The BBC has officially confirmed a second series of This City Is Ours, following a debut run that has emerged as the broadcaster’s most successful new drama of the year.
Set against the striking backdrop of Liverpool’s waterfront, the eight-part gangland thriller drew more than six million viewers, winning widespread critical praise and quickly developing a devoted audience. Exploring power, loyalty and betrayal within the Phelan crime family, the series has been likened to The Sopranos — earning the fan-coined nickname “the Scouse Sopranos.”
A Standout Cast and a Distinctive Voice
Led by Sean Bean as formidable crime boss Ronnie Phelan, the series also stars Julie Graham, with acclaimed performances from Liverpool-born actors James Nelson-Joyce and Jack McMullen. Nelson-Joyce, in particular, has attracted attention for his magnetic screen presence, with fans already tipping him as a future leading man beyond British television.
Created by writer Stephen Butchard, This City Is Ours charts a brutal struggle for control of a cocaine-trafficking empire, balancing violent power plays with moments of dark humour, intimacy and family tension.
Butchard admitted he was taken aback by the scale of the response:
“I’ve been completely blown away by the incredibly positive reaction,” he said.
“I can’t thank the audience enough for their time and emotional investment.”
Viral Moments and Unexpected Warmth
While firmly rooted in crime drama, the series found an unlikely second life online thanks to a number of standout scenes — including Sean Bean leading a convoy of golf buggies to the haunting strains of Apocalypse Now, and a now-viral line-dancing sequence set to Andy Williams’ The House of Bamboo.
Music played a central role in shaping the show’s identity, adding irony and emotional texture to moments of menace and domestic conflict alike.
Even the youngest cast member — baby Alfie Phelan, played by twins Jacob and Oliver Cleary — became an unexpectedly resonant presence, reinforcing one of the show’s core themes: in this world, crime and family are inseparable.
A Boost for Liverpool — On and Off Screen
Part-funded by the Liverpool Film Office, the production is credited with injecting approximately £9 million into the local economy, further establishing the city as a major hub for high-end television drama. Scenes were also filmed in Spain, underscoring the series’ international ambition.
BBC Drama Director Lindsay Salt praised the creative team’s achievement:
“They brought it to the screen with real confidence and class,” she said.
“I’m delighted we now get to build on such a strong first run. This is only the beginning.”
What Comes Next
While casting details and filming dates for series two have yet to be announced, the creative team has confirmed the story is far from complete.
Executive producer Sian McWilliams of Left Bank Pictures teased escalating tensions ahead:
“After the explosive events of the finale, rivalries have intensified. Some alliances are fractured — and new ones are only just beginning. There’s a great deal of unfinished business.”
The season finale airs on BBC One later this week, though the full series is already available on BBC iPlayer, where around three million viewers have streamed the ending.
With international sales underway, scenes continuing to circulate online, and a second series now officially green-lit, This City Is Ours has proved it is more than a ratings success — it is the foundation of a long-running crime saga firmly rooted in place, character and consequence.
