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- This City Is Ours season 2 unveils first-look images as dramatic BBC gangster series returns
This City Is Ours season 2 unveils first-look images as dramatic BBC gangster series returns
More life-or-death choices await as the hit crime thriller returns.
BBC / Leftbank Pictures / James Stack
- David Craig
Published: Thursday, 13 August 2026 at 12:04 pm
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This City is Ours is headed back to BBC One and iPlayer this autumn, with a slew of first-look images giving fans a glimpse at what's in store.
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The crime drama introduced viewers to the Phelan family, whose vice-like grip over the illegal drug trade in Liverpool was threatened by the murder of patriarch Ronnie (Sean Bean).
The devastating loss sparked chaos as Ronnie's immature son, Jamie (Jack McMullen), and his trusted right-hand man Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) went to war over who should inherit the empire.
They might well be the least of each other's worries in season 2, as a dangerous new player emerges seeking retribution over a shock killing that could change everything.
Felipe (Álvaro Morte) in This City is Ours season 2. BBC/Leftbank Pictures/James Stack
Álvaro Morte, best known as The Professor in Netflix's smash-hit Money Heist, is one of two high-profile additions to the cast.
He plays Felipe, the brother of the Phelan's late drug supplier, Ricardo (Daniel Cerqueira), who was impulsively killed by Michael's close ally Banksey at the tail-end of season 1.
Banksey (Mike Noble) in This City is Ours season 2. BBC/Leftbank Pictures/Kerry Spicer
As the BBC synopsis teases, Michael and his fiancé, Diana (Hannah Onslow), will be "dragged back into the fold to answer questions around Ricardo's death" – but how far will they be willing to go to protect their trusted friend?
Suffice it to say, Banksey is in a precarious place, as evidenced by a first-look image showing the competent fixer with a severely bruised face (above).
Jamie Phelan (Jack McMullen) in This City is Ours season 2. BBC/Leftbank Pictures/James Stack
More photos re-introduce loose cannon Jamie and his mother, Elaine (Julie Graham), who shifted allegiance toward her wayward son after learning that Michael was behind her husband's violent death.
Below, Elaine is spotted in what might be a graveyard, looking on high alert and wielding a pistol. The next image may reveal the source of her concern.
Elaine Phelan (Julie Graham) in This City is Ours season 2. BBC/Leftbank Pictures/James Stack
As previously announced, Endeavour alum Shaun Evans is the other big-name recruit for This City is Ours season 2 as Ozzie Thompson, a former accomplice of the Phelan family who returns to Liverpool's underworld after serving a prison sentence.
Alas, it's not a friendly reunion – he'll be seeking "compensation" for his time behind bars.
Ozzie Thompson (Shaun Evans) in This City is Ours season 2. BBC/Leftbank Pictures/James Stack
Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson reprises her role as Cheryl, who was left grappling for influence after her unreliable husband, Davey (Stephen Walters), was murdered in the show's opening episodes.
Not to be underestimated, Cheryl is something of a wild card, whose interventions could potentially turn the tide of this new chapter.
Cheryl (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) in This City is Ours season 2. BBC/Leftbank Pictures/James Stack
Rounding out the power players are married couple Bobby (Kevin Harvey) and Rachel (Laura Aikman), the latter of whom is Ronnie and Elaine's niece, who has been eager for more responsibility over the family's criminal enterprise.
Bobby Duffy (Kevin Harvey) in This City is Ours season 2. BBC/Leftbank Pictures/James Stack
Rachel's skills lie in accounting, seen below tallying up the family's cash with Melissa (Darci Shaw), the long-suffering wife of negligent Jamie.
The marriage between the two was never exactly warm in season 1, but relations hit a new low when Jamie's posturing put their newborn baby in grave danger. Fortunately, the infant was rescued, but the psychological trauma will have left a mark.
Rachel (Laura Aikman) and Melissa (Darci Shaw) in This City is Ours season 2. BBC/Leftbank Pictures/James Stack
From the mind of The Last Kingdom and Shardlake screenwriter Stephen Butchard, This City is Ours became a word-of-mouth hit for the BBC.
After a somewhat soft overnight launch on linear television (1.9 million), viewers flocked to catch up with the buzzy title on iPlayer, growing viewership of the first episode to an impressive 8.2 million.
Hopes are high for an even bigger follow-up. We'll bring you further updates on launch plans for This City is Ours as they come in.
This City is Ours season 2 is coming to BBC One and iPlayer this autumn.
Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
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Authors
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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