Peaky Blinders bosses release incredible fan art after series five air date revealed

There are some seriously talented people out there!

Updated on14th January 2020 at 11.30am

Peaky Blinders fans are ecstatic right now after show bosses announced that the upcoming fifth season would be premiering on BBC One much sooner than anticipated. The official air date for season five of Peaky Blinders is Sunday 25th August at 9pm - meaning that there are only just over two weeks to wait!

To get fans of the show excited - as if we need more excitement! - the BBC have released a series of fan art which they commissioned ahead of season five's air date. After more than 1,000 submissions, they whittled it down to just 16 finalists.

BBC Creative's Emma Brooke commented that the pieces "are all about celebrating and giving recognition to the Peaky Blinders fans," whilst BBC One's Chris Hooper added, "We wanted to harness the power of the existing fandom. Their passion for the show is truly infectious."

Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby ©Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby © BBC Pictures

Finalist Holly Reynolds from Birmingham called her win "surreal," saying, "I entered the competition on a whim and didn't really expect anything to come from it," she explained. "The accents made me feel like I was at home."

Fellow commissioned artist James Mundy from Stoke-on-Trent explained why he'd chosen to make a piece featuring Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, "I created a painting that was moody, a bit dark, but at the same time shows his pride and his willingness to overcome his past."

Sue Verity, from Tamworth, opted for Tommy's brother Arthur Shelby, played by Paul Anderson, for her piece. "He's so vulnerable and yet so masculine; I love his dark and light persona," adding that she was "thrilled" to be commissioned and that it "means such a lot" to her.