Cast Unveiled for BBC One’s This City is Ours

The cast has been revealed for the upcoming BBC One crime drama This City is Ours (w.t.), with Sean Bean (Marriage, Time), James Nelson-Joyce (Bird, A Thousand Blows), Hannah Onslow (Empire of Light, This is Going to Hurt) and many more to star.

Set and filmed in Liverpool, the series centers on Michael, a man who has spent his entire adult life involved in organized crime but begins to imagine another life for himself after falling in love. Bean, Nelson-Joyce and Onslow are joined in the cast by Jack McMullen (Hijack, Ford V Ferrari) and Julie Graham (Shetland, Time), among others.

As the series follows the story of Michael’s love affair with Diana, his crime gang slowly disintegrates. For years, together with gang leader Ronnie, Michael had been successfully bringing cocaine into Liverpool directly from Colombia. When a shipment goes missing, they realize their kingdom is under attack. To make matters worse, Ronnie’s son Jamie decides he wants to inherit the drug kingdom and that there is no longer a place for Michael. Michael’s biggest battle, however, will be to save the woman he loves and the child he always wanted.

The packed cast also features Laura Aikman (Archie, Gavin & Stacey), Kevin Harvey (Treason, Time), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Derry Girls, Upgraded), Mike Noble (Shardlake, The Long Shadow), Bobby Schofield (SAS Rogue Heroes, The Suspect), Darci Shaw (Judy, A Thousand Blows) and Stephen Walters (Slow Horses, Anne).

This City is Ours is being produced by Left Bank Pictures. It is created and written by Stephen Butchard (The Good Mothers, The Last Kingdom, Five Daughters) and directed by Saul Dibb (The Salisbury Poisonings, The Sixth Commandment). Sony Pictures Television is handling international distribution.

“It’s an absolute honor to be a part of this exciting show,” Nelson-Joyce said. “I knew from reading the first episode that I had to take on this compelling story of crime, loyalty and, above all, love.”

“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,” commented Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama. “Under the skillful direction of Saul Dibb, BBC viewers are in for one hell of a ride.”

Andy Harries, CEO of Left Bank Pictures and executive producer of the series, added, “Stephen Butchard is a master storyteller, and his scripts are sharp, fast-paced and brilliantly observed. He throws us in at the deep end with fascinating, multifaceted characters, and we have put together a top-tier cast to bring them to life. This City is Ours is going to blow the bloody doors off.”