Review: 'This City Is Ours' is BBC drama at its best ✶✶✶✶✶
Review: 'This City Is Ours' is a faultless new BBC drama which shows the BBC can match Netflix for a decent crime thriller.
This City Is Ours premiered on BBC One last night and this thrilling new crime drama shows the BBC can still match Netflix and other streaming platforms when it comes to a gritty thriller.
Review
Set and filmed in Liverpool, with additional scenes shot in Spain, This City is Ours follows the story of Michael, a man who has spent his entire adult life immersed in organised crime, working for his friend and gang leader, Ronnie.
When Ronnie starts hinting at retirement, Michael begins to dream of a different life. For the first time ever, Michael is in love. For the first time, he envisions a future beyond the daily grind — something to gain and something to lose: Diana.
This City is Ours tells the story of Michael and Diana's love affair, set against the backdrop of the collapse of Michael’s criminal organisation. For years, Michael and Ronnie have been successfully trafficking cocaine into the city and beyond, directly from Colombia. But when a shipment goes missing, Michael knows their empire is under threat.
The film explores the consequences of Ronnie’s son Jamie deciding that he wants to inherit the family business, leaving no room for Michael at the table. Both Michael and Jamie have ambitious plans to modernise the gang, and they will fight for control. However, Michael's biggest battle will be to save the woman he loves and the child he has always dreamed of having.
This is a story about family, love, and the destruction caused by ambition, pride, and greed. It’s a story about power: what we’re willing to do to attain and hold on to it.
James Nelson Joyce is captivating as Michael Kavanagh, friend of gang leader Ronnie Phelan played perfectly by Sean Bean. Hannah Onslow (Empire of Light, This Is Going to Hurt) stars as Diana Williams, Michael’s partner, Jack McMullen (Hijack, Ford V Ferrari) as Ronnie’s son, Jamie Phelan, and Julie Graham (Shetland, Time) as Elaine, head of the Phelan family alongside her husband Ronnie. Laura Aikman plays Rachel Duffy.
Liverpool serves as a brilliant backdrop in this thriller which does not shy away from the dark underworld. Whilst it’s a male-dominated narrative, what makes This City Is Ours stand out is the human sub-stories which give it depth. It’s not an all out murky story about drugs, there are relationship issues and other topics explored that make it stand out from similar dramas.
The dialogue, direction and acting are superb; This world is entirely believable and there are some brilliant stunts which deliver plenty of great action.
For this to get eight, hour-long episodes on BBC One each Sunday night is a bold move and a great one. Get stuck in and stream it on BBC iPlayer now.