The new BBC drama focuses on the turmoil of a British crime family and empire
This City is Ours trailer
A brand new BBC crime drama has just dropped on BBC iPlayer and BBC One – but where was the series filmed? This City is Ours centres around Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson Joyce), who’s built a criminal empire through smuggling cocaine from Colombia into the UK.
He’s been running this operation alongside gang boss Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean). But when a shipment goes missing, they realise their empire is under threat.
Meanwhile, Ronnie’s son Jamie expresses his desire to take over the business. Both Michael and Jamie have ambitious plans to modernise the gang, leading to a power struggle.
This City is Ours boasts a star-studded cast, including Sean Bean, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Jack McMullen, Hannah Onslow and many more.
The BBC has confirmed that This City is Ours will hit our screens on Sunday, March 23. The show will be available on iPlayer first at 6am and will air on BBC One at 9pm, reports the Liverpool Echo.
But where exactly was ‘This City is Ours’ filmed and will we recognise its locations?
Where was This City Is Ours filmed?
This City is Ours is set in Merseyside and was filmed across the region. Film crews were spotted all over Merseyside in summer 2024 and during the first episode, locals will be able to spot locations from all over the city.
In the first episode, scenes are filmed on Hope Street and Exchange Flags in the city. Other scenes spotted in the first episode include a tense exchange at a restaurant on Ormskirk Road in Aintree.
Film crews descended on St Paul’s Square last August and September, transforming the area with an array of flower stalls for a glossy big budget production. James Nelson-Joyce, known for his role in A Thousands Blows, couldn’t be prouder of how Liverpool is showcased in the project.
Speaking at a Q&A session at Picturehouse at FACT, he gushed: “It’s a love letter to Liverpool, in a way.
“The city looks absolutely stunning and I’m just really proud of it”. He continued: “I hope the city watches it and it’s something they’re proud of. That’s all I hope for.”
The filming wasn’t confined to Liverpool, with additional scenes shot in sunny Marbella. Scouser Jack McMullen, who plays Sean Bean’s onscreen son Jamie Phelan, shared a hilarious anecdote about the legendary actor’s craving for gravy while filming in Spain.
During a Q&A session at Picturehouse at FACT, Jack had the audience in stitches as he mimicked Sean’s Sheffield accent, revealing: “I know it sounds like a stereotype, but he loves gravy. He was like, ‘there’s no gravy down there'”.
“I had a mate coming over. I had to ring him and say, ‘Listen, will you bring some gravy over for Sean Bean.’ This is not a joke.”
According to the Liverpool Film Office, the new BBC drama This City Is Ours has given a £9m boost to the local economy, thanks to investment from the Liverpool City Council’s Film Office via the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority LCR Production Fund.
Lynn Saunders, Head of Liverpool Film Office and Fund Manager, has been singing the praises of the new series, stating: “This City Is Ours is a fantastic example of how the LCR Production Fund has worked to not only draw in production but bring great benefit the local economy.
“The project has reported a total spend for the region at just under £9m which equates to just under £20 for each £1 spent of the Fund’s investment – which is an outstanding achievement.
“With a gripping script from creator and local writer Stephen Butchard and championing our homegrown talent, there’s certainly a special buzz around this project and we can’t wait to see how it plays out on the screen.”
This City Is Ours airs on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday, March 23