This City Is Ours returns to BBC One and iPlayer, continuing the unpredictable story of the Liverpool-based Phelan family and the dangerous threats to their criminal empire.
James Nelson-Joyce leads the cast as Michael Kavanagh, who served as a reliable fixer for the Phelans for several years, before betraying them in spectacular fashion in season 1.
In the nail-biting second chapter, he's seeking a new life with girlfriend Diana (Hannah Onslow), but exiting a criminal career is harder than filling out a P45.
He finds himself back on the streets of Liverpool, which are abuzz with rumours over the hit-and-run killing of cartel boss Ricardo Guzman (Daniel Cerqueira).
The shocking death throws a spanner in the works of the Phelan family's plans to stabilise and rebuild, after the events of season 1 took the firm to the brink of destruction.
Read on for your complete guide to the ensemble cast of This City Is Ours as season 2 heads to BBC One and iPlayer.
This City Is Ours cast: Full list of actors in BBC crime drama
Here's an overview of the key cast in This City Is Ours season 2 – scroll on for more detailed profiles on each character and actor, including where you might have seen them before.
- 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
- Bobby Schofield as Bonehead
James Nelson-Joyce plays Michael Kavanagh
Who is Michael Kavanagh? Michael had once been a close friend to Ronnie and Elaine Phelan, but that all changed after one fateful trip to Spain, where he murdered his mentor amid a feud over succession plans.
Despite Michael's competence, Ronnie had planned to pass his crime empire down to his reckless son, Jamie, which prompted the drastic action. A war between Michael and the Phelans subsequently broke out, until a fragile truce was brokered at the end of season 1.
Having removed himself from the frontlines, Michael is now seeking a quieter life with girlfriend Diana. The duo are in the midst of IVF treatment and hoping for a brighter future – but life has a habit of derailing their plans.
Nelson-Joyce said: "Something happens that drags Michael back to Liverpool, and once again, he has to choose between Diana and his other life – he's a complex mix of ruthless and vulnerable."
What else has James Nelson-Joyce been in? Nelson-Joyce has been a regular face on our screens in recent years, making appearances in Time, The Outlaws, The Responder, Industry and The Gold. Most recently, he has been seen in Disney Plus drama A Thousand Blows, from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
Hannah Onslow plays Diana
Who is Diana? Diana is Michael's girlfriend, who is well aware of the dark nature of his work, but chooses to stay with him on the promise that one day he'll leave it behind.
She is currently undergoing IVF treatment, which will be put at threat by the shocking and profoundly stressful events awaiting herself and Michael in weeks ahead.
Onslow teased: "For me, series 2 is all about consequences. The consequences of people's decisions and how your past will always sneak back up; how you can't run away from what you've done and the decisions that you've made... it's your choices that ultimately define you."
What else has Hannah Onslow been in? Onslow is probably best known for her role in BBC One's acclaimed medical drama This Is Going to Hurt. Her other work includes Call the Midwife, Ridley Road and Belgravia: The Next Chapter.
Shaun Evans plays Ozzie Thompson
Who is Ozzie Thompson? A new addition for season 2, Ozzie was once an associate of the late Ronnie Phelan, who just served a long prison sentence for crimes committed in his employ. He seeks compensation for having taken the fall for the Phelan business – and is willing to go to great lengths to get it.
Co-star Julie Graham said: "This new character, Ozzie, comes in, and he's a real catalyst that drives a lot of the narrative throughout series 2. He's also got his own agenda – you're not quite sure where he stands and whose side he's on."
What else has Shaun Evans been in? Evans is probably best known for decade-long stint in the title role of ITV's detective drama Endeavour. His other credits include Vigil, Until I Kill You and Betrayal.
Álvaro Morte plays Felipe
Who is Felipe? Felipe is the brother of crime boss Ricardo, who had been a cocaine supplier to the Phelan family until a volatile schism in season 1 led to his murder. Now, Felipe is seeking answers about who exactly is responsible for the death – and his unpredictable behaviour makes him a force to be reckoned with.
Morte said of his new character: "He finds himself having to take control of the cartel, even though it's not something he really wants.
"He's also carrying a lot of pain connected to Michael, which will shape many of the decisions he makes and fuel a strong desire for revenge.
