Excitement is brewing in the lead-up to the debut of the new BBC drama, This City is Ours, which will hit screens on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Written by Kirkby-born Stephen Butchard, this gritty series centers on the life of Michael Kavanagh, a gangster maneuvering through the tumultuous waters of organized crime while desperately attempting to build a family. Walton-native actor James Nelson Joyce headlines the production, embodying the role of Kavanagh, who has made a name for himself by smuggling cocaine into the UK from Colombia.
At his side is the experienced gang boss Ronnie Phelan, portrayed by the illustrious Sean Bean. Their criminal operation faces turmoil when a crucial shipment from South America goes awry, threatening their established power. Butchard’s storytelling promises not just action and drama, but deeply woven themes of love, ambition, and the human tragedies that accompany a life of crime.
Set against the iconic backdrop of Liverpool, This City is Ours showcases an array of locations significant to the city’s heritage. Fans of the show will spot various landmarks, including scenes filmed on Hope Street and Exchange Flags, as well as a tense restaurant scene on Ormskirk Road in Aintree. Filming also extended to Marbella, Spain, where additional footage captured the glitzy life intertwined with the dark realities of the mafia.
Actor Jack McMullen, who plays Phelan’s son Jamie, shared a humorous moment during a recent Q&A session, recalling the lengths they went to ensure Bean’s culinary preferences were met while filming abroad. “I had a mate coming over. I had to ring him and say, ‘Listen, will you bring some gravy over for Sean Bean. This is not a joke,’” McMullen quipped. This cozy camaraderie speaks volumes about the sprightly atmosphere on set, in contrast to the harshness of the script.
This eight-part series, directed by Saul Dibb, endeavors to explore the conflicts arising from organized crime as well as the tangled web of personal relationships. Kavanagh’s drive to start a family with his girlfriend, Diana, played by Hannah Onslow, adds a layer of emotional depth amidst the chaos of gang rivalries.
“I’m convinced it will become a classic piece of drama,” Bean remarked regarding the writing and structure of the series. “It is very well written and structured; everything you see in episode one resonates throughout the entire series.” This assertion ignites curiosity over how effectively the series will intertwine its characters' ambitions and personal crises throughout its narrative arc.
As This City is Ours prepares for its iPlayer launch, airing first on the platform at 6:00 AM, followed by the television broadcast at 9:00 PM, viewers are rightfully eager to see how it represents the struggles of communities influenced by criminal enterprises.
Moreover, this glamorous yet gritty depiction of Liverpool is expected to challenge traditional portrayals of gang life. While crime stories are ubiquitous in media, This City is Ours aims to unveil not only the battles for power within the gang but also the personal sacrifices that the characters make. With a lavish Spanish villa featured in several sequences, the juxtaposition of opulence and violence appears to be a recurring motif throughout the series.
The cultural footprint of Liverpool entwines its own identity with the narrative's fabric, making it a vital character in the story. Killers, conflicts over territory, and intricate family dynamics converge, creating an ensemble that reflects both lighthearted moments and intense drama. The show's makers believe that these themes will resonate with audiences, showcasing the stark realities of ambition gone wrong.
As viewers gear up for the first episode, anticipation builds not just for the action, but for the intricate storytelling and character development expected to unfold across the eight episodes. The series promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions, revealing the humor and horror intertwined in gang life while portraying Liverpool as never seen before.
This City is Ours launches on BBC iPlayer from 6:00 AM on Sunday, March 23, with the series airing on BBC One every subsequent Sunday at 9:00 PM. Whether it becomes the next big hit or fades away in the clutter of television programming remains to be seen, but early insights suggest fans of compelling crime drama will have much to enjoy.
Ultimately, This City is Ours introduces its audiences to a world filled with love, ambition, and absurdity crafted against the backdrop of crime, set in a city that straddles light and dark. Tune in to witness a new standard in crime drama and perhaps marvel at the unexpected moments that will transpire in the turbulent lives of its characters.
