Cillian Murphy drama Peaky Blinders to debut at Edinburgh International Film Festival

Created by Steven Knight the epic gangster drama Peaky Blinders is to have its first two episodes screened as part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival next month.

As well as episodes 1 and 2 of the 6 part series premieres at the Film Festival members of the cast will also be in attendance, along with creator Steven Knight and director Otto Bathurst.

Cillian Murphy is Thomas Shelby, leader of the most feared and powerful local gang, the Peaky Blinders. Named for their practise of sewing razor blades into the peaks of their caps, they make money from illegal betting, protection and the black market. But when a crate of guns goes missing from an arms factory, their battle-hardened leader recognises an opportunity to move up in the world.

With Sam Neill, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Charlie Creed-Miles, Iddo Goldberg, Annabelle Wallis, Joe Cole, Sophie Rundle, and acclaimed poet Benjamin Zephaniah completing the stellar cast, Peaky Blinders is set to bring a fresh new cinematic world to the small screen.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival premiere on Tuesday 25th June, the six episodes are to air on BBC Two this autumn.