He added: "I loved discovering just how important Felipe was going to be in this series and the journey they had created for him. As an actor, being given a character like this, with so many layers and so much to explore, is a real gift."
What else has Álvaro Morte been in? Morte is best known for playing heist mastermind The Professor in Netflix's Spanish-language phenomenon Money Heist. He followed up his years-long run on the show with a supporting role as Logaine Ablar on Prime Video's fantasy drama The Wheel of Time.
Jack McMullen plays Jamie Phelan
Who is Jamie Phelan? Jamie is the impulsive son of late crime boss Ronnie Phelan, who fought Michael in season 1 to gain control of his family's enterprise.
The war placed great strain on his relationship with fiancé Melissa, especially when it put the life of their infant child at risk. When we meet them in season 2, the family is still readjusting to a delicate new status quo.
McMullen said: "In series 1, Jamie was lost, but I think heading into series 2, this feels like Jamie’s moment to pick up and take over from his dad.
"So viewers can expect a more ruthless, more relentless, and more ambitious Jamie. This series certainly feels exciting, tense, and it never lets you off the hook. But it's also got heart, you find yourself caring for these people, who do horrible things."
What else has Jack McMullen been in? McMullen appeared in Idris Elba's popular action drama Hijack as well as prison dramas Time (on BBC One) and Screw (on Channel 4). His career began on soap opera Brookside, before moving onto roles in Grange Hill and the original run of Waterloo Road, where he played rebellious student Finn Sharkey.
Julie Graham plays Elaine Phelan
Who is Elaine Phelan? Elaine is the widow of Ronnie, who plays an active leading role in the family business – and will do anything to protect those she loves.
In season 2, she's still grieving for her lost love, but circumstances will force her to keep looking ahead as dangerous new challenges present themselves.
Graham explained: "It's a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat story about family, succession, betrayal, love, family... all the good stuff, all the big stuff!
"It carries on from series 1, but it's much bolder, and there are lots of twists and turns... Everybody has their own agenda, and they're willing to see that agenda through to the end."
What else has Julie Graham been in? Graham's television credits include ITV comedy-drama At Home with the Braithwaites, pandemic thriller Survivors and period piece The Bletchley Circle. More recently, she has appeared in Ridley, Payback, The Serial Killer's Wife and Trigger Point season 4.
Mike Noble plays Banksey
Who is Banksey? Banksey is Michael's trusted friend and confidant, who stood by him during the tumult of season 1.
In the second chapter, he'll be dealing with the consequences of his decision to mow down cartel boss Ricardo, after he threatened the life of his teenage son. The ramifications of this brutal assassination will force some impossible choices.
"Banksey's chosen not to tell anybody what he's done, but obviously the news is out, and people want to get to the bottom of what's happened," teased Noble.
What else has Mike Noble been in? Noble previously collaborated with Sean Bean and screenwriter Stephen Butchard on Disney Plus period drama Shardlake. His other work includes The Long Shadow, Trigger Point, The Capture and care home drama Help, starring Stephen Graham and Jodie Comer.
Adam Abbou plays Freddie
Who is Freddie? Freddie is Banksey's son, who finds himself listless and bored in the period between finishing compulsory education and entering the world of work. He expresses an interest in following in his father's footsteps, but Banksey is determined to steer him away from a life of criminality.
What else has Adam Abbou been in? Abbou played Danny Lewis in seasons 11 and 12 of high school drama Waterloo Road. More recently, he appeared in the Jack Whitehall and David Duchovny-led thriller Malice on Prime Video.
Laura Aikman plays Rachel Duffy
Who is Rachel Duffy? Rachel is Ronnie and Elaine's niece, who has worked for the family firm as an accountant for a number of years. However, the back-seat role isn't quite enough to satisfy her – she wants more influence over the big decisions.
In season 2, she gets her wish, stepping into a prominent role negotiating new deals that could take their business to the next level. But these lofty ambitions also bring fresh dangers for the Phelans to face.
Aikman commented: "This whole series is about shifting power, both in the business and in people's relationships. We're going to see Michael more powerless than we've seen him before, and Rachel more powerful than we've ever seen her. But as is true to the show, power is always up for grabs."
What else has Laura Aikman been in? Aikman recently guest starred in the final two episodes of Gavin & Stacey, where she played Sonia, the villainous fiancée to James Corden's Smithy. Other credits include The Job Lot, The Rising, Archie and Joan.
