The fourth series begins with Thomas Shelby's realisation that the Peaky Blinders are in danger of annihilation after he receives a mysterious letter on Christmas Eve.

With the threat of the enemy closing in on him, Shelby deserts his country house and high society lifestyle and returns to the streets of Small Heath, Birmingham, where he must fight for survival. 

The criminal drama, based in Birmingham during the aftermath of the First World War, will see Adrien Brody join Cillian Murphy (Inception, Free Fire) as he reprises his role as Thomas Shelby, head of the Peaky Blinders gang, alongside Tom Hardy as Jewish gang leader Alfie Solomons.

“It’s fantastic to have Adrien join our team. He genuinely was the actor in my head when I wrote the part," said Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders. "I’m sure he will be a formidable presence in the world of the Peaky Blinders.”

Series regulars Natasha O’Keefe (Sherlock: The Abominable Bride), Packy Lee (The Frankenstein Chronicles), Helen McCrory (Skyfall), Paul Anderson (The Revenant), Joe Cole (Green Room), Sophie Rundle (Jamestown), Finn Cole (Animal Kingdom), Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Detectorists), and Kate Phillips (The Crown) will return for the fourth series of the gangster drama. 

Piers Wenger, Controller BBC Drama, said, “Adrien Brody is a world-class actor famous for producing mesmerising performances. I cannot wait to see him in action alongside the rest of Peaky Blinders' superb cast, bringing Steven Knight's extraordinary writing to life on BBC Two.”

The fourth series will be directed by David Caffrey (Line Of Duty) and will be produced by Joe Donaldson (Ripper Street).