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Peaky Blinders reveals first look at Stranger Things star as major returning Shelby character in sequel series
The mystery around who Charlie Heaton is playing has finally been answered.
BBC/Garrison Drama Limited/Robert Viglasky
- Tilly Pearce
Published: Friday, 22 May 2026 at 3:00 pm
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Charlie Heaton's mysterious character in the upcoming Peaky Blinders TV sequel has been confirmed.
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The Stranger Things actor was one of many new cast members announced for the upcoming revival of the gangster series, joining Jamie Bell who is taking over from Barry Keoghan to play Duke Shelby, the new leader of the Blinders.
It's now been confirmed Heaton will be playing Charles Shelby, the oldest son of legendary former Peaky Blinders leader Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy).
In the official photo above, Charles is seen in an ornate room, dressed in a suit and tie, with people sitting around a long table in the background.
According to the release by the BBC, Charles has cut off all ties to the remaining Shelbys, his brother Duke, and the Blinders in order to live a normal life.
Jamie Bell as Duke Shelby in Peaky Blinders sequel series. BBC/Garrison Drama Limited/Ben Blackall
However, the release teases "can you ever escape your blood?" and notes the battle to rebuild Birmingham during the 1950s has "become a brutal contest of mythical dimensions".
Previous releases confirmed the Blinders throw their flatcaps in the ring to be part of Birmingham's reconstruction project, so will Charles be doing the same?
Charles was seen as a young child during the initial series run, and was born during Tommy's marriage to his true love, Grace (Annabelle Wallis).
However, after Grace's death, Charles was seen heading off to London with Tommy's second wife Lizzie (Natasha O'Keeffe) in order to get away from Birmingham's criminal underworld.
Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers and Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things season 5. Netflix
Tommy allowed him to make the decision for himself, with the pre-teen declaring Lizzie was "more a mother to him than he was a father".
During film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, it was confirmed Charles was on the front lines in Africa to serve during World War II – and warning, there are big spoilers ahead if you haven't seen the film.
He was only seen fleetingly on-screen, joining Duke and the last remaining members of the Blinders at Tommy's funeral.
The non-speaking role was played in the film by Alfie Thomas Bland, and showed Charles in army uniform.
Peaky Blinders is set to return in 2027.
Peaky Blinders seasons 1-6 are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man, is streaming now on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
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Authors
Tilly PearceFreelance Writer
Tilly Pearce is a freelance TV journalist whose coverage ranges from reality shows like Love Is Blind to sci-fi shows like Fallout. She is an NCTJ Gold Standard accredited journalist, who has previously worked as Deputy TV Editor (maternity cover) at Digital Spy, and Deputy TV & Showbiz Editor at Daily Express US.
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