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Downton Abbey star leads Peaky Blinders boss' new series

Downton Abbey star leads Peaky Blinders boss' new series

Downton Abbey actress Michelle Dockery has landed the main role in This Town, the new series from Peaky Blinders boss Steven Knight.

Previously titled Two Tone, this six-parter is currently shooting in Knight's beloved Birmingham, with David Dawson (My Policeman) and Nicholas Pinnock (Top Boy) also in the cast, according to Deadline.

The action follows an extended family and four youngsters exploring the world of ska and two-tone music, which broke out of Coventry and Birmingham back in the 1970/80s and connected black, white and Asian communities.

michelle dockery is a young woman wearing a black turtle neck sweater, black suit jacket and black leggings with a gold chain, she is smiling at the camera with her short brown hair in a wavy bob
Slaven Vlasic - Getty Images

The BBC reports that Universal Music Group's Mercury Studios is co-producing and is set to bring "an exciting range of high-profile musical artists to help lay the backdrop for Knight's incredible story".

Famous ska bands emerging from this era include The Specials and Madness, so don't be surprised if their tunes pop up at some stage.

Addressing his latest TV venture, SAS: Rogue Heroes writer Knight previously shared in a statement: "This is a project very close to my heart. 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."

masterchef, john torode, gregg wallace
Gareth Cattermole - Getty Images

Ben Irving, acting director of BBC Drama, teased: "Steven has taken his knowledge of this time and place and used it to weave a brilliantly original and characterful drama, set against the musical backdrop of ska and two-tone. We are thrilled to be able to bring this unique piece to viewers on the BBC."

Executive producer Karen Wilson also went on to say: "Steven's passion for this project is palpable so I couldn't be more excited to be making it for BBC One. Set in the West Midlands, against a moment of real cultural and historical progression, it will be compelling, diverse, and will have a rocking soundtrack to boot."

Peaky Blinders is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and Netflix.

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