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Will there be a season 3 of This City Is Ours?

The acclaimed crime drama has been renewed, with filming due to start next year.

Michael and Diana sit in the front seats of a car while taking a phone call on loudspeaker

BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack

Published: Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 3:58 pm

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Warning: This article contains spoilers for This City Is Ours season 2.

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If you've already binged through the second season of This City Is Ours, then rest assured that the acclaimed crime drama will return for a third entry.

The BBC confirmed the commission before a single episode of season 2 had dropped, which is a flattering vote of confidence in writer Stephen Butchard's thrilling saga.

James Nelson-Joyce will return as Michael Kavanagh, a former fixer for the Phelan crime family, who sent Liverpool's criminal underworld spiralling when he killed patriarch Ronnie (Sean Bean).

In season 2, he was reluctantly dragged back into a battle for control of the city, as best pal Banksey (Mike Noble) found himself up against the Phelans – with devastating consequences for all involved.

A perilous new status quo was established in the season 2 ending, which is sure to leave fans itching to find out what happens next.

If you're as excited as we are, here's everything we know about This City Is Ours season 3 on BBC One and iPlayer.

Will there be a This City Is Ours season 3?

Watch trailer

Yes! The BBC commissioned a third series of This City Is Ours ahead of the season 2 premiere on Sunday 25 October 2026.

The new run will consist of another eight hour-long episodes, written by Stephen Butchard and produced by Left Bank Pictures for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Filming is set to take place primarily in Liverpool in 2027.

When could This City Is Ours season 3 return?

No release date has been confirmed just yet.

With filming scheduled to take place primarily in Liverpool across 2027, a broadcast is unlikely before late 2027 at the earliest, and could land in 2028 once post-production is complete.

Season 1 aired in March 2025 and the second followed in October 2026, so the gap could once again be in the region of 18 months.

What have the cast and creators of This City Is Ours said?

Michael walks the streets of Liverpool, looking over his shoulder warily

James Nelson-Joyce stars in This City Is Ours season 2 BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack

Creator and lead writer Stephen Butchard said: "Following the quite breathtaking response to series 1, myself, the cast and our wonderful crew were all determined not to drop the ball and endeavour to deliver an even better series two!

"No spoilers, but I'm hoping this fantastic early commission from the BBC for a third series is an indication that we may have come close to doing just that."

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Rebecca Hodgson, executive producer at Left Bank, said: "Left Bank are thrilled to be getting the This City is Ours family back together. The world that Stephen Butchard has created is so special and one that we all love spending time in."

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: "We're delighted to share that This City is Ours will return for a third series. Stephen Butchard and the team at Left Bank have built a world filled with ambition, authenticity and heart that has been embraced by millions."

Who could be in the This City Is Ours season 3 cast?

The cast of This City Is Ours, stood and sat around a strategy board.

The cast of This City Is Ours. BBC

Casting details for This City Is Ours season 3 are due to be announced in due course, but it's likely that many of the key players from seasons 1 and 2 would reprise their roles.

This includes:

How to watch This City Is Ours's previous seasons

All episodes of This City Is Ours are available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

Is there a trailer for This City Is Ours season 3?

Not yet! We'll update this page once new footage becomes available.

This City Is Ours seasons 1-2 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with season 3 coming soon to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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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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