The BBC drama This City Is Ours returns for a second series, picking up immediately after the events of the first. Michael and Diana are more in love than ever when they arrive in their Spanish Happy Town, but they are soon dragged back into the world of crime to answer questions around Ricardo’s death, and there’s a new Colombian to deal with now, Felipe.
What Is Series 2 About?
Plot details for the second series are largely being kept under wraps by BBC bosses. A BBC spokesperson teased: “In Liverpool, a coup within the Phelan firm sends the business into disarray, and to make matters worse, there’s a new threat in town - Ozzie Thompson. A newly-released old-school gangster from Ronnie’s past, he is out looking for compensation or revenge, whichever comes first.
“Michael keeps a low profile as his investigation into Ricardo’s murder leads him into difficult territory, with no choice but to devise a plan that hinges on Diana’s cooperation, testing her loyalties more than ever before.
“As Banksey’s son Freddie forms an unlikely friendship with Ozzie and the Phelan’s begin exploring business opportunities with a new supplier, more enemies lurk in the shadows. Michael may have no choice but to once again join forces with the Phelans, but that goes against everything he has promised to Diana. Will Michael be able to keep the love of his life if he can’t escape his past?”
Full Cast for Series 2
The cast includes James Nelson-Joyce as Michael Kavanagh, Hannah Onslow as Diana, Shaun Evans as Ozzie Thompson, Álvaro Morte as Felipe, Jack McMullen as Jamie Phelan, Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan, Mike Noble as Banksey, Adam Abbou as Freddie, Laura Aikman as Rachel Duffy, Kevin Harvey as Bobby Duffy, Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Cheryl Crawford, Darci Shaw as Melissa, and Bobby Schofield as Bonehead.
What Happened in Season 1?
The first season, created by Stephen Butchard, introduced viewers to Ronnie Phelan, a Liverpool drug lord played by Sean Bean. Announcing his retirement, a battle for his throne broke out between gang-member Michael and his son Jamie. Jamie’s mission to get rid of Michael was morally complicated by the fact that Michael was trying to start a family with Diana Williams through IVF. Ronnie suffered a shocking death in episode two as Jamie and Michael’s battle escalated.
At a heated roundtable, Elaine Phelan came to a compromise with Michael, agreeing that Elaine's nephew-in-law Bobby Duffy and Michael's right-hand man Banksey would replace Ronnie as the group’s leaders. Jamie and his cousin Rachel weren’t happy with this decision, with the former kidnapping Michael’s girlfriend Diana. He demanded that Michael take his own life in exchange for Diana’s safety.
Learning that Diana is pregnant, Michael also went down a dark path by abducting Jamie's baby son Alfie. A hostage swap was soon arranged, only for Michael to confess to Ronnie's murder in hopes of making Jamie back off. This admission led to Michael being kicked out of Phelans' inner circle, with Elaine turning his back on him. Banksey made the impulsive decision of killing Colombian cocaine supplier Ricardo, who planted a bomb in his car, with the aftermath playing a big part in series two.
The first series received BAFTA nominations for Best Drama and Leading Actor (James Nelson-Joyce) and attracted an average of 6.1 million viewers. This City Is Ours airs on Sunday, October 25 at 9pm on BBC One and on the BBC iPlayer.
