4The creator of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, has been honoured with a West Midlands Metro tram bearing his name, unveiled in Birmingham ahead of the world premiere of the franchise’s new feature film.
Crowds gathered in Centenary Square as Knight revealed the newly branded tram, which features an iconic image of Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby alongside the slogan “Home of the Peaky Blinders.” The design celebrates the show’s deep ties to Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, where the story is set and where Knight was born and raised. His name will remain permanently displayed on the front of tram 58 as it travels across the Metro network.
The unveiling took place outside Symphony Hall, the venue hosting the premiere of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. The film brings the global television phenomenon to the big screen, with Murphy joined by a cast including Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth under the direction of Tom Harper.
Knight said he was “deeply proud” to receive the honour in the city that inspired his storytelling, particularly on a day when international attention was focused on Birmingham. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the region’s cultural and creative growth, notably through his Digbeth Loc Studios development.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker praised Knight for putting Birmingham “back on the world stage” and highlighted ambitions to make the region a leading UK hub for film and television production. The Metro expansion will soon see the tram pass the Black Country Living Museum, a key filming location for the series, as well as the Eastside extension near Knight’s studio complex.
Knight joins other celebrated West Midlands figures, including Ozzy Osbourne and Jasper Carrott, in receiving the honour of a named tram — a fitting tribute to a storyteller whose work has reshaped the global image of his home city.
