roots is what makes this next chapter of Peaky Blinders so exciting for our members. Filming across the regions and working with incredible talent like Steven is not just about bringing much-loved British stories to screen but providing opportunities to local communities, empowering them to tell their own stories.”

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Netflix’s Investment in the Midlands

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Over the past five years, Netflix has filmed several productions in the Midlands, including Christmas on Mistletoe Farm, the BBC co-production Champion, parts of The Crown, and Season 3 of Black Mirror. This regional focus is part of Netflix’s broader investment in the UK, its second-largest production hub globally. The company invests nearly $1.5 billion annually in UK-made shows and collaborates with over 10,000 cast and crew members each year. The majority of Netflix’s UK scripted series launching next year are being filmed outside London, emphasizing the commitment to diverse locations.

Supporting Local Talent and Communities

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Netflix is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creative talent through initiatives like the IGNITE Your Creativity programme. Set to arrive in the West Midlands in early 2025, this free programme offers young people the skills, networks, and confidence to pursue careers in the creative industries. By providing practical workshops, backstage visits, and panels with industry experts, IGNITE aims to empower young individuals from various backgrounds to explore opportunities within the sector.

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About the Upcoming Peaky Blinders Film

Production on the Peaky Blinders film commenced on September 30th. The movie is an epic continuation of the multi-award-winning gangster saga, set in the lawless streets of Birmingham in the early 1900s. Written by Steven Knight, who also produces alongside Patrick Holland, Cillian Murphy, and Guy Heeley, the film is made in association with BBC Film.

The star-studded cast includes:

  • Cillian Murphy (Academy Award® winner, Oppenheimer, A Quiet Place Part II) as Thomas Shelby
  • Rebecca Ferguson (Dune, Mission: Impossible)
  • Tim Roth (Academy Award® nominee, Reservoir Dogs, The Hateful Eight)
  • Stephen Graham (Matilda, Boiling Point)
  • Sophie Rundle (After the Flood, Gentleman Jack)
  • Ned Dennehy (Culprits, The Peripheral)
  • Packy Lee (Blue Lights)
  • Ian Peck (His Dark Materials, Robin Hood)
  • Jay Lycurgo (Steve, Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself)
  • Barry Keoghan (BAFTA winner, Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin)

Directed by Tom Harper (Heart of Stone, Wild Rose), the film promises to be a significant addition to the beloved franchise.

Conclusion

The Mayor’s visit highlights the collaborative efforts between local government, the creative industry, and global platforms like Netflix to invest in regional talent and infrastructure. The return of Peaky Blinders to its Birmingham roots symbolizes a commitment to authentic storytelling and community engagement, setting the stage for continued growth in the UK’s creative sectors.

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