Cillian Murphy in a scene from season 5 of Peaky Blinders.

With production on the series delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, fans are waiting in anticipation for new episodes of the hit BBC drama.

“There’s a great female character who is new, who is pretty dark,” Byrne told Digital Spy. “I haven’t seen a character like her in Peaky before. I won’t say who she is, but she certainly gives Tommy [Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy] a run for his money. She challenges him in a different way.”

Charlotte Riley and Cillian Murphy from a scene in Peaky Blinders.

He added that the new character is similar to Oswald Mosley, the founder of the British Union of Fascists who was played by Sam Claflin in season five.

“She has a similar ideology,” said Byre, “and that’s challenging for any character, like I’ve said before… they don’t have guns or a gang, but they have an ideology that’s like a virus and it’s more dangerous than anything. She’s a great character and we’re really close to casting her, as well.”

The new series is expected to resume production in the next few months.

Earlier this month, series creator Steven Knight revealed which character he regrets killing off the most.

The Independent