What are the primary themes explored in This City Is Ours? Who are the lead actors, and what roles do they play in the series? How does the backdrop of Liverpool influence the show’s narrative? In what ways does the creative team address the complexities of the characters? What impact did the filming have on the local economy in the Liverpool region?
This City Is Ours is a crime drama epic filmed in Liverpool and Spain that comes with creative pedigree. The series stars Sean Bean and comes from The Crown producer Left Bank Pictures. All episodes will become available on the BBC iPlayer streaming service from 6 a.m. London time on Sunday, with the series beginning to air on BBC One in its weekly 9 p.m. time slot that night. Sony Pictures Television is distributing the series internationally.
The eight-part show was created and written by Stephen Butchard (The Good Mothers, The Last Kingdom, Five Daughters) and directed by Saul Dibb (The Salisbury Poisonings, The Sixth Commandment) and John Hayes (Nightsleeper, Dublin Murders).
Bean (Marriage, Time) plays crime gang leader Ronnie Phelan, with James Nelson-Joyce (Bird, A Thousand Blows) portraying Ronnie’s friend Michael Kavanagh. Hannah Onslow (Empire of Light, This Is Going to Hurt) plays Diana Williams, Michael’s partner, while Jack McMullen (Hijack, Ford v Ferrari) is Ronnie’s son, Jamie Phelan. Julie Graham (Shetland, Time) portrays Ronnie’s wife Elaine, the head of the Phelan family alongside her husband.
The show tells the story of Michael, “a man who for all of his adult life has been involved in organized crime… but for the first time in his life, Michael is in love,” according to a synopsis. It details his love affair with Diana set against the looming disintegration of his criminal work. “For years, together with his friend Ronnie, Michael has successfully been bringing cocaine into the city and beyond, directly from Colombia,” says the plot summary. “But when a shipment goes missing, he knows their Kingdom is under attack.”
Nelson-Joyce and other cast members and creators recently discussed This City Is Ours during a panel session organized during the London TV Screenings.
“Sean is a gentleman,” he said about collaborating with Bean, with whom he had also worked on prison drama Time, and the rest of the team. “We were very lucky and very fortunate. We’re all mates. And it did help that for the first four weeks of filming we were in Spain. We were all in this complex together, and we all built up this family relationship so quickly. There was already a respect there. And from me for Sean anyway. How can you not admire him? So it was easy to portray that father figure [relationship] with him. And then the great writing does it all for you really.”
The show’s themes are universal and will appeal to a broad audience, Nelson-Joyce also said. “We’ve all done stuff that we’re not proud of, and we all love people,” the actor shared. “And it’s just unfortunate that it’s a time in Michael’s life where it’s all a bit of a crossroads.”
The fact that the characters have layers makes them more interesting for actors but hopefully also for audiences, he signaled. “Everyone is complex,” Nelson-Joyce explained. “I think that’s the beauty of any great writing, which is what Stephen’s done. When you watch Walter White or you watch The Sopranos, and you watch all these programs, even though these people are doing bad things, you still root for them. We all love Walter White. We all love Tony Soprano.”
The creative team was also asked about the key roles religion and the church play in This City Is Ours, with someone pointing out how important faith groups still are to Liverpool’s social fabric. “Less and less, people have faith or believe in faith,” argued writer Butchard. “Fewer and fewer people believe in God, but churches still host christenings, weddings, and funerals. It’s almost as though it still remains a touchstone, even though it’s more of a gathering in name. People still need a place to come together.”
The Liverpool accent was something that was also key for the cast and creative team. “We had a brilliant voice and dialect coach [Helen Ashton], and it really helped being surrounded by actors from Liverpool [such as Nelson-Joyce] who would point you in the right direction,” Julie Graham recalled. “Just having that accent in your ear all the time really helped. And our sound guy Jimmy who’s a scouser [meaning a person from Liverpool] was brilliant.”
Onslow also turned to a popular TV show that has featured people from Liverpool for some help. “I also watched Love Island clips,” she shared. “That was helpful.”
Graham then mentioned an unusual aspect of the local language. “The women in Liverpool have a different accent,” she said. “It’s the only accent in the whole of the U.K. where the men and women speak differently. There are all kinds of nuances. And then there’s generational differences as well.”
Butchard also emphasized the importance of including comedic moments in This City Is Ours. “That’s who these people are,” he said about the crime family milieu. “So, I think it’s representative as well. To be honest, with a couple of jokes we had to be careful because I thought they were undermining moments of drama. But I’ll always try and put humor in there, and always try and make the humor true to the people so that the characters would actually be saying it. It’s just very much part of that world really, particularly perhaps because they see darker things as well.”
The series received investment from the Liverpool City Council’s Film Office via its Liverpool City Region Combined Authority LCR Production Fund. The film office says the production already boosted the Liverpool City region economy by £9.0 million ($11.7 million).
Watch the trailer for This City Is Ours below.
