'Peaky Blinders' creator Steven Knight thinks the drama will "move on" without Tom Hardy.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy

The 41-year-old actor's character Alfie Solomons was killed off in the series four finale two years ago, but Knight has said the upcoming fifth season could be "the best" yet.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com, he said: "I personally believe - and I think everybody involved believes - that this is the best series yet, for all sorts of reasons.

"There's a lot going on, there's a lot of bells ringing, there's a lot of conflict happening. It's like when [series one and two star] Sam Neill was no longer in it. That felt like a loss, but you move on. You have to."

Knight - who also works with Hardy in BBC series 'Taboo' - added that the fifth season of'Peaky Blinders' will also deal with "the rise of fascism" as the newly-elected Thomas Shelby MP (Cillian Murphy) facing difficulties in a position of power.

He added: "Tommy Shelby is always on the way up - and sort of on the way down as well.

"Obviously he has political power now, and in series five he confronts fascism. Well, not 'confront' exactly, but that is what is happening at the time. The 1930s were all about the rise of fascism; how does Tommy Shelby respond?"

Knight's comments come after he previously revealed the show's run on air could "almost certainly" be a total of seven seasons.

said: "We just finished shooting a week and a half ago. Series five is done. I can honestly say that it's the best yet. It's really good. It's fantastic and it all fell together beautifully. Great performances and I think audiences are going to be on the edge of their seats."

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