Tom Hardy joins BBC2's Peaky Blinders on series 2

It was announced today that BAFTA-winning actor Tom Hardy (Bronson, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises) will join the cast of BBC’s critically acclaimed epic gangster drama PEAKY BLINDERS.

Hardy will feature as a charismatic leader who presents a unique opportunity to Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy).

The move reunites Hardy with his Locke writer and director Steven Knight, who created Peaky Blinders and is writing all six episodes of the second series.

The producers announced the news earlier today to fans of the show via the official PEAKY BLINDERS Twitter and Facebook channels (@ThePeakyBlinder / facebook.com/PeakyBlinders). Fans were quick to express their excitement following the announcement:

Anthony Delaney (@AODhubshlaine) posted on Twitter, “Tom Hardy is joining #PeakyBlinders could this show GET any better?!” whilst Jane Moore (@JaneMoo101) wrote, “top casting, Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy back on the screen together again, so exciting!”

On Facebook Donna Sweeny commented “This is brilliant! It's already a very strong cast but to have Tom Hardy on board as well is fab!”

Series Two of Peaky Blinders starts shooting later this month and will air on BBC Two in autumn 2014. It will see the Shelby family expand their empire as the 1920s begin to roar.