Alexander Dreymon, best known for his commanding role as Uhtred of Bebbanburg in The Last Kingdom, is stepping into uncharted territory — and it’s already turning heads. In a bold and unexpected move, Netflix has officially announced a gritty Peaky Blinders spin-off, with Dreymon leading the charge. The news sent shockwaves through both fanbases, and the first trailer confirms what many had hoped: this isn’t just another extension, it’s a reinvention.
The series, titled The Devil’s Collar, takes place ten years after the events of the original Peaky Blinders finale. Set in post-war London as criminal empires rise to fill the power vacuum left by the Shelbys, Dreymon plays Alistair Crane — a former army intelligence officer turned brutal enforcer, known for his cold logic, brutal efficiency, and signature cigar always clenched between his teeth. It’s a character that swaps Uhtred’s sword and Saxon honor for tommy guns and street justice.
In the first teaser, Crane walks through the foggy alleys of East London, donning a long black overcoat and flat cap, as Johnny Cash’s “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” plays faintly in the background. His voiceover, low and measured, introduces viewers to a man shaped by war and betrayal. “There are no kings left,” he growls. “Only the ones ruthless enough to take the throne.”
Series creator Steven Knight returns as executive producer, ensuring the world-building remains loyal to the Peaky Blinders universe, while injecting a fresh energy into the new storyline. Knight has called Dreymon’s performance “magnetic, violent, and heartbreakingly human,” noting that Crane is “what Thomas Shelby might have become had he lost his soul entirely.” With that kind of endorsement, the show is already being described internally as Netflix’s next prestige crime drama.
What sets The Devil’s Collar apart from its predecessor is its broader, more international tone. With London as a melting pot of criminal interests — from Italian mobs to rogue Irish factions and ex-military kingpins — the show plays out like a noir thriller soaked in blood and betrayal. The political maneuvering is heavier, the violence more abrupt, and the moral grayness even thicker than before.
Dreymon’s transformation is nothing short of stunning. Gone is the long hair and medieval armor — replaced by a tightly cropped cut, finely tailored suits, and an ever-present scar beneath his eye. But what remains is the intensity. He brings the same emotional weight and explosive energy that made Uhtred iconic, but channels it into a colder, more dangerous man. Fans of The Last Kingdom may find themselves shocked at how quickly Dreymon disappears into this role.
Alongside Dreymon, the cast includes familiar faces and fresh talent. Anya Taylor-Joy reprises her role as Gina Gray in a recurring arc, serving as a high-society antagonist with deep connections to Crane’s shadowy past. Cillian Murphy’s involvement has been kept deliberately vague, though Knight has confirmed that “ghosts of Tommy Shelby” loom heavily over the storyline, hinting at possible appearances — even if only in flashback or reference.
The production quality is unmistakably top-tier. From the smog-drenched streets of postwar England to lavish underworld speakeasies, the show spares no detail in immersing viewers in its dangerous world. Costuming and set design reflect a changing Britain — no longer run by aristocrats, but by men with scars, secrets, and unchecked ambition. The cinematography takes a darker turn too, favoring muted tones, close-up tension, and long tracking shots that echo the show’s spiritual predecessor.
Perhaps the most intriguing element is the psychological depth the writers have promised. The Devil’s Collar isn’t just about criminal power plays — it’s about trauma, identity, and the cost of survival. Crane is portrayed as both predator and victim, a man carrying the emotional wreckage of war who is constantly trying to outpace the darkness chasing him. Dreymon’s portrayal, particularly in a tense interrogation scene previewed in the trailer, shows a man unraveling even as he rises.
Fans of Peaky Blinders have long speculated about possible spin-offs, but this is the first to take such a bold leap. While still grounded in the smoky, volatile world that made the original a global phenomenon, The Devil’s Collar aims higher — and darker. Netflix is reportedly positioning it as a flagship series for 2026, with marketing already teasing awards potential and a wide international rollout.
Initial reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Within hours of the trailer’s release, social media was flooded with excitement. Hashtags like #TheDevilsCollar and #AlexanderDreymon trended globally, with many praising the trailer’s brutal tone and Dreymon’s commanding screen presence. Critics who viewed early cuts have called the series “a thunderous evolution of the Peaky universe.”
With its blend of high-stakes drama, psychological depth, and unapologetic violence, The Devil’s Collar is shaping up to be a rare kind of spin-off — one that doesn’t just ride the success of its predecessor, but challenges it. And with Alexander Dreymon trading sword for cigar, viewers are in for a darker, sharper storm than they’ve ever seen before.
