This City Is Ours Cast – Full List of Actors and Characters

The BBC’s new crime drama This City Is Ours arrived on screens in March 2025, quickly establishing itself as one of the most talked-about series of the year. Set in Liverpool, the eight-part series follows the Phelan family, a crime dynasty that controls the city’s cocaine trade, and the violent power struggle that erupts when its patriarch steps down.

Created by Stephen Butchard, known for The Last Kingdom, the show has drawn strong audience numbers. It achieved the BBC’s highest new drama launch ratings of 2025, and has been described by some commentators as “this year’s best crime drama.” A second series has already been confirmed, with filming beginning in October 2025.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the cast, characters, and production details of the series, drawn from verified sources including the BBC, Radio Times, and industry databases.

Who Is in the Main Cast of This City Is Ours?

For anyone interested in a similar deep dive into another organised crime saga, the Cast of the Penguin – Full List of Actors and Characters provides another comprehensive guide.

Key Insights About the Main Cast

• Sean Bean returns to BBC crime drama after his acclaimed role in Time.
• James Nelson-Joyce and Hannah Onslow are rising UK talents gaining wider recognition.
• The series spans 8 episodes in its first season, with a second 8-episode season already filming.
• The story is a fictional crime saga set in Liverpool, not directly based on a single true event.
• The show was commissioned by the BBC in February 2024, with filming beginning in May 2024.
• Filming took place primarily in Liverpool and Spain.

Quick Facts About the Series

Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan

Sean Bean plays Ronnie Phelan, the head of the Phelan crime family. Ronnie’s decision to retire from the drug trade sets the entire plot in motion, sparking a violent power struggle between his son Jamie and his trusted lieutenant, Michael Kavanagh. Bean is best known internationally for his roles in Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.

James Nelson-Joyce as Michael Kavanagh

James Nelson-Joyce portrays Michael Kavanagh, Ronnie’s right-hand man and the ambitious figure who challenges for control of the empire. A Liverpool native, Nelson-Joyce’s character is depicted as torn between the criminal life and his relationship with his girlfriend, Diana. His previous work includes This Is Going to Hurt.

Hannah Onslow as Diana Williams

Hannah Onslow plays Diana Williams, Michael’s girlfriend and a restaurant manager. Diana is a significant influence on Michael, encouraging him to leave the criminal world. Her mother, Lesley Williams, played by Leanne Best, is serving a life sentence for murdering Diana’s father.

Jack McMullen as Jamie Phelan

Jack McMullen plays Jamie Phelan, Ronnie’s volatile son and a senior gang member. Jamie sees himself as the natural successor to his father and is one of the main contestants for the throne. McMullen is known for his roles in Hijack and Ford v Ferrari.

Who Plays the Supporting Characters in This City Is Ours?

The supporting cast includes a number of established British actors and rising stars playing key roles in the Phelan family orbit.

Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan

Julie Graham plays Elaine Phelan, Ronnie’s wife and Jamie’s mother. Graham is known for her work in Shetland.

Mike Noble as Banksey

Mike Noble portrays Banksey (Peter “Banksey”), Michael’s right-hand man and enforcer. Noble’s credits include Shardlake and The Long Shadow.

Full Supporting Cast List

• Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Cheryl Crawford – wife of Davey Crawford; known for Derry Girls.
• Laura Aikman as Rachel Duffy – Jamie’s cousin and the gang’s accountant; known for Gavin & Stacey and Archie.
• Kevin Harvey as Bobby (Robert) Duffy – Rachel’s husband and senior gang member; known for Treason and Time.
• Stephen Walters as Davey Crawford – senior gang member and Cheryl’s husband; known for Slow Horses.
• Darci Shaw as Melissa Sullivan (or Phelan) – Jamie’s fiancée and mother of his baby son; known for Judy and A Thousand Blows.
• Bobby Schofield as Bonehead (Peter “Bonehead” Murphy) – Jamie’s right-hand man and enforcer; known for SAS Rogue Heroes and The Suspect.
• Daniel Cerqueira as Ricardo Guzman – senior representative of the Colombian cartel supplying cocaine; murdered at the end of series 1.
• Leanne Best as Lesley Williams – Diana’s mother, serving life for murder.
• Adam Abbou as Freddie – Banksey’s son who assists gang activities.

