Speculation has been rife across Birmingham this past week, with whispers suggesting that the city's most infamous fictional crime family might have been making a dramatic return to familiar territory. The Shelbys, the hard-knock clan from the acclaimed BBC series Peaky Blinders and its upcoming cinematic continuation, were rumoured to be spending time at the atmospheric Birmingham Magistrates Court.
A Heritage Building Steeped in Drama
The Grade I-listed building on Corporation Street is one of Birmingham's most visually striking landmarks. Constructed from Victorian red brick and terracotta, its imposing facade commands attention. The interior is equally grand, with a main foyer featuring high stone walls and a vaulted, cathedral-like ceiling. This heritage courtroom, with its wooden benches and lofty ceilings evoking the Birmingham of old, remains in use today and has previously served as a filming location, notably for early seasons of the police drama Line of Duty.
Filming Rumours and Reality
Discussions swirled within the Victoria Law Courts that individuals associated with the Peaky Blinders production had been spotted inside the historic building. Reports also mentioned people outside the structure, seemingly scoping out its impressive frontage. Given the building's architectural splendour, it is a location that naturally draws the eye of visitors and filmmakers alike.
However, these rumours are cast into doubt by the known production schedule. Much of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man was indeed filmed in Birmingham, centred around writer Steven Knight's Digbeth Loc Studios. Official reports confirm that principal photography wrapped back in December, ahead of the film's theatrical release on March 6 and its subsequent addition to Netflix on March 20. This timeline makes it unlikely that new filming was taking place recently, suggesting the sightings may have been hearsay or related to other activities.
A Fitting Backdrop for a Post-War Tale
The new film is set during the Second World War, making the period-appropriate architecture of the Magistrates Court a theoretically perfect backdrop for a story about 1940s criminals. Its grandeur and historical weight could provide an authentic setting for the Shelbys' next chapter.
While these specific court rumours may be unsubstantiated, they highlight the excitement surrounding the film's local connections. Birmingham residents will soon get to see which of their city's locations make it to the big and small screen when the film premieres next month. The production has previously sparked sightings of actor Cillian Murphy, who portrays Tommy Shelby, in various Birmingham neighbourhoods during filming.
