"This City Is Ours," a crime drama epic meticulously filmed across the vibrant landscapes of Liverpool and Spain, arrives with a creative lineage that promises to captivate. The series boasts an impressive lineup led by Sean Bean and is produced by Left Bank Pictures, the esteemed team behind "The Crown." From 6 a.m. London time on Sunday, all episodes will unfold exclusively on the BBC iPlayer streaming service, with the drama subsequently making its weekly debut on BBC One at 9 p.m. that very evening. Sony Pictures Television takes charge of distributing this gripping series on an international scale.
Helmed by Stephen Butchard, the talented mind behind "The Good Mothers," "The Last Kingdom," and "Five Daughters," the eight-episode saga was brought to life through the adept direction of Saul Dibb ("The Salisbury Poisonings," "The Sixth Commandment") and John Hayes ("Nightsleeper," "Dublin Murders").
Sean Bean stars as Ronnie Phelan, the formidable leader of a crime syndicate, with James Nelson-Joyce ("Bird," "A Thousand Blows") portraying his loyal friend Michael Kavanagh. Hannah Onslow ("Empire of Light," "This Is Going to Hurt") shines as Diana Williams, Michael's beloved partner, while Jack McMullen ("Hijack," "Ford v Ferrari") embodies Ronnie's son, Jamie Phelan. Julie Graham ("Shetland," "Time") delivers a powerful performance as Elaine Phelan, Ronnie's wife and the matriarch of the Phelan family.
The narrative weaves the tale of Michael, a man steeped in organized crime throughout his adult life, who suddenly finds himself at a love's crossroads. According to the synopsis, "For the first time in his life, Michael is in love," with Diana, amidst the impending collapse of his criminal endeavors. Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of years of successful cocaine smuggling, directly from Colombia, orchestrated by Michael and his compatriot Ronnie. However, when a shipment goes awry, they realize their criminal empire is under siege.
During a panel session at the London TV Screenings, Nelson-Joyce and fellow cast members reflected on their experience working on "This City Is Ours." Speaking of his collaboration with Bean, with whom he also starred in "Time," Nelson-Joyce said, "Sean is a gentleman. We were incredibly fortunate to have such a cohesive team. We became friends, and filming in Spain for the first four weeks only strengthened our bond. We were all housed together, and that quickly fostered a sense of family. There was mutual respect, especially from me towards Sean. How could one not admire him? Portraying a fatherly figure to him was natural, thanks to the brilliant script that brought it all to life."
Nelson-Joyce further noted that the show's themes resonate universally, appealing to a diverse audience. "We've all made choices we're not proud of, yet we all cherish relationships," he shared. "Unfortunately for Michael, he finds himself at a pivotal juncture in life."
The multifaceted nature of the characters imparts a fascinating depth to their portrayals for actors, and it is our earnest hope that this complexity captivates audiences as well, he signaled. "Every individual is layered with intricacies," Nelson-Joyce elaborated. "I believe this is the allure of exceptional writing, precisely what Stephen has achieved. Consider watching Walter White in 'Breaking Bad' or Tony Soprano in 'The Sopranos'; despite their flawed deeds, you find yourself cheering them on. We are all enraptured by Walter White. We are all enchanted by Tony Soprano."
When questioned about the pivotal roles religion and the church play in 'This City Is Ours,' amidst observations on the enduring significance of faith groups within Liverpool's social tapestry, the creative team weighed in. "Faith is becoming an increasingly rare commodity among people."argued writer Butchard. "Belief in God is waning, yet churches continue to serve as venues for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. They almost serve as a symbolic anchor, even if they primarily function as community gathering points in name only. The need for a communal space remains paramount."
The Liverpool accent played a crucial role for both the cast and the creative ensemble. "We were fortunate to have an exceptional voice and dialect coach [Helen Ashton], and having actors from Liverpool [like Nelson-Joyce] around to guide us was invaluable," Julie Graham reminisced. "Constantly hearing that accent was immensely helpful. And our sound technician Jimmy, a true scouser [a native of Liverpool], was outstanding."
Onslow also drew inspiration from a widely watched TV show featuring Liverpudlians. "I watched clips from 'Love Island' too," she shared. "It was really beneficial."
Graham then touched upon a unique aspect of the local dialect. "The women in Liverpool possess a distinct accent," she noted. "It is the sole accent in the entire U.K. where the speech patterns of men and women diverge. There are myriad subtleties. Furthermore, generational differences also play a part."
Butchard also underscored the importance of infusing comedic elements into 'This City Is Ours.' "These are the people we're portraying," he said, referring to the criminal family setting. "Hence, it's representative. Honestly, with certain jokes, we had to tread carefully because I feared they might detract from the dramatic moments. Nevertheless, I always strive to incorporate humor, ensuring it resonates authentically with the characters. It's an integral part of their world, particularly given the darker aspects they encounter."
The series secured funding from the Liverpool City Council's Film Office through its Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCR) Production Fund. The film office boasts that the production has already infused £9.0 million ($11.7 million) into the Liverpool City region's economy.
