Lady Jessica (or, if you prefer, Ilsa Faust), meet Tommy Shelby. Deadline reports Rebecca Ferguson has officially joined the cast of Netflix‘s upcoming “Peaky Blinders” movie. The “Dune” and “Mission: Impossible” actress will star alongside Cillian Murphy in the long-awaited film, which, with any luck, will start filming later this year.  No word on Ferguson will play, but, let’s get real: it’s Rebecca Ferguson, she’s going to have a major role.
READ MORE: Steve Knight Says The ‘Peaky Blinders’ Film Is “Ending This Chapter” With Much “Bigger” Budget
But outside of Murphy’s return as Birmingham gangster patriarch Tommy Shelby, much about the “Peaky Blinders” movie remains under wraps. The biggest thing so far?  The film will take place during WW II; a bit of a time jump from the series.  After months of teases by series creator Steven Knight, he finally confirmed the film starts shooting in September.  Tom Harper will direct a script by Knight, with Caryn Mandabach, Knight, Murphy, and Guy Heeley producing. Executive producers on the film include Harper, David Kosse, Jamie Glazebrook, Andrew Warren, and David Mason. “Peaky Blinders” will be made in association with BBC Film.
“Peaky Blinders” is another major onscreen role for Ferguson, an actress in the high-point of an illustrious career.  She’s fresh of Denis Villeneuve‘s “Dune: Part Two,” a film that did so well earlier this year a third film is assured (and may even be imminent). She also starred in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” last summer, which served as a bittersweet farewell to her MI-6 agent Ilsa Faust. Other recent work for Ferguson includes the Apple TV+ series “Silo,” with Season 2 on the way soon. The actress also recently wrapped the MGM sci-thriller “Mercy” with Chris Pratt, and stars in another buzzy upcoming Netflix project from Kathryn Bigelow.
Don’t expect Ferguson to be the last new major face to join the “Peaky Blinders” cast list this summer. Should fans expect another name or two dropped at Comic-Con this weekend? Doubtful, but Ferguson may pitch when “Silo” Season 2 hits Apple TV+ to fans (she’ll be there this weekend). But if Harper and Knight start shooting “Peaky Blinders” soon, it’s safe to assume at least one other A-lister will join the Shelby’s ranks in due time.