The BBC’s gritty crime drama This City Is Ours is officially charging back onto screens with a second series, and the latest updates have fans buzzing with anticipation. Filming for the new season kicked off in October 2025 and continues into early 2026, with production spanning Liverpool’s streets and locations in Spain. The show, which premiered in March 2025 and quickly became the BBC’s most-watched new drama of the year with an average of 5.8 million viewers per episode, has built a loyal following for its raw portrayal of loyalty, betrayal, and ambition within a Liverpool-based organized crime family.

At its core, This City Is Ours follows Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce), a seasoned fixer and longtime member of the Phelan gang, who finds himself torn between his criminal world and a budding romance with Diana Williams (Hannah Onslow). The first series explored Michael’s internal conflict as he contemplated stepping away from the life, especially after falling deeply in love with Diana and dreaming of a future that includes a family. Complicating matters was the power vacuum left by the death of gang patriarch Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean), whose murder in the finale set off a chain reaction of rivalries, revenge plots, and shifting alliances. The show blended intense action with moments of dark humor, sharp dialogue, and authentic Scouse flavor, earning praise for its grounded storytelling and strong ensemble performances.

Season one wrapped with explosive consequences: Ronnie’s demise, a disrupted cocaine shipment from Colombia, and Michael’s fragile attempts to walk away from the gang. The betrayal from within the crew and the involvement of international cartel elements left plenty of threads dangling, priming the narrative for even higher stakes in series two. While plot specifics for the new season remain closely guarded, the BBC has teased that the story will expand the world significantly, delving deeper into the fallout from the first series’ events and introducing fresh conflicts that could upend everything viewers thought they knew.

One of the biggest draws for season two is the arrival of high-profile new cast members set to inject fresh energy and unpredictability. Shaun Evans, best known for his starring role in Endeavour, joins as Ozzie Thompson, a former gangster recently released from prison. His character is poised to stir old rivalries and challenge the fragile power structure left in Ronnie’s wake. Joining him is Álvaro Morte, the Spanish actor famous for Money Heist and The Wheel of Time, who plays Felipe Guzman—a key figure in the Colombian cartel and the vengeful younger brother of Ricardo, whose murder closed out season one. These additions promise international intrigue, heightened cartel threats, and potentially explosive confrontations that could drag Michael and his crew into dangerous new territory.

This City is Ours series 2 confirmed for iPlayer and BBC One

Returning cast members anchor the story with familiar faces and unresolved arcs. James Nelson-Joyce reprises Michael Kavanagh, whose journey from loyal enforcer to a man desperate for a legitimate life will likely face its toughest tests yet. Hannah Onslow returns as Diana Williams, Michael’s partner whose relationship with him serves as both motivation and vulnerability. Jack McMullen is back as Jamie Phelan, the volatile and suspicious family member whose rogue actions drove much of the first-season tension. Mike Noble reprises Banksey, Julie Graham returns as Elaine Phelan—the grieving widow of Ronnie—and Saoirse-Monica Jackson continues as Cheryl Crawford. Additional returning players include Adam Abbou as Freddie, Laura Aikman as Rachel Duffy, Kevin Harvey as Bobby Duffy, and Darci Shaw as Melissa Sullivan, ensuring the core ensemble remains intact amid the chaos.

Production details highlight the show’s commitment to authenticity. Filming has taken place across Liverpool locations, capturing the city’s gritty urban landscape and waterfront vibes that defined the first series. Some sequences have shifted to Spain, emphasizing the international drug trade elements and adding visual contrast to the Scouse setting. The series is produced by Left Bank Pictures, the team behind acclaimed dramas like The Crown, with creator Stephen Butchard at the helm, promising the same blend of tense drama, character depth, and occasional wry humor that made season one a standout.

The renewal came swiftly after the first series’ strong performance, with the BBC confirming it in May 2025. Early buzz suggests season two will not hold back, ramping up the betrayals, moral dilemmas, and high-stakes action while exploring themes of legacy, redemption, and the cost of loyalty. With the power struggles intensifying and new players entering the fray, alliances could shatter, old scores may resurface, and Michael’s dream of escape might prove more elusive than ever.

As production rolls on, excitement continues to build for what promises to be an even more gripping chapter. This City Is Ours has already established itself as a must-watch for fans of sophisticated crime sagas like The Sopranos or Peaky Blinders, blending regional authenticity with universal themes of power and family. When it returns to BBC One and iPlayer—likely later in 2026—the drama is set to deliver the kind of explosive storytelling that could redefine the series and leave audiences reeling once again.