‘Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight inks Kudos first-look deal, sets new BBC drama

Peaky Blinders

Banijay-owned UK prodco Kudos has signed a first-look deal with Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders and the firm’s upcoming wartime series SAS: Rogue Heroes.

Under the agreement, Deadwater Fell and Grantchester producer Kudos gets the first look on future UK based projects originated by Knight.

Local pubcaster the BBC has already ordered six-part drama series Two Tone (working title) as the first project to emerge from the partnership. The series, which has been in development at Kudos since 2020, will debut on BBC One and 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 series will go into production later this year and will be made in Birmingham at Knight’s new Digbeth Loc. Film and TV studio. It will be produced by Kudos and Nebulastar, in association with Kudos North, Stigma Films and Nick Angel. Banijay Rights will handle international distribution for the series.

“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,” said Knight, adding: “Of course, the soundtrack will be sensational.”

Steven Knight

Industry growth

The partnership between Knight and Kudos is committed to “substantial long-term financial investment” in skills and training in the West Midlands with the ambition of growing the local workforce, incubating talent and generating a thriving scripted production pipeline in Birmingham. Digbeth Loc. Studios will serve as the partnership’s hub.  

“This is a real opportunity to nurture and grow the TV industry in the fertile soil of Birmingham.  We need local people, local locations, local know-how and local stories to help us make world beating screen content,” commented Knight.

“As a partner, Kudos could not be more prestigious and it’s a pleasure to welcome them into town.  We hit the ground running in the next few months with our first project which is West Midlands to its core, and I am hugely excited by what the future holds.”

Martin Haines, joint-MD of Kudos, added: “I am delighted we are building on our relationship with Steve and taking our partnership to the next level in this fantastic way which will have real impact on the production industry in Birmingham and the West Midlands.”