You heard right — the BBC’s breakout hit This City Is Ours is officially returning for a second season, and fans are losing their minds! Dubbed the “Scouse Sopranos” and hailed as “the next Line of Duty… but grittier,” this Liverpool-set crime thriller has taken the UK by storm, racking up over 6.6 million viewers for its premiere episode alone and earning a stellar 91% Rotten Tomatoes score. With its ruthless twists, unforgettable characters, and a pulse-pounding pace that leaves you gasping, This City Is Ours has redefined the crime drama genre. The BBC’s announcement on May 11, 2025, confirmed that Season 2 is on the way, promising even more chaos, betrayal, and heartbreak in Liverpool’s criminal underworld. If you thought Season 1 was intense, buckle up—here’s why Season 2 is set to raise the stakes and why fans are already calling it a must-watch. 💥

A Liverpool Crime Saga That Grips Like No Other 🩸

Launched on March 23, 2025, on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, This City Is Ours is a raw, character-driven epic created by Stephen Butchard (The Last Kingdom, The Good Mothers). Set against the gritty backdrop of Liverpool, the eight-episode first season follows Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce), a lifelong criminal who’s spent years trafficking cocaine alongside his mentor and gang boss, Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean). But when Michael falls in love with Diana Williams (Hannah Onslow), he begins to dream of a life beyond crime—a dream that’s shattered when a missing cocaine shipment sparks a brutal power struggle within the Phelan family.

The show’s premise is simple yet devastating: ambition, pride, and greed tear apart a family and their criminal empire. Ronnie’s son, Jamie Phelan (Jack McMullen), wants to seize control, sidelining Michael and igniting a war for the gang’s future. What unfolds is a masterclass in storytelling, blending visceral violence with emotional depth. From golf buggy chases set to Apocalypse Now’s Wagnerian score to quiet moments of heartbreak, This City Is Ours balances spectacle and soul. Fans on X have called it “elite” and “the best crime series since Kin,” with one viewer raving, “It’s absolutely outstanding from start to finish.” With almost 3 million streams of the Season 1 finale on iPlayer before its BBC One airing, it’s no wonder the BBC greenlit a second season.

Why It’s Being Compared to Line of Duty (and Then Some) 👀

Line of Duty, Jed Mercurio’s iconic police procedural, set the bar for British crime dramas with its labyrinthine plots and shocking reveals. But This City Is Ours takes a different approach, trading AC-12’s interrogation rooms for Liverpool’s mean streets and focusing on criminals rather than cops. Fans argue it outdoes Line of Duty with its raw intensity and moral ambiguity. As one X user put it, “Probably the best show the BBC have made since Line of Duty… #ThisCityIsOurs. Gripping, and the finale was outstanding.”

Unlike Line of Duty’s focus on institutional corruption, This City Is Ours dives into the personal toll of crime. Michael’s love for Diana and his desire for a family make him a tragic antihero, while the Phelan family’s infighting—fueled by Ronnie’s looming retirement—echoes The Sopranos more than Peaky Blinders. The show’s Liverpool setting, with its vibrant Scouse slang (think “lemo” for cocaine) and cultural authenticity, adds a layer of grit that feels worlds apart from Line of Duty’s polished intensity. Critics have praised its “classy” execution, with Red Online calling it “a story about family and love destroyed and corrupted by ambition, pride, and greed.”

Season 1’s twists—like a major character’s shocking death in episode two—left fans reeling, with some questioning the logistics of the plot (e.g., “How did they get the death certificate?”). Yet, these bold choices fueled its viral appeal, including a line-dancing craze inspired by the Phelan family’s anthem, House of Bamboo. With Season 2 promising “escalated gang rivalries and betrayals” and “a lot of unfinished business,” expect the stakes to soar even higher.

A Cast That Steals the Show 🌟

The ensemble cast is a major reason for This City Is Ours’s success. Sean Bean, known for Game of Thrones and Time, delivers a commanding performance as Ronnie Phelan, the aging crime boss whose hints at retirement spark chaos. Despite fan outrage over his character’s early exit, reports confirm Bean will return in Season 2, possibly via flashbacks exploring Ronnie’s past. James Nelson-Joyce, a Liverpool native, shines as Michael Kavanagh, bringing a raw vulnerability to a man torn between love and loyalty. Critics have even touted him as a potential James Bond, a testament to his magnetic presence.

Hannah Onslow (Empire of Light) is revelatory as Diana, whose relationship with Michael anchors the show’s emotional core. Her complex motives—loving a criminal while grappling with his world—sparked fan debates, with one X post questioning, “How can Diana get with Michael knowing exactly what he is and then being upset about it?” Jack McMullen (Hijack) is electrifying as Jamie, whose ambition makes him a formidable foe, while Julie Graham (Shetland) grounds the chaos as Elaine Phelan, the family’s steely matriarch.

