BBC commissions new Liverpool crime drama This City is Ours

A brand new crime drama This City is Ours, set and filmed in Liverpool, has been commissioned by the BBC.

Created by writer Stephen Butchard (The Good Mothers, The Last Kingdom, Five Daughters) and made by Left Bank Pictures (The Crown, Quiz, Sitting in Limbo), the eight-part series will be set and filmed in Liverpool and will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer while Sony Pictures Television will distribute the series internationally.

This City is Ours tells the story of Michael, who has been involved in organised crime throughout adulthood but for the first time in his life, he is in love with Diana. This drama explores Michael and Diana’s love affair, set against the disintegration of Michael’s crime gang. For years, together with his friend Ronnie, Michael has successfully been bringing cocaine into Liverpool and beyond, directly from Columbia; but when a shipment goes missing, then he knows their operation is under attack.

The story follows what happens when Ronnie’s son Jamie decides he wants to inherit their kingdom and that there is no longer a place for Michael at the table. Both Michael and Jamie have bold ideas to modernise the gang and they will battle for control of it. But Michael’s biggest battle will be to save the woman he loves and the child he has always wanted.

Creator, lead writer and executive producer Stephen Butchard said: “I’m so excited to be working with the brilliant Left Bank and the wonderful commissioning team at BBC Drama. Set in the very real, chilling, but mostly unseen universe of organised crime, This City is Ours is a story of love, greed, ambition and power – and what we will do to seize and hold on to that power.”

CEO of Left Bank Pictures and executive producer Andy Harries said: “This City is Ours is a visceral, gripping dynastic tale from one of the UK’s most exciting writers. The scripts pack a real punch and we’re thrilled that the BBC have given the series their backing.”

Director of BBC Drama, Lindsay Salt said: “This City is Ours is character-driven crime drama that demands to be seen. Stephen Butchard’s vibrant and propulsive scripts offer a new take on the genre, mixing power politics with the brutality of gang life. It’s drama at its most tense!”

This City is Ours (8×60) was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. It was created by Stephen Butchard, who serves as lead writer, with Robbie McNeill writing further episodes. The director is Saul Dibb (Journey’s End, The Sixth Commandment). The producer is Simon Maloney (Time, I May Destroy You). Executive producers are Andy Harries, Rebecca Hodgson and Sian McWilliams for Left Bank Pictures, Stephen Butchard and Saul Dibb, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Sony Pictures Television will distribute the series internationally.

This City is Ours will film in and around Liverpool, with additional filming in Spain, later this year.

Picture: General shot of filming in Liverpool