The producers of the acclaimed series Peaky Blinders face serious accusations of endangering their film crew by failing to report a positive COVID-19 test result. A leading film, television, and entertainment union has launched a formal investigation into the matter.
It's unwelcome news for Peaky Blinders fans eagerly awaiting Season 6. Crew members have alleged that production continued filming despite awareness of a positive coronavirus test, prompting a temporary suspension of shooting.
Already postponed in March 2020 due to lockdown measures, filming on the final season didn't resume until January 2021. The French broadcast is scheduled for early 2022, though ongoing challenges could cause slight delays in reuniting audiences with Thomas Shelby and his Birmingham gang in 1930s England.
Filming was temporarily suspended last week after a positive COVID-19 test surfaced. On-set technicians claim shooting persisted for hours afterward until another crew member intervened to halt it. Despite resuming on April 29, workers accuse producers of knowingly risking crew safety by ignoring anti-COVID protocols.
The production disputes these claims, as reported by The Guardian. A spokesperson explained: "Peaky Blinders filming halted due to a false positive test from a team member. Following protocol, they took an NHS test while contacts isolated. The NHS result was negative, allowing filming to resume on Thursday."
Even after confirming the false positive via a second test, the Broadcasting Entertainment Communications and Theatre Union (BECTU) opened an investigation on May 2 in light of the complaints.
"Safety protocols ensure a secure environment for cast and crew. Production should have immediately notified everyone and stopped filming. Such an oversight could have spread the virus," stated BECTU spokesperson Spencer MacDonald.
Per The Guardian, the probe may affect insurance for co-producers Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect. Filming has resumed without further issues, but some crew express reluctance to continue on the beloved series.
