Charlie Heaton, best known for playing Jonathan Byers in Stranger Things, is to star in the forthcoming Peaky Blinders spin-off as Charles Shelby, the son of Cillian Murphy's Tommy Shelby. The first image of Heaton in character has been released, showing the actor in period attire.
The spin-off is set in Birmingham during the 1950s, a decade after the events of the Netflix film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. It will follow a new generation of the Shelby family as they attempt to rebuild their lives after the Second World War. Charles, aged 32, fought in the war and spent a significant period behind enemy lines. As a result of his experiences, he has severed ties with the Shelby gang, including his half-brother Duke.
Jamie Bell will play Duke Shelby, taking over the role from Barry Keoghan, who appeared in the film. Lashana Lynch and Jessica Brown Findlay are also attached to the project, though their roles have not yet been disclosed. Netflix said of Heaton's character: "In the upcoming series, Charles has severed all ties to the Peaky Blinders gang, his half-brother Duke, and the hedonistic Shelby lifestyle. But can you ever escape your own blood?"
Charles first appeared in the original series as a young child, born during Tommy's marriage to Grace, played by Annabelle Wallis. He left the show following Grace's death. The spin-off has already been commissioned for two series, each consisting of six hour-long episodes. It will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Netflix internationally.
The original Peaky Blinders series ran from 2013 to 2022, winning a Bafta for best drama and an NTA for outstanding drama series in 2018. Heaton's casting comes shortly after the conclusion of Stranger Things, in which he played Jonathan Byers. He met his partner Natalia Dyer, who played Nancy Wheeler, on the show; the couple confirmed their relationship in 2017.
