As spring blooms in 2025, British viewers can look forward to diving into the underbelly of Liverpool's criminal scene with This City Is Ours, a new crime drama premiering on March 23. The show, regarded as a captivating portrayal of family loyalty and violent ambition, stars the talented Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan, a long-time drug lord contemplating his retirement. He stands at a crossroads, with tension brewing within his own family and crime organization.
Join Sean Bean as he steps into the shoes of Ronnie Phelan, the patriarch of a formidable crime family, alongside Julie Graham portraying Elaine, his resilient wife. James Nelson-Joyce takes on the role of Michael Kavanagh, Ronnie's loyal right-hand man, while Jack McMullen plays their ambitious son Jamie, who is eager to secure his place as head of the family business.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Liverpool, the eight-part series, which airs on BBC One at 9 PM, tackles intense themes of power struggles and betrayal as the Phelan family navigates their criminal enterprise with increasing peril. As Ronnie weighs the pull of retirement, chaos leads to internal conflict, particularly as a significant drug shipment mysteriously goes missing, threatening their operations and relationships.
“I sort of hope they all die,” could be a viewer's initial reaction to the morally complex world of This City Is Ours, where the usual respect for family ties is put to the test within the ruthless drug trade. The series takes viewers on a compelling journey that balances brutal reality with poignant family dynamics.
The storyline thickens when ambitious Jamie begins to challenge Michael for influence over the family business, creating a rift that could spell disaster for their operations. This tug-of-war between loyalty and ambition is central to the plot, promising many twists and emotional highs and lows that viewers can only speculate about.
Created and written by Stephen Butchard, recognized for his previous critically acclaimed work on The Last Kingdom, this new venture promises to merge engaging storytelling with rich character arcs. The show is deliberately crafted to give viewers an understanding of the complexities involved in a life of crime. Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, remarked, “It’s a joy to see cameras rolling on This City Is Ours with a glorious cast who have made Stephen Butchard’s sublime scripts even more exciting.”
Filming took place at various locations throughout Liverpool, including Haydock, and extended to a picturesque villa in Spain. Julie Graham, reflecting on her character Elaine's motives and relationships, noted, “She’s the matriarch and is loyal to her family; you wouldn't cross her! She's warm but has status and gravitas.” As tensions mount, Elaine's role as a mediator becomes crucial, especially regarding her son Jamie's reckless ambitions.
The show seamlessly weaves together themes of family loyalty with the stark realities of the drug trade. Graham elaborated on the show's focus, saying, “I’m a huge fan of Stephen Butchard, the writer, and even though it’s about gangsters, what it’s really about is family, which we’re endlessly fascinated by – it all comes down to loyalty, love, and betrayal.” This sentiment encapsulates the heart of the series that will undoubtedly resonate with audiences.
Despite the revelations of violence and chaotic negotiations with larger drug networks, viewers can expect moments of normalcy sprawled throughout the narrative. Family gatherings, christenings, and moments reflecting a sense of community provide a stark contrast to the violent undercurrents that dominate the plot.
Within all this, a subplot involving Diana, Michael's love interest, hints at the potential for generational trauma as she navigates her family’s complexities. This adds depth to the narrative and highlights a different perspective within the story, which Monita, played by Saoirse-Monica Jackson, poignantly articulates during a dramatic christening scene.
As audiences prepare for the premiere, This City Is Ours sets the stage to become a compelling entry in the crime drama genre. From its powerful performances to sharp writing, viewers are bound to engage with the narrative's raw honesty about the criminal lifestyle while simultaneously yearning for the characters' familial connections.
By the end of the first episode, viewers will undoubtedly be left craving more; all episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer by the same day, making it even easier for fans to binge-watch the unfolding drama.
With its promise of betrayal and moral conflict, This City Is Ours may just hook viewers into a series that combines the thrilling aspects of a crime story along with the intimate struggles of familial loyalty. As the saga of the Phelans unfolds, one can only wait and see who lives to tell the tale.
