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BBC fans have begged for one of ‘the best crime dramas in years’ to be renewed for season 2.
Dubbed the ‘Scouse Sopranos’, the eight-part thriller stars Sean Bean as a Liverpool drug kingpin whose decision to retire kicks off a battle between Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) and his son Jamie (Jack McMullen).
But, as fans of This City Is Ours gear up for what is shaping to be a thrilling finale tonight, rumours of a second season have begun circulating.
Starring Derry Girls actress Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Gavin and Stacey’s Laura Aikman, fans of the show previously hailed its ‘brilliant’ acting and ‘excellent plot twists’.
Now, viewers are demanding that the saga of the Liverpool-based Phelan family continues.
Taking to X, @IndeedItsMark said: ‘Absolutely brilliant series. If this is not picked up for a second series then it’s a travesty.’
@DWyattHupton added: ‘This City is Ours on the BBC is one of the best TV series I’ve seen in years. It’s absolutely outstanding from start to finish.
‘If you love crime drama, then this is elite. Do yourself a favour and get on it ASAP.’
@stuartcrfc1939 also wrote: ‘Just finished this city is ours – Waow! Unbelievable show! Hopefully a second series! No idea what to watch next.’
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Bean said he wants the show to have a ‘long future’.
‘There’s not been anything like it before and I’m very pleased that I have been a part of it. I want it to have a long future – everyone involved in it deserves success,’ he said.
Writer-creator Stephen Butchard offered a slightly different perspective, however, stating that he was commissioned to write eight episodes and ‘did not call it “Series 1”.’
He added: ‘This City is Ours could never have been, say, a film because I would not have had the chance to develop the characters, and they are all important to me. I don’t sit there saying, “Oh this plot will be developed further in series two or three and so on”.
‘I set out to write a fantastic story from episode one to episode eight – a tale of real life and real emotions where families are dragged deeper into confrontation.’
The series follows Jamie who plans to cut Michael out of their gang, however Michael has problems of his own as he falls in love with Diana Williams (Hannah Onslow) and tries to start a family with her using IVF.
Then, after a shipment bringing cocaine from Columbia goes missing, the separate storylines slowly descend into chaos as the gang realise their drug empire is under attack.
Writing a review on Google, James F Manning said: ‘This is a brilliant crime drama. James Nelson-Joyce is brilliant as Michael Kavanagh, the right-hand man of Ronnie Phelan who is head of one of the most powerful crime families in Liverpool.
‘Saorise-Monica Jackson, after seeing her in comedies, it’s nice to see she can do serious roles as well.’
Fellow fan Simon added: ‘Wow! Way more to this than I expected and such an exciting edge of your seat watch. Excellent story and plot twists. Acting from all of the cast is top notch. Highly recommended!’
Jacqui Reddey also said: ‘WOW WOW fantastic acting. Kept me on the edge of my seat, haven’t shouted at the TV in a long time!
‘Watched three episodes and had a row with hubby about watching the next one but it was one in the morning. Just brilliant.’
In March it was revealed that the gangland drama has boosted Liverpool’s economy by £9,000,000 following an investment from Liverpool City Region’s Production Fund (LCR), its city council has confirmed.
The cast and crew of This City Is Ours spent 17 weeks filming in Liverpool, creating around 300 jobs for local people and supporting 17 trainees and two apprentices.
Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: ‘The LCR Production Fund isn’t just bringing millions into our local economy—it’s opening doors for local people, giving them life-changing opportunities and helping them get a foot in the door of the industry.
‘By backing projects like This City Is Ours, alongside the world-class talent and infrastructure we’ve got here, we’re making sure our region isn’t just part of the conversation.’
Gavin and Stacey star Laura also spoke with the Metro about nailing a Liverpool accent, despite being born in London.
She said: ‘I’ve got an ear for accents, but I’m very aware that this is one of those accents that if you get wrong, you’ll never hear the end of it from Scousers so I was slightly scared.
‘Everyone was really kind about respectfully telling you if you got a sound wrong or whatever, they would let you know.’
Describing the series, she added: ‘It’s like [Succession] in that battle for power, between all of these people who have previously been really close.
‘It’s interesting to see how quickly they can turn against each other under certain circumstances.’
The BBC is yet to confirm whether or not there will be a second series.
This City is Ours is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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