This City Is Ours star explains Diana's huge "risk-averse" choice and working with Money Heist icon

Diana was at a crossroads in episode 2, as Cheryl pursued a bold escape plan.

Published: Monday, 26 October 2026 at 10:00 pm

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This City Is Ours star Hannah Onslow has addressed Diana's questionable decision to remain a hostage of Felipe (Álvaro Morte) in the second episode of season 2.

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The latest episodes in the hit crime thriller began with Diana and Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) having a blissful time on a trip to Spain, but things soon took a dark turn.

The couple, plus Cheryl (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), were ambushed by cartel boss Felipe, seeking answers about the killing of his brother, Ricardo (Daniel Cerqueira), in Liverpool.

Michael was sent back to his home city to uncover what happened, while Diana and Cheryl were held by Felipe as leverage to keep him loyal.

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In episode 2, which premiered on BBC One tonight, Cheryl boldly escaped as part of a risky plan that she had pressured Diana to follow – but ultimately, her fellow captive chose to remain.

In an interview with Radio Times, Onslow said that "the choice got taken away from" Diana, in part due to Cheryl's haphazard actions as well as Felipe's cruel withholding of her IVF medication.

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That said, the actor also acknowledged that Diana "is risk-averse and she does want normality," even in high-pressure scenarios like that which she now finds herself.

"She did choose to be with Michael," continued Onslow. "She's not with a librarian... She has chosen someone that is in this [criminal] world. There is always that risk there.

"I don't think the law really protected her when she was younger, anyway," she explained, referring to Diana's traumatic upbringing in an abusive household, "so I think there is a certain part of her which is a bit against it."

She added: "It didn't surprise me at all that she would be with someone [like Michael], but I think she has no choice but to lean into the danger."

Onslow has the most scenes with Money Heist alum and This City Is Ours season 2 addition Álvaro Morte, who she praises as both a scene partner and a key architect of Felipe's character.

Felipe (Álvaro Morte) in This City is Ours season 2; he is stood in a garden, holding his hand to his face as he is deep in thought

Felipe (Álvaro Morte) in This City is Ours season 2. BBC/Leftbank Pictures/James Stack

"I'd seen Money Heist [but] I didn't realise quite how famous he was until we were filming in Spain, and you'd go into a corner shop and there would be a bobblehead of him," recalled Onslow.

"But he was amazing to work with. He loves the show anyway, and I think what he brought to Felipe was really interesting.

"It was very different than what was originally on the paper. So what he had created with Stephen; with me; with James; with everyone; it was really interesting."

Onslow added: "It brought a whole other different flavour to the show. I think it's very dark and he plays it brilliantly."

Felipe isn't the only menace for Michael and the Phelan family to contend with in season 2, with Endeavour star Shaun Evans also joining in the threatening role of Ozzie Thompson.

This City Is Ours season 2 is out now on BBC iPlayer. Episodes air Sundays and Mondays on BBC One.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of David Craig, smiling against a lime green background.

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.

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