BBC Orders Second Series of Hit Crime Drama This City is Ours After Explosive First Season

The BBC has officially confirmed that This City is Ours, the gripping crime drama that took the UK by storm, is returning for a second series. The announcement comes mere weeks after the conclusion of the eight-part first season, which launched in full on BBC iPlayer in March and wrapped its weekly BBC One broadcast on Sunday, May 11.

The series made an immediate impact, with the premiere episode drawing over 6.6 million viewers — more than tripling its initial overnight figure of 1.9 million. On BBC iPlayer, it became the most-watched new drama launch of the year, and nearly 3 million people streamed the finale ahead of its scheduled broadcast, highlighting the series’ exceptional digital reach and fan engagement.

Created and written by Stephen Butchard and produced by Left Bank Pictures, This City is Ours is set against the gritty, urban backdrop of Liverpool. The show explores the dark, tangled, and morally ambiguous world of organized crime through the eyes of Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) and Diana (Hannah Onslow). Michael, a rising figure in the city’s criminal underworld, has spent years building a cocaine empire alongside his longtime friend Ronnie (Sean Bean), leveraging connections with the notorious Marbella underworld. But when a key shipment goes missing, Michael realizes that their carefully constructed kingdom is under imminent threat.

The tension escalates further when Ronnie’s son, Jamie (Jack McMullen), asserts his desire to inherit power, sparking a violent and strategic struggle for control over the empire. As the stakes rise, viewers are drawn into a high-octane narrative of loyalty, betrayal, and survival. Every alliance is tested, every decision carries lethal consequences, and the line between friend and foe blurs in the ever-shifting landscape of Liverpool’s criminal underworld.

The first season also featured standout performances from Laura Aikman, Julie Graham, Kevin Harvey, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Mike Noble, Bobby Schofield, Darci Shaw, and Stephen Walters. Critics praised the ensemble for bringing authenticity, complexity, and nuance to their characters, allowing audiences to fully invest in the morally grey world the show portrays. Each character embodies the tension, ambition, and fragility of a city teetering on the edge of lawlessness, making the drama resonate deeply with viewers.

Stephen Butchard, the series’ creator, lead writer, and executive producer, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response:

“We have all been blown away by the incredibly positive reaction to This City is Ours. I can’t thank the audience enough for their time and emotional investment. My heartfelt thanks also go to Lindsay Salt and her wonderful team at BBC Drama for their unflinching support and belief in the show, our story, and our characters — and not least for giving us the opportunity to do it all over again.”

Sian McWilliams, Creative Director at Left Bank Pictures and executive producer on the series, highlighted the excitement of returning to the perilous world of Liverpool crime:

“We are thrilled to dive back into Stephen Butchard’s brilliant vision of this underworld. The audience has fallen in love with these richly drawn characters. After the tumultuous events of the season one finale, rivalries and betrayals have intensified, new threats have emerged, and there is a vast amount of unfinished business waiting to unfold.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, also praised the series’ reception and cultural impact:

“This City is Ours was one of my first commissions when I joined the BBC, and I could not be happier with how Stephen, Saul, and the Left Bank team have brought it to life. Millions of viewers have been gripped by the raging war of the Phelans, and now we have the chance to build on that momentum with series two. This proves that the story is far from over and that the stakes will only get higher.”

Series two will continue in the 8×60-minute format and will again be produced by Left Bank Pictures for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Stephen Butchard returns as lead writer, with executive producers Andy Harries, Rebecca Hodgson, and Sian McWilliams representing Left Bank, and Stephen Butchard, Jo McClellan, and Sami El Hadi representing the BBC. Sony Pictures Television will handle international distribution, ensuring that audiences worldwide can experience the gripping saga of the Phelan family.

The first season’s combination of tense, character-driven drama, authentic Liverpool settings, and high-stakes crime storytelling earned acclaim from critics and viewers alike. The series has been praised for its deft portrayal of complex family dynamics, moral ambiguity, and the psychological toll of power struggles in a world dominated by violence. Reviewers highlighted the show’s ability to balance cinematic storytelling with a deeply emotional core, making it a standout in the UK television landscape.

Fans eagerly anticipate how series two will continue to explore the evolution of the Phelan family, the emergence of new threats, and the consequences of power, ambition, and betrayal. With unresolved storylines from the first season, viewers can expect heightened tension, deeper character arcs, and shocking twists that push the limits of loyalty and survival.

This City is Ours series two promises to deliver an even more intense and immersive experience, solidifying its status as one of the BBC’s most important and compelling crime dramas of the decade. As rivalries intensify and secrets are revealed, the Phelans’ world becomes ever more dangerous — proving that in Liverpool, the line between loyalty and betrayal is razor-thin, and no one is truly safe.