Peaky Blinders

Sam Claflin and Anya Taylor-Joy join Peaky Blinders

Sam Claflin, Anya Taylor-Joy and Brian Gleeson (Credit: BBC)

Series five, which began filming in Manchester last month, sees the devastating effects of the 1929 financial crash. Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, is now a Labour MP and takes on the responsibility of not just his family, but the electorate as well.

Other new cast members to debut in the Bafta award-winning drama are Brian Gleeson, Elliot Cowan, Charlene McKenna, Andrew Koji, Daryl McCormack, Kate Dickie and Emmet J Scanlan.

Jack Rowan: I hit the jackpot with Peaky Blinders

Yet playing a villain in his first leading role was perfect for the 21-year-old newcomer. “I love it because it’s so far removed from who you really are,” he tells the RTS.

His chilling portrayal of teenage psychopath Sam Woodford secured Rowan a nomination for an acting award at this year's RTS Programme Awards alongside “two kings” Stephen Graham and Sean Bean.

“Even to be in the same sentence [as them] is beyond me, I’m just kind of pinching myself.”

Albert: making media in a sustainable future

This was the “win-win” message that Aaron Matthews – project manager at Albert, television’s sustainability initiative – brought to an RTS London meeting at the end of March.

Matthews explained that Albert certification – demonstrated by a logo displayed on a programme’s end credits – is proof that a “production has implemented sustainability best practice”.

Peaky Blinders and Riviera Cinematographers stress the importance of lighting

Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders (Credit: BBC)

Lighting is key to camera work, says cinematographer Laurie Rose. It’s essential to establishing a look or mood for a scene. “The important thing is to tell a story and create mood using light,” he explains. 

Between them Laurie and cinematographer Matt Gray have credits on shows as varied as Peaky BlindersBroadchurch and Riviera

Adrien Brody joins the cast of Peaky Blinders

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. 

ITV commissions new political drama from Homeland writer

Fearless is a contemporary thriller about Emma Blunt, a solicitor with a reputation for defending lost causes. Starring Peaky Blinders actor Helen McCrory in the lead role, the show is described as "in the crash zone where law and politics collide.”

"The so-called War on Terror has put serious stress on the ordinary workings of the law. National security justifies all sorts of police and state over-reach – and the great majority of us are prepared to accept this," said Harbinson, who was a soldier before turning his hand to writing TV dramas.

BBC commissions Barbara Windsor biopic

Eastenders star Barbara Windsor (Credit: BBC/Nicky Johnston)

Set in the 1990s, Babs sees Windsor preparing to perform in the theatre that evening, where she talks us on a journey of the events and people that shaped her career, from her lonely childhood and complicated relationship with her father, to capturing the attention of Joan Littlewood and being cast in the Carry On films.