‘Fantastic’ BBC crime drama perfect for fans of The Sopranos and Godfather

The gritty Liverpool gangster drama has viewers in a chokehold and fans are completely obsessed – even critics can’t believe how good the show is.

Audiences have been left wowed by the gangster drama (Image: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack)

A British crime drama hailed as ‘outstanding’ by audiences is generating significant buzz, particularly amongst fans of gritty and authentic gangster productions.

Drawing comparisons to cult classics such as The Godfather and The Sopranos, the Liverpudlian gangster drama has captured viewers’ attention

Written by Stephen Butchard for BBC One, This City Is Ours made its television debut in March 2025, with confirmation arriving in May 2025 that the programme would return for a second series.

Featuring Sean Bean, James Nelson-Joyce, Hannah Onslow, Jack McMullen, Darci Shaw, Julie Graham, Laura Aikman, and Stephen Walters, the ensemble cast have earned widespread praise for their exceptional performances.

Nelson-Joyce received a Best Actor BAFTA nomination this year for his portrayal, while the programme itself secured a deserved nomination in the Best Drama category at the 2026 BAFTAs, reports the Liverpool Echo.

It’s available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer (Image: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack)

Shot on location in Liverpool and Spain, Nelson-Joyce recently confirmed that filming for series two has wrapped, having begun in October 2025.

During a recent appearance on the Wayne Rooney Show, the actor provided some thrilling news for devotees of the programme: “We finished filming last week. We’ve been doing season two for the last seven months.”

When pressed on the anticipated premiere date for the new series, Nelson-Joyce shared: “We think the beginning of October.”

Discussing his experience on the programme and his crew and fellow cast members, the 37-year-old explained: “You spend 14 hours a day with each other. It’s like a team camaraderie feel.

“When we knew we were getting a second season, all these people who I love, I knew they were getting employment for another 6/7 months. That’s what I get a lift from. It’s nice to know they can pay the mortgage because you never know when the next job is.”

It was nominated for two BAFTAs this year (Image: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/Ben Blackall)

The programme’s official synopsis states: “Michael, a longtime member of organized crime, falls in love with Diana, prompting him to reevaluate his life and contemplate a future beyond his criminal activities. His newfound love becomes both a motivation and a potential liability.”

Boasting an impressive, near-flawless 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, acclaim for This City Is Ours has poured in from every direction, despite the programme remaining somewhat off the radar within the crime drama landscape.

One reviewer explained why they believed the gangster drama distinguished itself from comparable offerings: “In a world of boilerplate crime dramas populated by cookie-cutter criminals, this willingness to embrace moral ambivalence prevents This City is Ours from feeling like more of the same.”

Meanwhile, another critic wrote: “Of course this show isn’t as good as The Sopranos, so let’s dispense with that comparison. But it’s cracking. I binged all eight episodes in two days, and I’m not a big fan of dramas about drugs and guns.”

Acclaim for Bean and Nelson-Joyce has been widespread, with one critic writing: “Bean, as ever, is a charismatic presence right from the first moment when playing golf, badly. But then so is James Nelson-Joyce as Michael, Ronnie’s second in command, who can speak volumes with one unnerving, piercing stare.”

Viewers have been left equally impressed by the gangster drama, with one fan saying: “Outstanding crime drama with a great cliff hanger ! Everything you want in a family run drug empire , cant wait for season 2.”

Another glowing audience review reads: “This City is Ours is raw, gritty, and everything a Liverpudlian crime drama should be. Nelson-Joyce’s performance is second to none. He has you on the edge of your seat and gritting your teeth from start to finish!”

One IMDB user review of the show says: “Proper Gritty Gangster That Only The Brits Can Do. It’s a series where every episode is brilliant, they even have mustard the art in how to end the series on a high and not make you feel disappointed in a weak ending, this is gritty, it’s violent, it’s aggressive, it’s realistic, it’s brilliant!”

The underrated show has a near-perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes (Image: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack)

While another enthusiastic review reads: “Totally Fantastic! This is the only series I’ve watched 1 episode of and couldn’t stop watching it…I watched 5 episodes in one night, and the remaining 3 the next morning on iplayer.. I’ve never done that before! Every scene in it leaves you wanting more!

“The acting is brilliant and the characters totally believable. I was blown away by the gritty performances of EVERYONE in it! This is a show that could go on and on… I was gutted that there wasn’t more episodes ( there’s 8) it’s the best thing I’ve watched in years! I dare you to watch this and not be hooked! 10 out of 10.”

Another review of the series reads: “A True Masterpiece. Absolutely fantastic !! A gripping drama from beginning to end. Exceeded all expectations with its wonderfully written script, so skill fully directed and the characters so realistically portrayed by such great actors . I haven’t enjoyed anything this much since Peaky Blinders and so hope that there will be more to come .as I just want to continue the pleasure.”

This City Is Ours is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.