This Town FIRST LOOK: Skinheads brawl on the set of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s

Actors in period costumes were spotted on the set of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s new drama as filming began in Birmingham on Thursday. 

The new BBC show This Town is an exploration of the popular ska scene that exploded in Birmingham during the late 1970s and early ’80s. 

Filming saw a whole host of extras dressed as Skinheads brawling outside a pub during the dramatic night shoot.

Earlier in the day young actors Jordan Bolger, Shyvonne Ahmmad and Ben Rose could all be seen chatting between scenes.

The graphic scenes saw Jordan’s character stamping on another character during the violent incident.  

Fight! Actors were spotted in period costumes on the set of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s new drama in West Bromwich on Thursday

The offical synopsis reads: ‘This Town tells the story of an extended family and four young people who are drawn into the world of ska and two-tone music, which exploded from the grass roots of in the late ’70s and early ’80s, uniting black, white and Asian youths.’

Birmingham’s booming post-war economy made it the main area alongside London for the settlement of West Indian immigrants.  

With black music and black audiences often excluded from mainstream clubs in Birmingham City Centre, the distinctive West Indian culture of blues and Ska emerged.

Knight, arguably responsible for keeping hipster barbers in steady employment thanks to the skin-fade haircut favoured by Cillian Murphy and his band of criminally minded brothers, sent out a cast call for shaven headed extras last month. 

Agency Mad Dog Casting, who posted the ad, stipulates young actors with closely cropped hair – a popular look among ska fans of the period – with a flat fee of £10 offered to anyone willing to travel.

Skinheads and people with shaved heads are wanted for an upcoming BBC series, This Town (by the creators of Peaky Blinders),’ it reads. 

‘In and around West Bromwich. Must have good availability from now until the end of February.’ 

Speaking in 2022, Knight – who grew up in Walsall, West Midlands – described his forthcoming series as a passion project.

In character: Earlier in the day young actors Jordan Bolger, Shyvonne Ahmmad and Ben Rose could all be seen chatting between scenes  (Eve Austin and Jordan Bolger pictured) 

Drama: Filming saw a whole host of extras dressed as Skinheads brawling outside a pub during the dramatic night shoot

Moving on: The show exploration of the popular ska scene that exploded in Birmingham during the late 1970s and early ’80s (pictured: local two-tone band The Specials in 1980)

‘This is a project very close to my heart, he told the BBC. ‘It’s about an era I lived through and know well and it involves characters who I feel I grew up with. 

‘It’s a love letter to Birmingham and Coventry but I hope people from all over the world will relate to it.’ 

Relative unknowns Levi Brown, Jordan Bolger, Ben Rose and Eve Austin have been cast in lead roles, while Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery will also feature.   

Graphic: The graphic scenes saw Jordan’s character stamping on another character during the violent incident

Fight fight! Much of the area had be cornered off as the scene was filmed

Period: Jordan donned a suede aviator jacket which he teamed with period appropriate turn ups 

Extras: A hole host of extras donned skinhead attire – after a call out was made 

Nicholas Pinnock, best known for his role in Marcella and David Dawson of My Policeman have also won roles in the new series. 

An air-date is yet to be confirmed. 

Also it was revealed recently that  plans for a huge Peaky Blinders theme park are said to be in the works. 

The hit BBC show has put Birmingham on the map – and now tourism chiefs are said to be keen to cash in on the success.

Set in the city, the period crime drama follows the exploits of the Peaky Blinders crime gang in the direct aftermath of the First World War. 

High spirits: The main stars appeared in high spirits between takes 

Wrapping up: Many of actors wrapped up warm in padded coats between scenes 

The fictional gang, led by the ruthless Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), is loosely based on a real urban youth gang were active in the city from the 1880s to the 1910s.

With six series and a movie now under way, Birmingham tourism bosses are said to be hatching a plan to capitalise on the show. 

Neil Rami, Chief Executive, West Midlands Growth Company, told MailOnline: ‘As the tourism body for the West Midlands, we have witnessed at first hand just how much of a global phenomenon Peaky Blinders has become, putting our region on the map with domestic and international visitors.

‘Following the positive impact of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, we are keen to keep the spotlight firmly on the area by exploring the feasibility of something more permanent to capitalise on the positive momentum of the ‘Peaky effect’  with visitors.’ 

Casting: Skinheads and people with shaved heads are wanted for an upcoming BBC series, This Town (by the creators of Peaky Blinders),’ it reads.

Extras: ‘In and around West Bromwich. Must have good availability from now until the end of February. 

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, added: ‘Birmingham is central to the Peaky Blinders story, with the city and Black Country’s streets relayed to millions of homes in the UK and across the world.  

‘Beyond Peaky Blinders’ popularity, the appeal of Birmingham as a prime location for leading national and international filmmakers has grown, with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise recently calling the city home for filming projects.’

Meanwhile a TV insider said: ‘This may sound like a crazy idea but Peaky Blinders was such a phenomenon and it’s reaped huge rewards for Britain.

‘Although the show was ultra- violent, it also showcased our industrial past, not to mention a whole new wave of fashion and haircuts.

‘So it’s actually a no-brainer for tourism chiefs keen to get the maximum draw and make the most of a TV show that was an international hit,’ the source told The Sun. 

It comes as the cast will take the show to the big screen in a new movie, which is in the works. 

Vintage: Vintage cars were brought on set as well as some buildings were made over to be more suitable to the time period

In October last year, Cillian offered fans an update on the film.

Speaking to Today FM, the actor revealed the script was ‘close’ to being ready.

He said: ‘I’ve still not read it [the script] but that’s the plan, the plan is to make a film and to continue the story but in the cinematic world rather than on the television.

‘The television part of the story is finished. If there’s more stories to tell, I’m there I just haven’t read it yet but it’s close apparently.’

Love letter: Speaking in 2022, Knight – who grew up in Walsall, West Midlands – described his forthcoming series as a passion project

The film is expected to pick up where the show’s sixth and final season ended.

The previous month, the show’s creator Steven Knight suggested there may be another TV series following the release of the film.

Steven revealed that he will be handing over the reins to a new a team, who will look at producing the Birmingham-based gangster series set in the 1950s.

He told the BBC: ‘I think after the film, we will look at [it]. It would be me sort of launching possible new stories into the ’50s, and then I would hand over the baton of writing and creating the thing to other people.

He added: ‘But if there is an appetite for the world then it will continue.’

Exciting: Plans for a huge Peaky Blinders theme park are said to be in the works (pictured Cillian Murphy as gang leader Tommy Shelby)