Nightsleeper Joe Cole's 'tragic' Peaky Blinders past and why he quit BBC drama

He's currently the star of much talked about new thriller Nightsleeper and Joe Cole knows a thing or two about being in a hit drama, having previously been in Peaky Blinders.

Since it launched on Sunday, September 15, Nightsleeper has become one of the most buzzed about new dramas this year,. with Joe taking on the role of mysterious copper Joe Roag, who having appeared to be the have-a-go hero in the opening minutes of episode one, saw his past exposed to the other passengers on a Glasgow to London sleeper train, as it is taken over by hackers.

All six episodes of Nightsleeper were made available to binge on BBC iPlayer before the first part had even aired, with many people rushing to watch them all in quick succession. For those more patient viewers, episode three aired in real time on BBC One on Sunday night, with the closing scenes proving to be a tough watch, as a major character was killed off.

READ MORE:BBC Nightsleeper viewers 'can't watch' as new drama takes tragic turn in final moments

READ MORE:PIP claimants may be due £5,200 from DWP after rule change - see if you're owed cash

And Joe himself actually suffered the same fate himself on Peaky Blinders, with his character John Selby was killed off in a shocking end to the first episode of series 4, as John was shot dead outside his house, in front of his wife and brother.

John's death upset many Peaky Blinders fans, but BBC producers were actually left with no choice but to write John out, as Joe decided to quit, declaring that he had other projects lined up and it was 'the right time to go.'

And then in an interview with Metro to promote him being in Gangs of London, Joe elaborated: "With 'Peaky Blinders' I never really got out of the gates in that role. It's Cillian's show really. This show ['Gangs of London'] is more ensemble, it follows characters on a deep level."