Peaky Blinders stars Paul Anderson and Harry Kirton get into character as they film new scenes

It was business as usual on Monday as filming resumed on the sixth and final series of hit historical crime drama Peaky Blinders. 

With cameras ready to roll, actor Paul Anderson was dressed in character as Arthur Shelby Jr while waiting for his latest scene on location in Manchester’s Castlefield. 

Revealing the distinctive skin fade haircut that has become synonymous with the show, Anderson, 43, amiably chatted to fellow cast-members before snapping back into his role as the no-nonsense gang member.  

Here we go: Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson was dressed in character as Arthur Shelby Jr while waiting for his latest scene on location in Manchester’s Castlefield on Monday 

Co-star Harry Kirton was also on the industrial looking set ahead of his return as Arthur’s brother Finn Shelby – the youngest member of the Shelby family. 

The actor, 22, revealed the same drastically shaved hairstyle while immaculately dressed in a period suit and frock coat.

With the 1930s providing a historical backdrop for the forthcoming series, authentic cars from the period were present, surrounded by dozens of extras. 

In good company: Co-star Harry Kirton was also on set ahead of his return as Arthur’s brother Finn Shelby – the youngest member of the Shelby family

Make way: Anderson took centre stage as cameras started to roll on a set filled with extras in period costume 

Main man: Arthur Shelby will return with his notorious family in the sixth and final series of Peaky Blinders, which as faced delays to filming during the Covid pandemic

The final tweaks were made to the Manchester-based sets in February after the cast had been filming in Scotland.

The sets, however, are portraying Birmingham, the actual setting of the hit gangster drama.

Peaky Blinders centres around its eponymous gang which is run by the ruthless Tommy Shelby [Cillian Murphy] and his family, and sees them build their power and influence over Birmingham and beyond.

Part of the furniture: Anderson has played Arthur Shelby throughout the show’s six series run, and was seen pulling on his character’s dress coat (right) as he prepared for a scene

Traffic: With the 1930s providing a historical backdrop for the forthcoming series, authentic cars from the period were present on set 

Hot to trot: A horse was seen idling on set with a period dressed extra on Monday 

The fifth season ended on a cliffhanger, with Tommy seeing visions of his late wife Grace and turning a gun on himself following his botched assassination attempt of British Union of Fascists leader Oswald Mosely (Sam Claflin) at a rally.

Production on the show was delayed last year by the Covid-19 crisis, but shooting was able to begin last month with cast and crew adhering to strict coronavirus restrictions.

The BBC drama has been running for eight years and has enjoyed huge popularity but the sixth season has been confirmed as the final one, with creator Steven Knight confirming the story will return ‘in another form’.

Get ready: Various members of the production team were seen preparing the set, which doubled for a street in industrial 1930s Birmingham 

Welcome back: Production on the show was delayed last year by the Covid-19 crisis, but shooting was able to begin last month with cast and crew adhering to strict coronavirus restrictions

Coming to an end: The BBC drama has been running for eight years and has enjoyed huge popularity but the sixth season has been confirmed as the final one

Steven believes the programme can be extended, possibly as a feature length spin-off, as he said in a statement: ‘Peaky is back and with a bang. After the enforced production delay due to the Covid pandemic, we find the family in extreme jeopardy and the stakes have never been higher.

‘We believe this will be the best series of all and are sure that our amazing fans will love it.

‘While the TV series will be coming to an end, the story will continue in another form.’

Exciting: ‘We believe this will be the best series of all and are sure that our amazing fans will love it,’ said show creator Steven Knight