Kevin Harvey plays Bobby Duffy
Who is Bobby Duffy? Bobby is Rachel's husband and another trusted member of the family business. He's not afraid to get his hands dirty, but his generally jovial and diplomatic nature leaves even Rachel doubtful over whether he's leadership material.
"He has a monumental struggle to maintain the power," said Harvey. "There are a lot of layers of love and history, and this yearning in Bobby to find or maintain his closeness to this family.
What else has Kevin Harvey been in? Harvey's recent screen credits include The Gathering, The Inheritance, Treason and Time.
Saoirse-Monica Jackson plays Cheryl Crawford
Who is Cheryl Crawford? Cheryl entered the dangerous orbit of the Phelan family via her late husband Davey Crawford, who worked for the crime syndicate – until he was murdered for his untrustworthiness.
Their marriage had been far from perfect, but Cheryl did love Davey and is left furious by his untimely death. Since learning of his fate, she has been a thorn in the side of the Phelans, and an unlikely ally to Michael and Diana.
"We meet her now, in series 2, at a point where she knows what has happened and she's determined and very clear in who she is and in her opinions on Michael and the rest of the gang," said Jackson.
"Grief is such an interesting thing to explore as an actor. It gives Cheryl a lot of clarity and determination and bravery. She was already quite a brave person, but she's really now at a place in her life where she doesn't have anything to lose."
What else has Saoirse-Monica Jackson been in? Jackson is best known for playing the role of Erin Quinn in Channel 4's acclaimed comedy series Derry Girls. She has since appeared in Netflix's The Decameron and DC Comics superhero film The Flash.
Darci Shaw plays Melissa
Who is Melissa? Melissa is Jamie's fiancé, with whom she has recently had a baby boy named Alfie. Their long engagement is put in jeopardy by the traumatic events of season 1, which led her to question whether she can cope with the extremities of being in a relationship with a crime boss.
Shaw explained: "I feel like Melissa has found a new strength. She makes it clear to Jamie that he needs to change in order for them to be a family again and regain her trust. She wants to be more involved in making decisions and what exactly is happening in the business, and she isn't afraid of the consequences if it means her family is safe."
What else has Darci Shaw been in? Shaw's screen career began with a supporting role in the first season of The Bay, followed by later credits in Netflix's The Irregulars and Sky's Brassic.
Most recently, she portrayed real-life career criminal Alice Diamond in Steven Knight's A Thousand Blows. Shaw also played a young Judy Garland in the Oscar-winning biopic starring Renée Zellweger.
Sean Bean plays Ronnie Phelan (season 1)
Who is Ronnie Phelan? Ronnie is the patriarch of a successful, long-standing crime family based in Liverpool. Their most profitable business is cocaine, which they import into the city courtesy of a Colombian supplier based in Marbella, Spain.
After decades in the business, he's now looking to retire and live a quieter life with his beloved wife, Elaine. However, before he can consider stepping down, he must anoint a successor – of which there are two determined contenders.
Bean said of the project: "The title hints at so many things. This City Is Ours looks at possession, ownership, control and defiance. All these scenarios mean taking drastic actions and they have repercussions.
"They are trapped by their own successes of overseeing drug territories and the constant corruption of power that inevitably surround it."
In-keeping with the unfortunate reputation of Bean's characters, Ronnie did not make it out of season 1 alive.
What else has Sean Bean been in? Bean needs no introduction as one of the most recognisable faces in British film and television.
You might have previously seen him in Sharpe, GoldenEye, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Game of Thrones or The Martian, which are among his most famous credits. More recently, he has appeared in prison drama Time (opposite This City Is Ours co-star James Nelson-Joyce), Marriage and Shardlake.
Stephen Walters plays Davey Crawford (season 1)
Who is Davey Crawford? Davey is an associate of Jamie Phelan, and late husband to Cheryl Crawford.
What else has Stephen Walters been in? Walters is known for playing Zeppo in Apple TV+ spy thriller Slow Horses and Angus in the fantastical period drama Outlander. Other credits include Silent Witness, Anne and A Gentleman in Moscow.
This City Is Ours is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Season 2 premieres on Sunday 25 October 2026.
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