‘This City Is Ours’ Returns to BBC One With New Faces and a Cartel Reckoning

The second season of ‘This City Is Ours’ begins on Sunday 25 October, and it will be available on BBC iPlayer from that date. The Liverpool crime drama stars James Nelson-Joyce as Michael, a key figure in an organised crime syndicate whose life is upended when he falls for Diana, played by Hannah Onslow.

The new episodes pick up where series one ended, with the story moving between Spain and Liverpool. The BBC has also secured an early renewal for a third run ahead of the second season premiere. Here is what is known about ‘This City Is Ours’ so far, from the schedule to the cast to the story.

‘This City Is Ours’ Second Season Release Date and Schedule

The second series will air on Sunday and Monday nights at 9pm on BBC One from 25 October. The same episodes will be available to stream on iPlayer from that date.

Series two is made up of eight episodes of roughly an hour each, produced by Left Bank Pictures for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Series one also ran for eight episodes, all of which can be streamed on iPlayer.

Filming took place in and around Liverpool, with additional shooting in Spain. Saul Dibb returns as lead director from series one, and Chris Baugh joins as director. Sony Pictures Television will distribute the series internationally.

The return follows a strong launch. Series one became the BBC’s most watched new drama launch of its year at the time, averaging 5.8 million viewers, with more than 7.8 million for the first episode, which more than tripled its initial overnight figure of 1.9 million.

New Cast Members Joining the Liverpool Crime Drama

Shaun Evans joins the cast as Ozzie Thompson, a former gangster who is recently out of prison. Evans is known for ‘Until I Kill You’ and ‘Endeavour’.

Álvaro Morte plays Felipe Guzman, a member of the Colombian cartel and the younger brother of Ricardo, who was murdered at the end of series one. Morte’s previous credits include ‘Money Heist’, ‘Immaculate’ and ‘The Wheel of Time’.

Nelson-Joyce and Onslow return as Michael Kavanagh and Diana Williams, alongside Jack McMullen as Jamie Phelan, Mike Noble as Banksey and Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Cheryl Crawford. Julie Graham also returns as Elaine Phelan, the widow of murdered gang leader Ronnie, who was played by Sean Bean.

Creator Stephen Butchard is back as lead writer, with Robbie O’Neill writing one episode.

Plot Details and What Happens After the Cartel Killing

Michael and Diana have barely arrived in Spain when they are dragged back to answer questions around Ricardo’s death. That opening sets up a story built on consequences rather than a clean escape.

Back in Liverpool, tensions continue to bubble among the remaining members of the gang, while an old school gangster from Ronnie’s era wants compensation from the firm. Felipe Guzman is also on the scene, hunting for answers about who killed his brother.

The family conflict from series one still sits underneath all of this. That story centred on Ronnie’s son Jamie deciding he wanted to inherit the kingdom over Michael, and the battle for control that followed. Executive producer Sian McWilliams has said the gang rivalries and betrayals have escalated, new ones have begun, and there is a lot of unfinished business.

Series Three Renewal and What Comes Next for the Phelan Gang

The BBC has already renewed the drama for a third series, with filming for the eight episodes set to begin in Liverpool in 2027. Additional casting details are still to be announced.

The early commission fits a pattern. The second series was itself confirmed just one day after the series one finale aired on BBC One in May. That suggests the broadcaster has confidence in the show well before audiences see the new episodes.

The drama also carries local weight. According to the Liverpool Film Office, series one provided a £9m boost to the local Liverpool economy.

For now the focus is on the second run and how its new characters shake up an already unstable crew. With Ozzie Thompson demanding payment from the firm and Felipe Guzman closing in on Michael and Diana, who do you think poses the bigger threat to the Phelan gang and to the couple trying to leave Liverpool behind?