The BBC has announced the cast of its new Liverpool-based drama series, “This City Is Ours”, which includes Sean Bean, James Nelson-Joyce, Hannah Onslow, and Jack McMullen. The eight-part series is written by Stephen Butchard and will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
“This City Is Ours” is an epic crime drama that tells the story of Michael (Nelson-Joyce), a man involved in organized crime who falls in love for the first time with Diana (Onslow). Michael has been working with his friend and gang leader, Ronnie Phelan (Bean), to bring cocaine into the city directly from Colombia. However, when a shipment goes missing, their operation is threatened, and Michael’s life takes an unexpected turn as he imagines a future beyond the criminal underworld.
The drama also explores the power struggle within the gang as Ronnie’s son, Jamie (McMullen), wants to inherit their kingdom, leaving Michael fighting for his position.
The series is created and written by Butchard, known for “The Good Mothers” and “The Last Kingdom,” and directed by Saul Dibb of “The Salisbury Poisonings” fame.
Sean Bean, the two-time BAFTA-winning actor, is set to play the gang leader Ronnie Phelan, marking another memorable role for the actor who has previously starred in “Game of Thrones” and “The Lord of the Rings.”
James Nelson-Joyce, known for playing tough guy and villainous characters in “Mount Pleasant” and “Little Boy Blue”, takes on the role of Michael Kavanagh, Ronnie’s friend, and a man caught between his criminal life and newfound love.
Hannah Onslow, who recently appeared in “Empire of Light,” will portray Diana Williams, Michael’s partner, while Jack McMullen, known for “Hijack,” plays Jamie Phelan, Ronnie’s son, who believes he will inherit the criminal empire.
The series will be produced by Left Bank Pictures for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, with international distribution by Sony Pictures Television.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, expressed her excitement, stating, “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.”
“This City Is Ours” is currently filming in Liverpool and Spain.
