Sean Bean will star in new BBC One crime drama This City Is Ours, now filming in Liverpool.
The two-time BAFTA winner will play a crime boss, whose decision to retire prompts a battle for power within the gang.
So what’s the plot of This City Is Ours, when is it released and who joins Sean Bean in the star-studded cast?
This City Is Ours: Sean Bean plays Ronnie Phelan
This City Is Ours explores the deterioration of crime boss Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean)’s Kingdom after Ronnie decides to quit.
For years, Ronnie has imported cocaine into Liverpool from Columbia, alongside friend Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce). However, when Ronnie decides to retire, his son Jamie (Jack McMullen) wants to inherit the family business. Unfortunately for Michael, that means there’s no longer a place for him.
Michael and Jamie clash over their ideas for the gang’s future, putting Michael’s future with love Diana (Hannah Onslow) at risk.
Meanwhile, a shipment from Colombia goes missing – and the gang realise that its claim on the city is threatened.
BBC crime drama cast revealed
Sean Bean leads the cast of This City Is Ours, portraying retiring gang leader Ronnie Phelan.
Film and television star Sean Bean needs no introduction, after a hugely successful career spanning four decades. His breakout role came in historical series Sharpe, where he played the titular role between 1993 and 2008. Since Sharpe, he’s bagged major roles in huge Hollywood films including GoldenEye, When Saturday Comes, The Lord of the Rings, Troy and Silent Hill.
More recently, Sean has appeared in 2020’s Marriage, 2021’s Time and on Disney+ playing Thomas Cromwell in Shardlake (2024).
Sean is joined by James Nelson-Joyce as Ronnie’s friend and business partner Michael Kavanagh. The pair have worked together before, in 2021 Jimmy McGovern drama Time. James’ other big credits include The Outlaws, Industry, A Town Called Malice and Bird.
Shetland star Julie Graham will portray the matriarch of the Phelan family – Ronnie’s wife Elaine. Scottish actress Julie is well known for her roles in British comedies as Sheron Dawson in Benidorm and Gail in Two Doors Down. Last year, she starred in the second season of Time, as well as ITV’s Maternal and Paramount+ drama
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