Film Office backed BBC drama gives multi-million pound boost to local economy

New BBC drama This City Is Ours has provided a £9m boost to the local economy following investment from the Liverpool City Council’s Film Office via Liverpool City Region Combined Authority LCR Production Fund.

The series from Left Bank Pictures, the award-winning creators of The Crown, is set to launch on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Sunday 23rd March after receiving investment from the Liverpool Film Office via the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s LCR Production Fund.

The fund was launched by Mayor Steve Rotheram in 2019, supported by £3m from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The series, created by local writer Stephen Butchard (The Good Mothers, The Last Kingdom), spent around 17 weeks filming in the Liverpool City Region last year and during this time generated and safeguarded 300 direct, indirect and induced FTE jobs for local people while also supporting 17 trainees into industry – as well welcoming two apprentices from the Film Office.

This City Is Ours stars Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan alongside Scousers James Nelson-Joyce who plays Ronnie’s friend Michael Kavanagh and Jack McMullen as Ronnie’s son Jamie Phelan, Hannah Onslow as Diana Williams, Michael’s partner and Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan – head of the Phelan family alongside her husband Ronnie.

Other Scousers in the cast include Kevin Harvey as Bobby Duffy, Mike Noble as Banksey, Bobby Schofield as Bonehead, Darci Shaw as Melissa Sullivan, and Stephen Walters as Davy Crawford.

Over the last five years, Liverpool Film Office has been responsible for bringing 1,564 film and TV productions to the Liverpool City Region, which has resulted in 5,279 direct/FTE jobs being created within the industry, generating £168m inward investment to the local economy.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “The LCR Production Fund isn’t just bringing millions into our local economy—it’s opening doors for local people, giving them life-changing opportunities and helping them get a foot in the door of the industry.

“By backing projects like This City Is Ours, alongside the world-class talent and infrastructure we’ve got here, we’re making sure our region isn’t just part of the conversation—we’re leading it by working to cement the region as the ‘Hollywood of the North’”.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “This City Is Ours is another shining output of the LCR Production Fund, not only championing local crew, businesses and locations but providing fantastic step-up opportunities to those starting out in their film and TV careers.

“A total of 10 projects have now received investment from the fund and when you see the positive impact each one has had, it’s a fantastic success story for our region.

“I’m looking forward to hearing more about the careers of those who have been given their start in the industry thanks to this project!”

Head of Liverpool Film Office and Fund Manager, Lynn Saunders said: “This City Is Ours is a fantastic example of how the LCR Production Fund has worked to not only draw in production but bring great benefit the local economy.

“The project has reported a total spend for the region at just under £9m which equates to just under £20 for each £1 spent of the Fund’s investment – which is an outstanding achievement.

“With a gripping script from creator and local writer Stephen Butchard and championing our homegrown talent, there’s certainly a special buzz around this project and we can’t wait to see how it plays out on the screen.”

Production Assistant Apprentice at Liverpool Film Office, Isobel Lewis, said: “During my placement on This City Is Ours I was mainly based in the production office, shadowing the team and finding out what the role entails.

“I also had the opportunity to visit the set and unit base which was great as I got to see what was going on each day. There was so much happening and it was fantastic to see how production teams come together to create the final project.

“My favourite part was meeting so many new people and visiting different departments to gain an understanding of what they do – it’s just so fascinating being able to go around and learn so much from the crew.”

Picture: BBC