Game of Thrones star Conleth Hill spotted on set of new Peaky Blinders series in Birmingham

From one hugely successful TV series to another, star of epic fantasy Game of Thrones, Conleth Hill, has been spotted filming on the set of gritty period drama Peaky Blinders. Cameras have begun rolling in Birmingham for the next instalment of the critically acclaimed show, which picks up the story of the notorious Shelby family 20 years on from where the sixth season finished.

Northern Irish actor, Conleth, best known for his role as Varys in the HBO series adapted from the George R R Martin novels, was seen shooting scenes on a bridge in Cannon Hill Park on Monday (April 27).

Joining the 61-year-old in the impressive cast list is Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell as Tommy's eldest son Duke Shelby, along with Charlie Heaton, of Stranger Things fame, Jessica Brown Findlay, Lashana Lynch, and Lucy Karczewski.

The latest Peaky Blinders series follows the success of hit Netflix film The Immortal Man - but this time Cillian Murphy will not be reprising his role as Tommy Shelby. Instead a new generation of Peaky Blinders will take up the story.

Film crews could be seen shooting dramatic scenes throughout the day in Birmingham's largest park. One included Conleth chatting to a woman as they walk over the bridge. A serene enough image until, shortly after, the same woman is dragged over the bridge by a man and two nuns as she screams "No, get off me, please".

Set in the 1950s, the timeline of the series sequel will pick up after the events that ensue in the World War II-set film.

One onlooker said: "It is great to see Peaky Blinders back and being filmed in Birmingham again. All the costumes look a bit different to what you might consider the usual Peaky Blinders style but as it's set ten years on from the film that's not surprising.

"All the cast looked pretty relaxed but the scenes looked as intense as ever so it doesn't look to have lost any of its edge. I didn't know Conleth Hill had been confirmed as cast either, which is amazing as I'm a huge Game of Thrones fan too."

After the new series was confirmed, director Steven Knight said: “I am thrilled that we are announcing a new era of Peaky Blinders, moving the story to post-war Birmingham in the early 50s

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Jamie Bell taking the role of Tommy Shelby’s oldest son, Duke, and to have Charlie Heaton also leading the cast. There are more exciting cast announcements to come, and Peaky is on the road again."