The hotly anticipated fifth series of Peaky Blinders is returning to BBC One later this year, but for fans who can’t wait that long, BBC Birmingham and BBC One are hosting an exclusive world premiere in Birmingham

On 18 July fans can come and watch the first episode before anyone else at Birmingham Town Hall, and get a chance to see their show favourites with a spectacular red carpet event. They’ll then be able to put their questions to the cast and creators with a special question and answer panel straight after the first episode.

Cast members returning to the acclaimed Bafta award-winning drama series include Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, Finn Cole, Kate Phillips, Natasha O’Keeffe, Aidan Gillen, Jack Rowan, Charlie Murphy, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Harry Kirton, Packy Lee, Ned Dennehy, Ian Peck and Benjamin Zephaniah.

They are joined by new cast members Sam Claflin (The Nightingale, Adrift, Journey’s End), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Miniaturist, Split, The Witch), Brian Gleeson (Phantom Thread, Logan Lucky), Neil Maskell (Happy New Year, Colin Burstead, In Darkness), Kate Dickie (The Cry, The Witch), Cosmo Jarvis (Calm With Horses, Lady Macbeth) and Emmett J Scanlan (Butterfly, Safe), Elliot Cowan (The Spanish Princess, Krypton), Charlene McKenna (Ripper Street, Pure Mule), Andrew Koji (Warrior, The Innocence) and Daryl McCormack (A Very English Scandal, The Lieutenant Of Inishmore - Noel Coward Theatre) for the fifth series.

Creator Steven Knight, says: “Birmingham is of course my first choice for the world premiere, the cast and crew love it here. Birmingham is the epicentre for the show and it means so much to me to come back here year after year and start the series with a bang.

“This year we’re at the Town Hall, which is a great venue, with more fans than ever before able to see the programme. I can’t wait to see everyone’s reactions on the night.”

Joe Godwin, Director of BBC Midlands, says: “BBC Birmingham is so excited to be hosting the world premiere of Peaky Blinders - it’s a real fan favourite across the Midlands. It’s a brilliant event and screening which showcases one of the most popular Drama series on the BBC ever right here in the heart of Birmingham!”

The ticket ballot goes live on 4 July via the BBC Shows and Tours website.

Series five finds the world thrown into turmoil by the financial crash of 1929. Opportunity and misfortune are everywhere. When Tommy Shelby MP (Cillian Murphy) is approached by a charismatic politician with a bold vision for Britain, he realises that his response will affect not just his family’s future but that of the entire nation.

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, said: "Peaky Blinders is a truly iconic BBC drama and I cannot wait for viewers to see what Steven has in store when the cast, led by the mesmerising Cillian Murphy, return for series five in its new home on BBC One.”

Peaky Blinders is produced by Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect Drama for BBC One; executive produced by Caryn Mandabach, Steven Knight, Jamie Glazebrook, David Mason, Cillian Murphy, for Tiger Aspect Drama, Patrick Spence, and for the BBC, Tommy Bulfin.

The show is represented internationally by Endemol Shine International, has sold across 183 countries and airs widely on Netflix internationally including the USA.

The fifth series is directed by Anthony Byrne (In Darkness, Butterfly, Ripper Street) and produced by Annie Harrison-Baxter (Marcella, In The Flesh, The Secret Of Crickley Hall).