Filming on Peaky Blinders and Line of Duty has been suspended due to the coronavirus crisis.

Work on the sixth series of Line of Duty had begun in Northern Ireland in recent weeks while filming for Peaky Blinders was due to resume imminently. A statement has been shared from the official Line of Duty Twitter account.

"In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, @worldprods are suspending filming of #LineofDuty S6 with the support of the BBC. "We will keep you updated with further developments in due course. Thank you".

The decision to postpone filming for the new season of Peaky Blinders was announced today. In a statement obtained by The Guardian, a BBC spokesperson said:

"In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, the producers – Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect Productions – of Peaky Blinders S6 have postponed filming, and World Productions on Line of Duty S6 have suspended filming, both in consultation with and supported by the BBC. "We will continue to review all productions on a case-by-case basis and will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organization and Public Health England".

The fact that filming has ceased on two of BBC's most popular TV shows follows the news that the scheduled release date for a number of movies has been postponed, including A Quiet Place: Part 2 and No Time to Die. Fears over the spread of Covid-19 have increased in recent days and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged the Irish nation to stay calm. Considerable misinformation has been shared in recent days via Whatsapp groups leading to needless panic and it is absolutely vital that people only follow advice from reputable sources including the HSE and WHO.

I am urging everyone to please stop sharing unverified info on What's app groups. These messages are scaring and confusing people and causing real damage. Please get your info from official, trusted sources. Follow @HSELive @hpscireland @WHO @merrionstreet @dfatravelwise

— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 16, 2020