Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Jess Molyneux

The times when Peaky Blinders stars were spotted filming on Merseyside

Peaky Blinders returned to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for the first episode of the sixth and final series on Sunday.

Since 2012, the gritty drama has captivated audiences and followed Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy and his gang based in Birmingham.

Although the drama is set in Birmingham in the aftermath of World War One, Merseyside is regularly called upon to provide the backdrop for the show.

Read More: Samuel L Jackson and Liverpool legends - Famous faces and 'wonderful' memories of lost city-centre venue

And sometimes we're lucky enough to spot some of the cast before we see the scenes air on our screens.

Here, we take a look at a number of times we have spotted Peaky Blinders actors filming on Merseyside.

Falkner Square

Peaky Blinders actor Joe Cole records a scene for BBC series in Falkner Square, Liverpool (Photo by James Maloney)

In May 2014, scenes for the BBC programme were recorded in Falkner Square

The Liverpool park was taken back in time for the filming off Canning Street.

Passers-by spotted characters in period dress and a vintage car at the city park as scenes for the series were filmed.

Peaky Blinders actor Joe Cole, who plays John Shelby was also spotted recording a scene there.

Port Sunlight

Cillian Murphy shoots Peaky Blinders in Port Sunlight (Picture from Bethany Walker)

In October 2015, Peaky Blinders fans shared pictures of Cillian Murphy shooting the third series in Wirral.

They took to Twitter to share their snaps of the Irish actor as filming for the BBC gangster drama took place in Port Sunlight

The village was transported back to the early 20th century as the latest scenes were shot on the streets.

Photographs show the star looking dapper in a flat cap and smart black waistcoat and black trousers.

The Bluecoat School

In November 2015, the Peaky Blinders crew spent three days filming scenes there in the school conference centre and beautiful domed chapel.

And Cillian Murphy - who plays gang leader Tommy Shelby - was back on set.

He was spotted looking super-smart in period attire outside the Blue Coat’s Grade II listed building

Classic cars were also brought onto the Wavertree school’s grounds.

Rodney Street

In January 2016, Rodney Street was closed as it was transformed into mid-1920s Birmingham as camera crews returned to the city to film another series of the gritty drama.

The late Helen McCrory played the family matriarch, Polly, and was among the stars spotted during filming on the city-centre street.

Join our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group here.

Actors Finn Cole and Sophie Rundle were also spotted leaving Rodney Street that day.

Toxteth

Cillian Murphy on set(centre) (LIVERPOOL ECHO)

Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy was spotted on set in Toxteth in March 2017.

The Irish actor, was filming on Powis Street in Toxteth – which has been transformed into a 1920s street.

Other snaps taken that day showed Kinmel Street, South Street, and Powis Street transformed, with retro-looking adverts placed on the side of buildings, and classic cars, horses and carts on the road.

Actress Sophie Rundle on location for the new series of Peaky Blinders, which is being shot in Powis Street (James Maloney)

That same more, more Peaky Blinders actors were spotted filming a new series in t he area.

There was no sign of Cillian Murphy or Tom Hardy – but key cast members Sophie Rundle, who plays Ada Thorne, and Helen McCrory (Aunt Polly) were spotted in action in Powis Street, Toxteth.

What do you miss most about the past? Attractions, lost venues or perhaps the way of life. Take a look at our nostalgia survey

Vauxhall

Hit TV show Peaky Blinders filming in Dublin Street, Liverpool. Tom Hardy leaves the set at the end of the day's filming (Geoff Davies.)

In March 2017, Hollywood star Tom Hardy was also spotted on Liverpool set of Peaky Blinders.

The actor was seen in period dress on Dublin Street in Vauxhall as he returned to his role as Londoner Alfie Solomons.

Have you spotted any Peaky Blinders actors on Merseyside? Let us know in the comments section below.

Formby Beach

Peaky Blinders actors Tom Hardy, left, and Cillian Murphy, right, chat after filming (Liverpool Echo)

Later that month, Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy spotted filming Peaky Blinders on Formby Beach in March 2017

The two actors were seen talking intently in between scenes for the fourth series of the hit show.

Wearing their 1920’s garb the actors caught the attention of several locals who came down to try to catch a glimpse of filming.

At the time, our photographer was actually asked by the production team not to reveal what was going to happen so as not to spoil the ending for fans.

Nov 2018

In November 2018, Adelphi Hotel transformed for Peaky Blinders filming as stars were again spotted in the city.

Aidan Gillen and Daryl McCormack were dressed in period costume as the production team shot scenes outside the Britannia Adelphi Hotel.

A sign outside the Adelphi at the time read 'Join us for Afternoon tea at the Royal Beaumont Hotel.'

Filming took place that month for series five.

Stanley Dock

Paul Anderson, who plays Arthur Shelby, entering set (Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)

In November 2018, it was the first time Cillian Murphy was seen filming in Merseyside for the fifth series - although crews have been spotted filming other scenes for this season in Liverpool without him.

Cillian was spotted at Stanley Dock, where the side of a warehouse looks to have been transformed for filming, with a sign bearing the name 'Shelby.'

Paul Anderson - who plays Tommy's brother Arthur Shelby - was also seen on set.

A host of extras dressed in period clothing were seen preparing for the scenes, with white horses also spotted.

Bramley-Moore Dock

In May 2021, Liverpool actor Stephen Graham was also seen in Liverpool for filming of the sixth series as a new addition to the cast.

Graham was spotted filming scenes for the series at Bramley-Moore Dock, dressed in a period costume.

On April 29 that year, the This is England and Line of Duty star, 47, was revealed to be making an appearance in the hit show in a tweet from the Peaky Blinders Twitter account.

The post showed a photo of Graham in a waistcoat with the caption: "We’re thrilled that @StephenGraham73 has joined the cast of #PeakyBlinders series 6."

St George's Hall

Paul Anderson, who plays Arthur Shelby, outside St George's Hall for filming of the new series of Peaky Blinders (Lee McLean/SWNS)

Last year,Cillian Murphy returned to the city for filming of the final season in March, when he was pictured outside St George's Hall.

The Irish actor, 44, who plays Thomas Shelby in the hit BBC drama was captured on camera alongside Paul Anderson, who plays his onscreen brother Arthur Shelby in the show.

The pair were seen wearing shirts and ties underneath long black coats as they entered the building for filming.

Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.