Filming is officially underway on the highly anticipated second series of the BBC’s critically acclaimed drama This City is Ours, created and written by Stephen Butchard and produced by Left Bank Pictures.
The first series, which debuted on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in March, quickly became the BBC’s most-watched new drama launch of the year, drawing an average audience of 5.8 million. Its opening episode has now been watched by over 7.8 million viewers, more than tripling its initial overnight figure of 1.9 million, while almost three million people streamed the finale ahead of its BBC One broadcast in May.
James Nelson-Joyce reprises his role as Michael Kavanagh, joined once again by Hannah Onslow as his partner Diana Williams, Jack McMullen as Jamie Phelan, Mike Noble as Banksey, Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan — widow of murdered gang leader Ronnie (Sean Bean), and Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Cheryl Crawford.
The new series also welcomes Shaun Evans (Until I Kill You, Endeavour) as Ozzie Thompson, a former gangster newly released from prison, and Álvaro Morte (Money Heist, Immaculate, The Wheel of Time) as Felipe Guzman, a member of the Colombian cartel and the younger brother of Ricardo, whose death closed the first series.
Picking up immediately after the events of series one, Michael and Diana have barely arrived in Spain before being pulled back into the chaos to answer questions surrounding Ricardo’s murder. Back in Liverpool, tensions rise among the remnants of the gang, and the return of an old-school criminal from Ronnie’s era threatens to unsettle the fragile balance even further.
Returning cast members also include Adam Abbou as Freddie, Laura Aikman as Rachel Duffy, Kevin Harvey as Bobby Duffy, and Darci Shaw as Melissa Sullivan.
This City is Ours series two (8×60’) is produced by Left Bank Pictures for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. It was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. The series is created by Stephen Butchard, who also serves as lead writer, with Robbie O’Neill contributing an additional episode. Executive producers are Andy Harries, Rebecca Hodgson, and Sian McWilliams for Left Bank Pictures; Stephen Butchard, Saul Dibb, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Saul Dibb returns as lead director, alongside Chris Baugh (In Flight, Wreck). The series producer is Simon Maloney, with Nathan Juckes returning as block two producer. Sony Pictures Television will distribute the series internationally.
This City is Ours will film in and around Liverpool, with additional filming in Spain. You can watch series one in full on BBC iPlayer here.
Main Featured Image - Photo Credit: Left Bank Pictures/James Stack
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