Sean Bean’s BBC Crime Series ‘This City Is Ours’ Has Walter White Shades: A Deep Dive into Moral Ambiguity
In recent years, the BBC has become synonymous with high-quality drama series that push the boundaries of storytelling, and their latest offering, "This City Is Ours," is no exception. Boasting a commanding performance from the iconic Sean Bean, the show explores themes of morality, power, and the dark underbelly of societal structures reminiscent of some of television’s most compelling antiheroes. As viewers delve into the intricacies of this gripping crime drama, comparisons are inevitably drawn to the transformative character of Walter White from the acclaimed series "Breaking Bad."
The Premise of ‘This City Is Ours’
"This City Is Ours" centers around a principled police officer, played by Sean Bean, who finds himself embroiled in the murky world of crime and corruption while pursuing justice in a city that seems lost to chaos. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a city plagued by crime, where the once clear lines between good and evil begin to blur. As Bean’s character navigates ruthless criminals and morally compromised allies, he is faced with increasingly dire choices that echo the descent of Walter White from a mild-mannered chemistry teacher to a ruthless drug lord.
Shades of Walter White
Walter White’s arc in "Breaking Bad" is a masterclass in character development; it illustrates the potential for darkness that lies within all of us. What begins as a desperate bid to secure his family’s financial future spirals into a tale of hubris, pride, and moral decay. Similarly, in "This City Is Ours," Sean Bean’s character grapples with the seductive draw of power and the moral compromises that accompany it. The show invites viewers to ponder profound questions about morality: when faced with insurmountable challenges, how far are we willing to go to achieve what we believe is right?
The Antihero Appeal
The rise of the antihero in contemporary television reflects a shift in audience preferences, where flawed characters are celebrated for their complexity and relatability. Sean Bean’s portrayal in "This City Is Ours" taps into the same vein of enchantment that Walter White showcased. As Bean’s character becomes ensnared in a world thick with layers of corruption, his motivations—much like those of White—become increasingly self-serving. The audience is left to grapple with conflicting feelings of sympathy and disdain as they witness the transformation of a principled individual into one who is willing to bend the rules for personal gain.
Moral Quandaries and Societal Critique
"This City Is Ours" isn’t just a crime thriller; it’s a reflective commentary on the socio-political issues that pervade the modern landscape. The city itself becomes a character, illustrating how socio-economic pressures can drive individuals to extremes. Just as Walter White’s choices are significantly shaped by the healthcare system’s failures and his own desperation, Sean Bean’s character evokes questions surrounding systemic corruption, where those in power often exploit the vulnerable. Both narratives force viewers to reflect on the societal structures that nurture despair and moral ambiguity.
Tense Relationships and Betrayal
Another parallel between "This City Is Ours" and "Breaking Bad" lies in the relationships that are tested and often torn apart by betrayal. In "Breaking Bad," Walter’s actions drive a wedge between himself and his family, leading to tragic consequences. Similarly, in "This City Is Ours," Bean’s character must navigate complex relationships with colleagues turned adversaries, friends who become liabilities, and a community that he swore to protect but ultimately puts in jeopardy. The tension of these relationships becomes a significant driving force in the narrative, creating a relatable and harrowing exploration of loyalty and betrayal.
Artistic Choices and Cinematic Techniques
The direction and cinematography of "This City Is Ours" further emphasize the show’s thematic connections to moral ambiguity. The use of stark lighting, gritty locations, and an evocative score culminates in a visual language that accompanies the murky moral choices faced by the characters. Much like the cinematographic choices made in "Breaking Bad," which often employed juxtaposition to highlight Walter’s dual life, "This City Is Ours" similarly visualizes the tension between law and lawlessness.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Crime Drama
Sean Bean’s "This City Is Ours" boldly ventures into territory that explores the darker sides of human nature. The comparisons to Walter White are not merely stylistic; they speak to a broader cultural fascination with complexity in storytelling and character development. As audiences continue to engage with narratives that challenge traditional notions of heroism and virtue, "This City Is Ours" serves as a testament to the evolving landscape of crime dramas, inviting viewers to reflect on the nuances of right and wrong in a flawed world. With every episode, the series draws viewers deeper into a labyrinth of moral ambiguity, providing an experience that resonates long after the credits roll.
Sean Bean’s latest role in the BBC crime series “This City Is Ours” has drawn comparisons to iconic characters like Walter White from “Breaking Bad.” Bean, known for his compelling performances, brings a depth to his character that echoes the transformation seen in Walter White—an ordinary individual who is pulled into a world of crime, moral ambiguity, and personal struggles.
The narrative follows a protagonist navigating the complexities of crime, showcasing both the external pressures that lead to a life of lawlessness and the internal conflicts resulting from such choices. Bean’s character embodies the fine line between heroism and villainy, prompting viewers to empathize with and question his motives. Through layered storytelling and a rich supporting cast, the series tackles themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of one’s actions.
The cinematography and atmospheric setting further enhance the mood, immersing viewers in a gritty urban landscape that mirrors the protagonist’s turmoil. As the plot unfolds, clever writing and Bean’s powerful performance draw audiences into a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it a notable entry in the crime genre. The exploration of complex characters and their motivations certainly contributes to the ongoing discussion of morality in crime dramas, reminding viewers that sometimes, the greatest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves.