This City Is Ours star Sean Bean has opened up about filming the new BBC series, including a moment that left him feeling emotional

This City Is Ours star Sean Bean has confessed to feeling “really upset” when filming wrapped up for the BBC series.

The Game of Thrones actor takes on the role of Ronnie Phelan in the Liverpool-set drama, which centres around Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce), whose life has long been entangled with organised crime, alongside his partner Ronnie.

However, Michael’s world is turned upside down when he meets Diana (Hannah Onslow), with the couple beginning to envision a future that’s free from crime.

Tensions soon rise when a cocaine shipment from Colombia goes missing, exposing cracks in Michael’s drug empire, reports the Liverpool Echo.

“This City explores what happens when Ronnie’s son Jamie (Jack McMullen) decides he wants to inherit their kingdom and that there is no longer a place for Michael at the table,” the official synopsis continues.

“Both Michael and Jamie have bold ideas to modernise the gang and they will battle for control of it. But Michael’s biggest battle will be to save the woman he loves and the child he has always wanted.”

The logline concludes: “This is a story about family and love destroyed and corrupted by ambition, pride and greed. It’s a story about power: what we will do to secure and keep it.”

Speaking to the BBC, Sean recently revealed that his time working on the series was so enjoyable that he felt a deep sense of disappointment when filming came to a close.

“It was one of the most enjoyable series I have been involved with, and I know people say that at the end of working on a particular project, but I can genuinely say I personally did not want it to end,” he said.

“I walked away from the set really upset. I remember feeling this genuine sense of loss, but obviously I had a sense of great satisfaction because this was mould-breaking television.”

Sean further praised the series, saying: “I’m convinced it will become a classic piece of drama. It is very well written and structured, everything you see in episode one resonates in the whole series through to episode eight. All the characters are so well defined, it was a joy to work on and be a part of.”

The series, created by Stephen Butchard of The Last Kingdom fame, boasts an impressive cast, including Saoirse-Monica Jackson from Derry Girls, Laura Aikman from Gavin & Stacey, Stephen Walters, Darci Shaw, and Julie Graham.

Following the release of all episodes on BBC iPlayer last week, viewers took to social media to share their thoughts after binge-watching the series.

One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “#ThisCityIsOurs is the best crime drama I’ve watched in a while, it had me hooked!!” with another adding: “WOW #ThisCityIsOurs on BBC is absolutely brilliant. 2 episodes in and I am already hooked! Cracking TV! It’s a must watch.”

A third viewer enthused: “Completed #ThisCityIsOurs… had me hooked from the first episode, stunning production. Absolutely sublime acting from everyone, great music and seeing the City of Liverpool just made it better. I suspect there may be a series 2.”

This City Is Ours is available to stream on BBC iPlayer