The supporting cast, including Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Derry Girls), Laura Aikman (Gavin & Stacey), and Darci Shaw (Judy), adds depth, with local actors like Bobby Schofield and Stephen Walters enhancing the show’s Liverpool authenticity. Filmed in the city and parts of Spain, the production boosted Liverpool’s economy by £9m, cementing its status as a love letter to the region.

Season 1’s Explosive Impact and What’s Next 💣

Season 1 was a cultural phenomenon, becoming the BBC’s most-watched new drama of 2025 with 6.6 million viewers for its opener, tripling its initial overnight figure of 1.9 million. Its iPlayer success—nearly 3 million streamed the finale early—proved its binge-worthy appeal. Critics lauded its “thrilling, character-driven drama,” with Digital Spy noting its 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and HELLO! comparing it to Kin and The Gentlemen.

The season ended with a tumultuous finale that left fans clamoring for more. Executive producer Sian McWilliams teased that Season 2 will dive into “new levels” of gang rivalries, with “unfinished business” driving the narrative. Stephen Butchard, the show’s creator, expressed gratitude for the “incredibly positive response,” hinting at deeper exploration of the characters fans have fallen in love with. Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, called it a “classy” triumph, adding, “Things are only just getting started for this very special series.”

While plot details remain under wraps, speculation is rife about a flashback episode delving into Ronnie Phelan’s history, especially given Sean Bean’s confirmed return. The Season 1 cliffhanger, involving betrayals and a power vacuum, sets the stage for Michael and Jamie’s battle to intensify, with Diana’s role likely to be pivotal. Fans on X are buzzing, with one posting, “Best drama in a while, bravo to the BBC for #ThisCityIsOurs. Just need another series of #Kin now to keep up the gangster TV quota.”

Why It’s a Must-Watch for Crime Drama Fans 📺

This City Is Ours stands out in a crowded genre by blending the emotional stakes of The Sopranos with the visceral thrills of Gangs of London. Its Liverpool setting, infused with local slang and culture, feels authentic and immersive, while its focus on love and family adds a universal resonance. Unlike Line of Duty’s puzzle-box mysteries, This City Is Ours thrives on character-driven drama, making every betrayal and loss hit harder.

The show’s pacing is relentless, with each 60-minute episode packed with shocks—like a cocaine deal gone wrong or a brutal murder—that keep you on edge. Yet, it’s the quieter moments, like Michael and Diana’s tender scenes, that give the series heart. For fans of Peaky Blinders or Kin, it offers a similar mix of grit and glamour, but its Scouse identity makes it unique. As Den of Geek noted, it’s “well-suited to fans of Gangs of London and Peaky Blinders,” with a cast and story that demand attention.

How to Catch Up and What to Expect 🕒

Season 1 is available to stream in full on BBC iPlayer, with all eight episodes ready for a binge. If you’re new to the series, expect a rollercoaster of emotions, from edge-of-your-seat action to gut-wrenching drama. The show’s Scouse slang (e.g., “beak” for cocaine) and Liverpool vibe might take a moment to sink in, but subtitles help, and the authenticity is part of its charm.

Season 2, also set for eight episodes, will be produced by Left Bank Pictures, with Stephen Butchard returning as lead writer. While no release date has been confirmed, filming is expected to start soon, given the May 2024 wrap for Season 1. Sony Pictures Television will distribute internationally, so global fans can join the frenzy. Expect more Marbella connections, escalating gang wars, and deeper dives into the Phelan family’s psyche.

Final Verdict: A Crime Thriller That Redefines the Genre 🏆

This City Is Ours isn’t just another crime drama—it’s a cultural juggernaut that’s earned its “Scouse Sopranos” moniker. With a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, a powerhouse cast, and a story that blends heart and havoc, it’s no surprise fans are comparing it to Line of Duty’s glory days. Season 1’s success—6.6 million viewers and counting—proves its universal appeal, while Season 2’s promise of “escalated betrayals” has us counting the days.

Whether you’re drawn to Michael’s tragic quest for redemption, the Phelan family’s brutal power plays, or Liverpool’s vivid backdrop, This City Is Ours delivers on every front. As one fan tweeted, “Oh my god—this is the best thing I’ve seen on TV for years. We are BEREFT!!!” Dive into Season 1 on BBC iPlayer now, and prepare for a Season 2 that’s poised to outdo even Line of Duty’s wildest moments. This is one crime saga you can’t afford to miss. 😱🔥