Emmett J. Scanlan promises 'strong' return for Peaky Blinders

Emmett J. Scanlan has promised the next series of \'Peaky Blinders\' will be "so f****** strong".

The 41-year-old actor - who plays Billy Grade on the BBC\'s period drama - has opened up on what to expect from the highly anticipated sixth season.

He told Digital Spy: "We won at the NTAs this year, just before lockdown, and myself and [show creator] Steven [Knight] spoke about what\'s to come very briefly.

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"I\'ve read all the scripts since then, which of course are all subject to change. But they\'re so f****** strong. It won\'t disappoint, I promise you. Steven is a master."

The showrunner period the gangster drama - which stars Cillian Murphy as crime boss Tommy Shelby - admitted having to delay production earlier this year due to the ongoing health crisis has had an impact on the scripts, but fans shouldn\'t be concerned.

Steven recently said: "I always say this, but I think this will be the best series yet.

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"We\'ve had to change a few things because of actors\' schedules. I\'ve been through the scripts, so some things have developed and changed, I think, for the better."

There could be more changes as schedules evolve, and as it stands there still isn\'t a confirmed date to resume filming on the upcoming run.

However, he added: "Obviously the main concern is for everybody\'s safety. Once we\'re certain we can make the show and keep everybody safe, we\'ll start."

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Director Anthony Byrne previously opened up on the sixth season and teased the introduction of a "pretty dark" female character set to challenge Tommy.

He said: "There\'s a great female character who is new, who is pretty dark. I haven\'t seen a character like her in \'Peaky\' before.

"I won\'t say who she is, but she certainly gives Tommy a run for his money. She challenges him in a different way basically. She\'s certainly not a protagonist and I don\'t know if she\'s an antagonist."