Peaky Blinders sequel recasts Duke Shelby with Jamie Bell: new photos reveal character

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Netflix has cast Jamie Bell as the lead in its new Peaky Blinders sequel, taking on the role of Duke Shelby that Barry Keoghan first inhabited in the recent film. The move signals a fresh chapter for the franchise as the story shifts forward in time and a major streaming commitment backs the project.

New lead, familiar universe

Bell—known most recently for his work on Shining Girls—will front the series as the central Shelby figure. He replaces Keoghan, who portrayed Duke in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, the feature that extended the original TV saga onto the big screen.

The sequel has already been greenlit for two seasons by Netflix and returns to the creative control of series creator Steven Knight, maintaining a direct link to the franchise that made names of its original ensemble.

Who’s joining Bell

Netflix has announced several additional cast members, though their character details remain undisclosed. The lineup includes:

Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things)

Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey)

Lashana Lynch (The Day of the Jackal)

Lucy Karczewski — marking her first television role

All four are confirmed participants, but the production has not released information about how they fit into the Shelby world or the larger plot.

Setting and stakes

The new series moves the timeline into the 1950s, roughly a decade after the events depicted in The Immortal Man. The story focuses on Birmingham’s postwar transformation, where reconstruction becomes as much about power and rivalry as infrastructure.

At the heart of that turmoil is Duke Shelby—described by the show’s creators as older and more ruthless—positioned to navigate and shape the intense scramble for influence in a changing city.

Key facts at a glance

Platform: Netflix

Series order: Two seasons confirmed

Lead: Jamie Bell as Duke Shelby (recasting from Barry Keoghan)

Creator: Steven Knight

Time setting: 1950s, a decade after the film

What this means for viewers: the recast and the two-season commitment suggest Netflix intends to deepen the Peaky Blinders universe rather than treat the film as a one-off extension. Fans can expect a tonal shift that reflects the passage of time and the political and economic upheavals of postwar Britain.

Production and release details have not been confirmed. As the series moves forward, further casting announcements and a production timeline should clarify when audiences will see Bell’s interpretation of Duke Shelby on screen.