The BBC crime drama This City Is Ours has drawn significant attention for its cast of seasoned actors and rising talent. The series, created by Stephen Butchard, centers on the Phelan and Kavanagh crime family as they navigate power, loyalty, and danger in Liverpool. With Sean Bean leading the ensemble, viewers have been eager to learn more about the full cast, the characters they play, and what lies ahead for the show.
The program airs on the BBC and is produced by Left Bank Pictures, the studio behind The Crown. It fits squarely into the popular crime family genre, drawing comparisons to shows like Peaky Blinders and Gangs of London.
Who is in the cast of This City Is Ours?
This City Is Ours: A Crime Family Saga
Crime drama, 2025
Sean Bean, James Nelson-Joyce, Hannah Onslow, Jack McMullen
S1: 9 episodes, S2: announced
BBC iPlayer (UK), international TBA
Key insights about the cast
- This City Is Ours is a BBC-produced crime family saga starring Sean Bean as gang leader Ronnie Phelan.
- The series debuted in 2025 with 9 episodes; a second season has been confirmed with the same core cast.
- James Nelson-Joyce plays the pivotal role of Michael Kavanagh, Ronnie’s right-hand man.
- The cast includes both established actors (Julie Graham, Laura Aikman) and rising stars (Hannah Onslow, Jack McMullen).
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Title | This City Is Ours (A Crime Family Saga) |
| Genre | Crime drama |
| Network/Broadcaster | BBC |
| Premiere Date | 2025 |
| Number of Seasons | 2 (Season 1 released, Season 2 announced) |
| Episode Count | 9 episodes per season (confirmed for S1, expected for S2) |
| Lead Actor | Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan |
| Production Company | Left Bank Pictures |
| Availability | BBC iPlayer (UK), further streaming TBA |
For a deeper look at similar series, you can read the All Her Fault Cast – Full Guide to Actors and Characters.
Who is in the cast of This City Is Ours season 1?
The first season of This City Is Ours features a large ensemble cast. According to IMDb and Wikipedia, the core cast includes:
- James Nelson-Joyce as Michael Kavanagh (9 episodes) – Ronnie’s right-hand man and the central lead.
- Hannah Onslow as Diana Williams (9 episodes) – Michael’s girlfriend and a restaurant manager.
- Mike Noble as Banksey (9 episodes) – Michael’s right-hand man and enforcer.
- Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan (9 episodes) – Ronnie’s wife and Jamie’s mother.
- Laura Aikman as Rachel Duffy (8 episodes) – Jamie’s cousin and the gang’s accountant.
- Bobby Schofield as Peter “Bonehead” Murphy (8 episodes) – Jamie’s right-hand man and enforcer.
- Darci Shaw as Melissa Phelan / Melissa Sullivan (7 episodes) – A member of the Phelan family.
- Jack McMullen as Jamie Phelan (6 episodes) – Ronnie’s son and a senior gang member.
- Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan (3 episodes) – The patriarch and gang leader.
- Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Cheryl Crawford (3 episodes).
- Kevin Harvey as Bobby Duffy (3 episodes).
- Daniel Cerqueira as Ricardo Guzman (3 episodes) – Represents “the Amigos,” the Colombian cartel supplying cocaine.
- Adam Abbou as Freddie (3 episodes).
- Shane Walker as Billy (3 episodes).
- Shaun Fagan as Barney (3 episodes).
- Nicholas Bishop as Frederico (3 episodes).
- Yolanda Vázquez as Stefania (3 episodes).
- Leanne Best as Lesley Williams (2 episodes).
- Stephen Walters as Davy Crawford.
- Rob Jarvis as Frankie the Undertaker.
Character relationships in season 1
The Wikipedia article provides clear descriptions of character relationships. Michael Kavanagh is Ronnie Phelan’s right-hand man and the central lead. Diana Williams is Michael’s girlfriend and a restaurant manager. Jamie Phelan is Ronnie’s son and a senior gang member. Elaine Phelan is Ronnie’s wife and Jamie’s mother. Rachel Duffy is Jamie’s cousin and the gang’s accountant. Banksey is Michael’s right-hand man and enforcer. Peter “Bonehead” Murphy is Jamie’s right-hand man and enforcer. Ricardo Guzman represents “the Amigos,” the Colombian cartel supplying cocaine.
Rachel Duffy is played by Laura Aikman. She is Jamie Phelan’s cousin and works as the gang’s accountant. There is no evidence that a different actress named Rachel Duffy is in the series; searches may stem from confusion with her character name.
