BBC COMMISSIONS THIRD SERIES OF THIS CITY IS OURS

The BBC has commissioned a third series of the Liverpool crime drama This City is Ours before its second series begins on 25 October. The broadcaster says filming will take place primarily in Liverpool in 2027. Stephen Butchard created and wrote the drama, which Left Bank Pictures produces. Butchard called the decision a “fantastic early commission” and said: “I hope you enjoy series two as much as we enjoyed making it - can't wait to do it all over again!”

James Nelson-Joyce returns for the second series as Michael Kavanagh, alongside Hannah Onslow as his partner, Diana Williams. Shaun Evans joins the cast as Ozzie Thompson, a former gangster recently released from prison, while Álvaro Morte plays Felipe. The new episodes begin with Michael and Diana drawn back from Spain to answer questions about Ricardo’s death. In Liverpool, a gangster from Ronnie Phelan’s era seeks compensation from the firm as tensions rise among its remaining members. Jack McMullen, Julie Graham and Saoirse-Monica Jackson also return as Jamie Phelan, Elaine Phelan and Cheryl Crawford.

The first series launched in March 2025 and drew an average of 6.3 million viewers, according to the BBC. The broadcaster says its opening episode reached more than 8.4 million viewers, compared with an initial overnight audience of 1.9 million. It also says almost three million people streamed the finale before its BBC One broadcast in May. The series received BAFTA Television Award nominations for best drama and leading actor for Nelson-Joyce. Series two will arrive on BBC iPlayer on 25 October and air on BBC One at 9pm on Sundays and Mondays; the BBC has not announced casting for series three.