Peaky Blinders stars Paul Anderson and Harry Kirton get into character as they film new scenes

It was business as usual on Monday as filming resumed on the sixth and final series of hit historical crime drama Peaky Blinders. 

With cameras ready to roll, actor Paul Anderson was dressed in character as Arthur Shelby Jr while waiting for his latest scene on location in Manchester’s Castlefield. 

Revealing the distinctive skin fade haircut that has become synonymous with the show, Anderson, 43, amiably chatted to fellow cast-members before snapping back into his role as the no-nonsense gang member.  

Co-star Harry Kirton was also on the industrial looking set ahead of his return as Arthur’s brother Finn Shelby – the youngest member of the Shelby family. 

The actor, 22, revealed the same drastically shaved hairstyle while immaculately dressed in a period suit and frock coat.

With the 1930s providing a historical backdrop for the forthcoming series,  authentic cars from the period were present, surrounded by dozens of extras. 

The final tweaks were made to the Manchester-based sets in February after the cast had been filming in Scotland.

The sets, however, are portraying Birmingham, the actual setting of the hit gangster drama.

Peaky Blinders centres around its eponymous gang which is run by the ruthless Tommy Shelby [Cillian Murphy] and his family, and sees them build their power and influence over Birmingham and beyond.

The fifth season ended on a cliffhanger, with Tommy seeing visions of his late wife Grace and turning a gun on himself following his botched assassination attempt of British Union of Fascists leader Oswald Mosely (Sam Claflin) at a rally.

Production on the show was delayed last year by the Covid-19 crisis, but shooting was able to begin last month with cast and crew adhering to strict coronavirus restrictions.

The BBC drama has been running for eight years and has enjoyed huge popularity but the sixth season has been confirmed as the final one, with creator Steven Knight confirming the story will return ‘in another form’.

Steven believes the programme can be extended, possibly as a feature length spin-off, as he said in a statement: ‘Peaky is back and with a bang. After the enforced production delay due to the Covid pandemic, we find the family in extreme jeopardy and the stakes have never been higher.

‘We believe this will be the best series of all and are sure that our amazing fans will love it.

‘While the TV series will be coming to an end, the story will continue in another form.’