BBC fans are already raving over ‘one of the best crime dramas in years’
The new gangland drama has received rave reviews
The BBC has released eight episodes of a new crime thriller, and viewers are already calling it ‘one of the best dramas they’ve seen in years’.
Dubbed as the Scouse take on The Sopranos, This City Is Ours stars Sean Bean as a Liverpool drug king whose decision to retire kicks off a battle between Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) and his son Jamie (Jack McMullen).
As Jamie has plans to cut Michael out of their gang, Michael has problems of his own as he falls in love with Diana Williams (Hannah Onslow) and tries to start a family with her using IVF.
However, after a shipment bringing cocaine from Columbia goes missing, the separate storylines slowly descend into chaos as the gang realise their drug empire is under attack.
Starring Derry Girls actress Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Gavin and Stacey’s Laura Aikman as well, fans of the show have hailed its ‘brilliant’ acting and ‘excellent plot twists’.
Writing a review on Google, James F Manning said: ‘This is a brilliant crime drama. James Nelson-Joyce is brilliant as Michael Kavanagh, the right-hand man of Ronnie Phelan who is head of one of the most powerful crime families in Liverpool.
Jamie Phelan stars in the eight-part series (Picture: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack) Comment nowWhat do you think of This City Is Ours so far?Comment Now‘Saorise-Monica Jackson, after seeing her in comedies it’s nice to see she can do serious roles as well.’
Fellow fan Simon added: ‘Wow! Way more to this than I expected and such an exciting edge of your seat watch. Excellent story and plot twists. Acting from all of the cast is top notch. Highly recommended!’
Jacqui Reddey also said: ‘WOW WOW fantastic acting. Kept me on the edge of my seat, haven’t shouted at the TV in a long time!
‘Watched three episodes and had a row with hubby about watching the next one but it was one in the morning. Just brilliant.’
Richie, writing online, added: ‘Watched the whole lot on iPlayer. Got to say it was fantastic. Lots of plot turns and great acting from all involved. One of the best dramas I’ve seen in years.’
Gavin and Stacey’s Laura Aikman also stars (Picture: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack)It appears the drama is not only having an impact on its fans.
It was also revealed that the gangland drama has boosted Liverpool’s economy by £9,000,000 following an investment from Liverpool City Region’s Production Fund (LCR), its city council has confirmed.
The cast and crew of This City Is Ours spent 17 weeks filming in Liverpool, creating around 300 jobs for local people and supporting 17 trainees and two apprentices.
Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: ‘The LCR Production Fund isn’t just bringing millions into our local economy—it’s opening doors for local people, giving them life-changing opportunities and helping them get a foot in the door of the industry.
‘By backing projects like This City Is Ours, alongside the world-class talent and infrastructure we’ve got here, we’re making sure our region isn’t just part of the conversation.
‘We’re leading it by working to cement the region as the “Hollywood of the North”.’
Fans have hailed Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica’s performance in the new drama (Picture: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack)Earlier this month, Laura also told the Metro about her ability to pull off a Liverpool accent, despite being born in London.
She said: ‘I’ve got an ear for accents, but I’m very aware that this is one of those accents that if you get wrong, you’ll never hear the end of it from Scousers so I was slightly scared.
‘Everyone was really kind about respectfully telling you if you got a sound wrong or whatever, they would let you know.’
Describing the series, she added: ‘It’s like [Succession] in that battle for power, between all of these people who have previously been really close.
‘It’s interesting to see how quickly they can turn against each other under certain circumstances.’
This City is Ours is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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