What Characters Are Featured in This City Is Ours?

Ronnie Phelan – the Crime Family Leader

Ronnie Phelan is the patriarch of the Phelan family and the head of the Liverpool-based cocaine operation. His announcement of retirement triggers the central conflict of the series, as both his son and his lieutenant vie for control.

Michael Kavanagh – Ronnie’s Right-Hand Man

Michael is Ronnie’s most trusted associate and a central figure in the gang. He is ambitious and sees himself as a potential successor, but is also portrayed as a man torn between his loyalty to the family business and his desire for a normal life with Diana.

Diana Williams – a Restraining Influence

Diana is Michael’s girlfriend and works as a restaurant manager. She represents a path away from crime for Michael believed by some to be a potential source of redemption for his character.

Jamie Phelan – the Volatile Heir

Jamie is Ronnie’s son and a senior member of the gang. He believes the empire should be his by birthright and is portrayed as more volatile and impulsive than his rival Michael.

How Many Episodes of This City Is Ours Are There?

The first series of This City Is Ours consists of 8 episodes. It premiered on March 23, 2025, airing weekly on Sundays on BBC One. All episodes were made available to stream on BBC iPlayer from the premiere day.

The plot follows the power struggle, betrayals, and cocaine trade wars, ending with the murder of cartel representative Ricardo Guzman. For those interested in the actors, a Zoe Saldana biography can be found here. Zoe Saldana biography

A second series of 8 episodes has been confirmed. Filming for series 2 commenced in October 2025, and it will pick up directly from the series 1 cliffhanger, escalating gang rivalries with the introduction of new characters. The second series is expected to air in 2026.

Is This City Is Ours Based on a True Story?

This City Is Ours is a fictional crime drama. It is not a direct adaptation of a specific true story. The creator, Stephen Butchard, has written an original narrative about a fictional Liverpool crime family.

Filming Locations

The series was filmed primarily in Liverpool, which serves as the core setting for the story, and in Spain.

The Genre Context

As a gritty British crime drama led by Sean Bean, the show sits alongside series like Peaky Blinders and Gangs of London in the broader landscape of gangster sagas, though its Liverpool setting gives it a distinct identity from many London-centric productions.

Key Milestones in the Series’ Development

1. February 2024 – Series commissioned by the BBC.
2. May 2024 – Filming begins in Liverpool; cast announced.
3. March 23, 2025 – Series premieres on BBC One. All episodes available on BBC iPlayer.
4. October 2025 – Filming for the second series begins.
5. 2026 (expected) – Second series of 8 episodes scheduled to air.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear About the Series

As of early 2025, the exact release date for the first episode of the second series has not been confirmed. Information about potential future seasons beyond the 16 ordered episodes is not available from official sources.

Why This City Is Ours Matters in the Crime Drama Landscape

With Sean Bean headlining, the show taps into the ongoing popularity of gritty British crime dramas. Comparisons to Peaky Blinders and Gangs of London are unsurprising given the subject matter and tone. The casting of relative newcomers like James Nelson-Joyce and Hannah Onslow alongside established names suggests the BBC is blending star power with fresh talent. The Liverpool setting also gives the series a distinct geographic identity that differentiates it from many London-centric crime dramas.

Official Statements and Verified Sources

“This City Is Ours is a gripping new crime saga set in Liverpool…”

— BBC Media Centre

“Ronnie is a complex character…”

— Sean Bean, in a Radio Times interview

“A crime family saga following the Phelan clan…”

— IMDb synopsis

What’s Next for This City Is Ours?

The first series is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer. A second series of eight episodes is in production, having begun filming in October 2025. It will pick up directly from the events of the series 1 finale over the murder of Ricardo Guzman, with new characters Ozzie Thompson and Felipe Guzman entering the story. For a similar deep dive into another TV production, readers may also be interested in Smoke (TV Series) – Cast, Plot, Episodes & Where to Watch.

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