Actors in period costume were spotted on the set of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s new drama as filming began in Birmingham on Thursday.
New BBC show This Town is an exploration of the popular ska scene that exploded in Birmingham in the late 1970s and early 80s.
Filming saw a slew of extras dressed as skinheads fighting outside a pub during the dramatic night shoot.
Earlier in the day, young actors Jordan Bolger, Shyvonne Ahmmad and Ben Rose were seen chatting between scenes.
The graphic scenes saw Jordan’s character stomping on another character during the violent incident.
Dispute! Actors were spotted in period costume on the set of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s new drama on Thursday in West Bromwich
The official synopsis reads: “This Town tells the story of an extended family and four young people who are drawn into the world of ska and two-tone music that exploded from the grassroots in the late ’70s and early ’80s. to unite black, white and Asian youth.’
Birmingham’s booming post-war economy made it the main area for settlement of West Indian immigrants alongside London.
With black music and black audiences often excluded from mainstream Birmingham city center clubs, the distinctive West Indian culture of blues and ska emerged.
Knight, who is arguably responsible for keeping hipster hairstylists in permanent employment thanks to the nude haircut favored by Cillian Murphy and his gang of crime-minded brothers, sent out a cast call for shaved extras last month.
Mad Dog Casting agency, which ran the ad, is charging young actors with cropped hair – a popular look among ska fans of the time – a flat fee of £10 for anyone willing to travel.
Skinheads and people with shaved heads are wanted for an upcoming BBC series, This Town (from the creators of Peaky Blinders),” it said.
‘In and around West Bromwich. Must be readily available from now until the end of February.’
In 2022, Knight, who grew up in Walsall, West Midlands, described his upcoming series as a passion project.
In character: Earlier in the day, young actors Jordan Bolger, Shyvonne Ahmmad and Ben Rose were seen chatting between scenes (Eve Austin and Jordan Bolger pictured).
Drama: Filming saw a number of extras dressed as skinheads fight outside a pub during the dramatic night shoot
Moving on: The show’s exploration of the popular ska scene that exploded in Birmingham in the late 1970s and early 80s (pictured: local two-tone band The Specials in 1980)
“This is a project that is very close to my heart,” he told the BBC. “It’s about an era I lived through that I know well, and it’s about characters I think I grew up with.
“It’s a love letter to Birmingham and Coventry, but I hope people around the world can relate to it.”
Relatively unknowns Levi Brown, Jordan Bolger, Ben Rose and Eve Austin have been cast in leading roles, while Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery will also star.
Graphics: In the graphic scenes, Jordan’s character kicked another character during the violent incident
fight! fight! Much of the area had been cordoned off during filming
Period: Jordan donned a suede flight jacket, which he paired with contemporary cuffs
Extras: A whole army of extras in skinhead clothes – after a call was made
Nicholas Pinnock, best known for his role in Marcella, and My Policeman’s David Dawson have also landed roles in the new series.
A broadcast date has yet to be confirmed.
Also, it was recently revealed that plans for a massive Peaky Blinders theme park are said to be in the works.
The hit BBC show put Birmingham on the map – and now tourism bosses are said to be dying to capitalize on the success.
The historical crime drama takes place in the city and follows the exploits of the crime gang Peaky Blinders right after the First World War.
Exuberant mood: The main actors were in an exuberant mood between takes
Wrap up: Many actors wrapped themselves warmly in padded coats between scenes
The fictional gang, led by the ruthless Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), is loosely based on a real-life urban youth gang active in the city from the 1880s to the 1910s.
With six series and a film currently underway, Birmingham’s tourism bosses are said to be hatching a plan to capitalize on the show.
West Midlands Growth Company Chief Executive Neil Rami told Web: “As the tourism organization for the West Midlands, we have seen first hand how much of a global phenomenon Peaky Blinders has become, putting our region inland on the map has brought and international visitors.
“Following the positive impact of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, we are keen to keep the spotlight firmly on the area by exploring the feasibility of something more permanent to capitalize on the positive momentum of the ‘peaky effect’ among visitors. ”
Casting: Skinheads and people with shaved heads are wanted for an upcoming BBC series, This Town (from the creators of Peaky Blinders),” it said.
Extras: “In and around West Bromwich. Must have good availability from now until the end of February.
Councilor Ian Ward, Chairman of Birmingham City Council, added: “Birmingham is central to the Peaky Blinders story as the city and streets of the Black Country are passed down to millions of homes in the UK and around the world.
In addition to the popularity of Peaky Blinders, Birmingham’s appeal as a prime location for leading national and international filmmakers has increased, with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise recently calling the city home for filming projects.
Meanwhile, a TV insider said: “It might sound like a crazy idea but Peaky Blinders was such a phenomenon and it has reaped great rewards for the UK.
“Although the show was extremely violent, it also showcased our industrial past, not to mention a whole new wave of fashion and haircuts.
“So it’s actually a no-brainer for tourism bosses who want to get the maximum draw and make the most of a TV show that has been an international hit,” the source told The Sun.
It comes as the cast are set to take the show to the big screen in a new movie that’s in the works.
Vintage: Vintage cars were brought to the set and some buildings were remodeled to better suit the times
In October last year, Cillian offered fans an update on the film.
Speaking to Today FM, the actor revealed the script is “almost” finished.
He said: “I still haven’t read it [the script] But that’s the plan, the plan is to make a movie and continue the story, but in the movie world rather than on TV.
“The TV part of the story is done. If there are any more stories to tell I’ll be there, I just haven’t read it yet but it seems it’s close.
Love Letter: In 2022, Knight, who grew up in Walsall, West Midlands, described his upcoming series as a passion project
The film aims to pick up where the sixth and final season of the series left off.
Last month, the show’s creator Steven Knight suggested there could be another TV series after the film’s release.
Steven announced that he will be handing over the reins to a new team who will take care of the production of the Birmingham-based gangster series set in the 1950s.
He told the BBC: “I think after the film we’ll look at that [it]. I would sort of bring possible new stories into the 50’s, and then I would hand the baton of writing and creating to other people.
He added: “But if there’s an appetite for the world, it will go on.”
Exciting: Plans for a massive Peaky Blinders theme park are said to be in the works (pictured Cillian Murphy as gang leader Tommy Shelby)