Is there a season 2 of This City Is Ours?
A second season of This City Is Ours has been announced. According to TV databases such as TV Guide and Rotten Tomatoes, the show has 2 seasons listed overall. The same core cast is expected to return for season 2, though an exact release date has not yet been confirmed. Industry speculation points to a 2026 premiere, but this remains unconfirmed by official BBC or Left Bank Pictures announcements.
Who is in the cast of season 2?
Based on current reports, the core ensemble from season 1 – including Sean Bean, James Nelson-Joyce, Hannah Onslow, Jack McMullen, Julie Graham, and Laura Aikman – is set to return. No new cast additions have been officially announced at this time.
Season 1 premiered in 2025. Season 2 was announced later that same year, but the exact release date is not yet confirmed. An expected window of 2026 is speculative at this stage.
How many episodes are in This City Is Ours?
Season 1 of This City Is Ours consists of 9 episodes, according to IMDb. The same number of episodes is expected for season 2, though this has not been formally confirmed by the production company.
Where can I watch This City Is Ours?
In the United Kingdom, This City Is Ours is available on BBC iPlayer. International streaming rights have not been announced widely. Viewers outside the UK may need to check local BBC channels or wait for future streaming deals. The series is produced by Left Bank Pictures.
Are Bobby Schofield and Rachel Duffy in This City Is Ours?
Yes, Bobby Schofield appears in the series. He plays Peter “Bonehead” Murphy, Jamie Phelan’s right-hand man and enforcer, across 8 episodes.
Regarding the question “Is Rachel Duffy in This City Is Ours?”: there is no evidence that an actress named Rachel Duffy is part of the cast. The character Rachel Duffy is played by Laura Aikman. Confusion likely arises because the character’s name matches a common surname.
Timeline of series development
- – Season 1 of This City Is Ours premieres on BBC with 9 episodes.
- – Season 2 announced with same cast returning.
- – Season 2 release (yet to be confirmed).
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about the cast?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Main cast for Season 1: Sean Bean, James Nelson-Joyce, Hannah Onslow, Jack McMullen, Julie Graham, Laura Aikman, Kevin Harvey, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Mike Noble, Bobby Schofield. | Exact release date for Season 2 (likely 2026). |
| Season 1 has 9 episodes. | Whether Rachel Duffy is part of the cast (not listed in official sources; the character is played by Laura Aikman). |
| Season 2 is in development with the same core cast. | International streaming availability beyond BBC iPlayer. |
What is the production background of This City Is Ours?
This City Is Ours fits the popular ‘crime family’ genre comparable to Peaky Blinders and Gangs of London. The casting of Sean Bean as the patriarch signals high production value. The series is produced by Left Bank Pictures, known for The Crown and other prestige dramas. Early reception indicates strong viewer engagement, warranting a quick season 2 renewal. The cast remains largely consistent, suggesting a continuing story arc.
For another example of a detailed cast guide, see the Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared – Guide to Episodes Characters & Merch.
What are the main sources for cast information?
“The cast list, character descriptions, and episode counts are drawn from IMDb, Wikipedia, TV Guide, Rotten Tomatoes, and the official Left Bank Pictures site. IMDb provides the broadest cast list with episode counts. Wikipedia gives the clearest character descriptions and relationships. TV Guide and Rotten Tomatoes confirm the title, genre, and a subset of the cast. TVMaze confirms the existence of episode and cast guides, though the full breakdown is not publicly available in the search results.”
“Wikipedia provides a structured article with an infobox, cast list, and synopsis, including sections for Plot, Cast, Production, and Reception. Citations come from sources like Left Bank Pictures.”
FAQ
Is This City Is Ours based on a true story?
No known evidence suggests it is based on true events; it is a fictional crime drama.
Who plays Jamie Phelan in This City Is Ours?
Jack McMullen plays Jamie Phelan.
Is Sean Bean the main character?
Yes, Sean Bean plays Ronnie Phelan, the leader of the gang and a central figure.
How can I watch This City Is Ours outside the UK?
International streaming rights have not been announced widely; check local BBC channels or future streaming deals.
Who plays Banksey in the series?
Mike Noble plays Banksey.
What role does Hannah Onslow play?
Hannah Onslow plays Diana Williams, Michael Kavanagh’s girlfriend and a restaurant manager.
Is Laura Aikman in the cast?
Yes, Laura Aikman plays Rachel Duffy, the gang’s accountant.
How many episodes does James Nelson-Joyce appear in?
James Nelson-Joyce appears in 9 episodes.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.