A Closer Look at the Cast of This City Is Ours
Big cities have a way of drawing trouble, and *This City Is Ours* dives right into Liverpool’s criminal underworld with a cast that pops with talent both new and seasoned. Fans of British TV will spot several familiar faces, but others might raise an eyebrow, thinking, “Where do I know them from?” Let’s sort it out.
The centerpiece of the story is Michael Kavanagh, played by James Nelson-Joyce. If you think you’ve seen him before, you might remember his intense turns in gritty roles on British screens, though this time he’s showing more angles as a criminal on the edge of change after meeting Diana Williams. Diana, portrayed by Hannah Onslow, brings a warmth and complexity that anchors the emotional stakes. She’s no stranger to nuanced roles, tapping into her growing reputation for sensitive, sharp performances.
The name that grabs the headlines, though, is Sean Bean. This time, he’s not holding a sword or running from White Walkers, but instead anchors the show as Ronnie Phelan—the aging head of a family business that just happens to move lots of cocaine. Bean’s knack for playing tough, complicated men gives Ronnie an intensity that makes every scene buzz with electricity.
Julie Graham (you might know her from *Shetland*) brings her own brand of strength as Elaine Phelan, Ronnie’s wife. She’s more than just a supportive spouse—her ambitions and conflicts are central to the family drama. Their children, Jamie (Jack McMullen) and Melissa (Darci Shaw), are at the heart of the power struggle over who will steer the Phelan family next. McMullen’s roots in *Coronation Street* are showing, while Shaw’s turn in *The Bay* helps her carve out a layered presence in the series.
On the fringes, you’ll find Rachel Duffy, played by Laura Aikman. If ghost stories and supernatural twists are your thing, maybe you caught her in *Ghost Stories*. Her husband Bobby is portrayed by Kevin Harvey, another alum from *Coronation Street*, proving that soap opera training builds serious drama chops. Then there are the street-level operators: Banksey (Mike Noble of *Peaky Blinders*) and Bonehead (Bobby Schofield, seen in *Knightfall*), both bringing the edge and unpredictability of Liverpool’s crime world to the small screen.
The Supporting Squad: More Than Just Side Characters
Every good drama is built on a strong bench. Saoirse-Monica Jackson, familiar to fans of *Derry Girls*, plays Cheryl Crawford, injecting levity and grit at the same time. Opposite her is Stephen Walters as Davey Crawford, who adds a weathered, lived-in feel to Liverpool’s underbelly. Fans of classic British cop dramas might remember Walters from *Liverpool 1*.
The chemistry across the ensemble is tight, elevating routine crime genre beats into something more personal. With so many faces with proven experience, there’s always a sense that any character could surprise viewers.
The buzz around *This City Is Ours* was big enough for the BBC to green-light a second series. The show’s mix of old favorites like Sean Bean and breakout talents keeps fans coming back, not just for the plot twists, but to watch this cast work together. It’s this unpredictable blend—a crime story powered by characters viewers instantly care about—that sets the series apart in the crowded world of British crime dramas. So whether you’re into *Peaky Blinders* or swear by *Shetland*, there’s a good chance you’ll recognize a face and get hooked on the raw energy of this Liverpool-set saga. The *This City Is Ours* cast isn’t just a list of names—it’s a melting pot of the best the British TV scene has to offer right now.
