The BBC has officially confirmed the return of its gritty gangland drama This City Is Ours for a second series — following a runaway first season that pulled in more than six million viewers and cemented its place as the broadcaster’s most-watched new drama of the year.
Set against the striking backdrop of Liverpool, the eight-part thriller — which explores power, loyalty and betrayal within the Phelan crime family — has struck a chord with audiences and critics alike, quickly earning comparisons to The Sopranos and being dubbed by fans as the “Scouse Sopranos.”
The series stars Sean Bean as ruthless gang leader Ronnie Phelan, alongside Julie Graham, with standout performances from Liverpool-born actors James Nelson-Joyce — recently tipped by some fans as a potential future James Bond — and Jack McMullen.
A Breakout Success — And A Surprise Phenomenon
Created by acclaimed writer Stephen Butchard, the drama chronicles a violent struggle for control over a cocaine-trafficking empire, blending brutal crime storytelling with moments of unexpected warmth, humour and family intimacy.
Butchard admitted he was stunned by the scale of the reaction.
“I’ve been completely blown away by the incredibly positive response,” he said.
“I can’t thank the audience enough for their time and emotional investment.”
While rooted firmly in Liverpool, the series also filmed scenes in Spain and is set to be sold internationally, marking it as one of the BBC’s most export-ready dramas in years.
Viral Moments, Iconic Scenes — And Unexpected Heart
Beyond its hard-edged crime narrative, This City Is Ours won viewers over with memorable lighter moments — including a now-iconic scene of Sean Bean’s Ronnie Phelan leading a convoy of golf buggies to the haunting theme from Apocalypse Now.
Another unexpected hit saw the cast performing a line dance to the 1950s classic The House of Bamboo, a moment that has since been recreated countless times online and gone viral across social media platforms.
Music played a crucial role in shaping the series’ identity, adding texture and irony to scenes of criminal tension and family conflict.
A Major Boost For Liverpool — On And Off Screen
Part-funded by the Liverpool Film Office, the production has been credited with injecting around £9 million into the local economy, further strengthening the city’s growing reputation as a hub for high-end television drama.
BBC Drama Director Lindsay Salt praised the creative team for delivering the series with style and confidence.
“They brought it to the screen so classily,” she said.
“I’m delighted we now get to build on this fantastic first run. Things are only just getting started for this very special series.”
What’s Next? Unfinished Business Looms
While details about the second series — including casting and filming dates — have not yet been revealed, insiders suggest the story is far from over.
Executive producer Sian McWilliams of Left Bank Pictures teased what’s to come:
“After the tumultuous events of the season one finale, gang rivalries and betrayals have escalated to new levels. New ones have just begun — and there is a lot of unfinished business.”
The season finale airs on BBC One later this week, though the full series has already been available on BBC iPlayer, where around three million viewers have already watched the ending.
Even the youngest member of the cast — baby Alfie Phelan, played by twins Jacob and Oliver Cleary — emerged as a surprisingly prominent presence in the ensemble, underscoring the show’s recurring theme: in this city, crime and family are impossible to separate.
With global sales on the horizon, viral moments still circulating online, and a second series now officially confirmed, This City Is Ours has proved it isn’t just a hit — it’s the beginning of a much bigger saga.
Source: Adapted from reporting by BBC News
