This Town: Cast announced for new BBC drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight

The BBC has announced a brand new drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

Academy Award-nominee and Bafta Award-winning writer Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, SAS Rogue Heroes, Great Expectations) has created and written the six-part series for BBC One and iPlayer.

Titled This Town, a teaser shares: “It tells the story of an extended family and four young people who are drawn into the world of ska and two tone music, which grew from the grass roots of Coventry and Birmingham in the late 70s and early 80s.

“The music united black, white and Asian youths in an expression of unity.”

Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey, Anatomy of a Scandal), Nicholas Pinnock (Life, Marcella) and David Dawson (My Policeman, The Last Kingdom) will be among the cast.

They’ll be joined by Levi Brown (Loss and Return), Jordan Bolger (The Woman King, The Book of Boba Fett), Ben Rose (Line of Duty, The Innocents) and Eve Austin (You, Our Ladies) as its four young leads.

Geraldine James (Back To Life, Anne with an E), Peter McDonald (The Batman, Dublin Murders), Freya Parks (The School of Good and Evil, Here We Go), Shyvonne Ahmmad (Annika, Karen Pirie), John Heffernan (Dracula, The Pursuit of Love), Stefan Asante-Boateng (Coronation Street, Suffering), Séainín Brennan (The Fall, Hidden), George Somner (This Is Going To Hurt, Sex Education) and Brendan Gibson (Peaky Blinders, Mr Selfridge) will also feature in the series.

Steven Knight said: “This is a project that’s literally very close to home and I’m developing characters and themes that are set in the early 80s but hopefully are very contemporary.

“Of course, the soundtrack will be sensational.”

Ben Irving, Acting Director of BBC Drama added: “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.”

A release date for the drama is to be announced.