Jamie Bell replaces Barry Keoghan in new 'Peaky Blinders' series

The series is set roughly a decade later, shifting the timeline into post-World War II Birmingham in the early 1950s

The Peaky Blinders universe is undergoing a major casting shakeup, with Jamie Bell stepping in to replace Barry Keoghan in the role of Duke Shelby for an upcoming sequel series.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Bell will take over the character following Keoghan’s portrayal in the 2026 film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, marking a significant transition as the story moves forward. The new series is set roughly a decade later, shifting the timeline into post-World War II Birmingham in the early 1950s.

Netflix teased the darker tone of the upcoming chapter, describing it as “a new era” where the rebuilding of Birmingham becomes “a brutal contest of mythical dimensions.” At the center of it all is Duke Shelby—now older, more calculating, and “most certainly more dangerous.”

The recasting reflects the character’s evolution. While Keoghan played a younger version of Duke in the film, Bell is expected to portray a more mature and formidable leader of the Shelby legacy.

Bell, best known for roles in films like Billy Elliot and Rocketman, brings a strong dramatic pedigree to the role. Creator Steven Knight praised the casting, saying he is “thrilled” to usher in this next phase of the story with Bell leading a new generation of characters.

The upcoming series will also feature a fresh ensemble cast, including Charlie Heaton, Jessica Brown Findlay, Lashana Lynch, and newcomer Lucy Karczewski.

Originally debuting in 2013, Peaky Blinders became a global hit for its gripping portrayal of a Birmingham crime family led by Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby. The franchise expanded earlier this year with The Immortal Man, and now continues to grow with multiple planned series exploring the next generation of Shelbys.

With Bell now at the helm, the new series signals a bold continuation of the saga, one that shifts focus from Tommy Shelby’s reign to a darker, more unpredictable future led by his son.