The BBC’s crime drama *This City Is Ours* has returned for its second series, continuing to explore the intertwining worlds of family loyalty and violent crime in Liverpool. Even before the new episodes aired, the broadcaster announced a third series, signaling confidence in the show’s appeal.
Set just six days after the events of the first series finale, the story picks up in the aftermath of a pivotal moment: Banksey (Mike Noble) has killed Colombian cocaine supplier Ricardo in the city centre. This act rekindles tensions, especially with Ricardo’s brother Felipe seeking revenge. Meanwhile, Michael (James Nelson-Joyce), who killed the show’s former central character Ronnie last season, has left for a sun-soaked escape with his girlfriend Diana (Hannah Onslow). Their break includes a grim trip to a Spanish wilderness site where Cheryl (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) confronts the aftermath of Ronnie’s brutal actions against her husband Davey.
The series introduces Shaun Evans as Ozzie Thompson, a former acquaintance of Ronnie, who suspects that Ronnie betrayed him and blames him for a lengthy prison sentence. Evans brings a subdued but ominous presence to the cast, complementing the existing ensemble. Ronnie’s widow also makes a brief, imagined appearance, portrayed by Sean Bean in a vision involving wine, adding a haunting note to the storyline.
The drama deftly balances its portrayal of brutal criminal activity with domestic and family dynamics. Elaine (Julie Graham), the family matriarch, juggles the demands of overseeing their drug operation while grappling with her son's personal struggles. Jamie (Jack McMullen), described as a privileged but unreliable figure, is temporarily estranged from his partner and mother of his child, further complicating family tensions.
Significant scenes build up suspense through their contrast of normalcy and threat. A tense car wash sequence where Banksey and Bobby (Kevin Harvey) collect a cocaine shipment uses environmental sounds to heighten the drama. Banksey himself emerges as a complex character, concerned about preventing his son from following in his criminal footsteps, even as he remains entrenched in the drug trade.
The narrative raises difficult moral questions, particularly as Felipe’s search for vengeance threatens to force Michael into confronting the possibility of killing his closest friend. This interplay of loyalty and survival remains central to the show’s exploration of violence within family and gang structures.
Overall, *This City Is Ours* continues to build on the foundation of its debut series by weaving suspenseful storytelling with a grounded look at relationships and power struggles. The blend of new and returning characters, combined with the evolving criminal landscape, offers viewers a compelling and often unsettling glimpse into Liverpool’s underworld.