Peaky Blinders reveals first look at Stranger Things star as major returning Shelby character in sequel series

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Charlie Heaton’s mysterious character in the upcoming Peaky Blinders TV sequel has been confirmed.

The actor, known for their role in Stranger Things, is joining the cast of the revived gangster series. They’ll be working alongside Jamie Bell, who is now playing Duke Shelby – the head of the Blinders, previously played by Barry Keoghan.

Heaton will officially play Charles Shelby, the eldest son of Tommy Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy), the famous leader of the Peaky Blinders.

The official photo shows Charles wearing a suit and tie in a decorated room. People are seated around a long table behind him.

The BBC reports that Charles has completely separated himself from his family, including his brother Duke and the Shelbys, as he seeks a more ordinary life.

I’m really intrigued by the new film! The trailer asks this fascinating question – can we ever truly outrun our family history? – and it seems the story is set against the backdrop of Birmingham’s rebuilding after the war, but it’s not just a historical drama. They’re hinting at something much bigger, a really intense struggle that’s almost…mythological. It sounds amazing!

Past announcements showed the Peaky Blinders contributing to Birmingham’s rebuilding efforts. Will Charles follow suit and get involved?

Throughout the first seasons of the show, Charles appeared as a young boy. He was born while Tommy Shelby was married to the love of his life, Grace (played by Annabelle Wallis).

Following Grace’s death, Charles left Birmingham with Tommy’s wife, Lizzie, hoping to escape the dangerous criminal life there and start fresh in London.

Tommy let him decide on his own, and the boy explained that Lizzie felt more like a mother to him than his father did.

The movie Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man revealed that Charles fought in Africa during World War II. Be careful, though – the following contains major spoilers if you haven’t watched it!

He appeared briefly on screen, seen among Duke and the few remaining Peaky Blinders at Tommy’s funeral.

Alfie Thomas Bland portrayed Charles in the film, appearing as him in army uniform without any lines.

Peaky Blinders is set to return in 2027.

Authors

Tilly PearceFreelance Writer

Tilly Pearce is a TV journalist who writes about a wide variety of shows, from reality TV like Love Is Blind to science fiction series like Fallout. She’s a highly qualified journalist, holding NCTJ Gold Standard accreditation, and has experience working at Digital Spy and Daily Express US, where she served as a deputy editor.

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2026-05-22 17:41