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.

"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.

"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."

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."