Acclaimed BBC crime thriller returning to screens for new series after topping charts as most-watched drama of the year
The BBC has confirmed that their gripping new series The City Is Ours will be renewed for a second season.
Widely acclaimed by both critics and audiences alike, the gritty crime thriller's opening episode has garnered 6.6 million viewers to date.
More than 3 million viewers were already streaming the show in advance of its finale last night.
The series boasts the position of the most-watched drama launch of the year, so it's no surprise the Beeb want to cash in on the popularity.
The 8-parter follows the story of Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson Joyce), the partner of notorious drug kingpin, Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean).
Beginning to contemplate the possibility of a future and a new family with his girlfriend, Diana, (Hannah Onslow), Michael reevaluates his life choices.
However, when Ronnie plans to retire, tensions are sparked between Michael and Ronnie's ambitious son, Jamie Phelan, over which of them will inherit his crime empire.
Featuring scenes such as the Catholic 'wigwam' cathedral, where a gangster prays for guidance before betraying his fellow crooks, to the ships on the Mersey, the series is set and shot in Liverpool, with an unwavering affection for the city.
Others in the cast include Derry Girls' Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Laura Aikman, last seen being jilted at the altar by Smithy in Gavin & Stacey - who we expect to see returning for series two.
After the controversy of his character's savage murder in episode 2, which fans deemed 'mad', it has been confirmed that Sean Bean will make a reappearance in the second season.
The news comes after some viewers took issue with his quick departure from the show, writing 'Perhaps he can only manage 30 minutes of acting per programme. One of the biggest disappointments ever was him being written out of Game of Thrones so early.'
Speculation is already swirling that the new season will feature a flashback episode delving deeper into Ronnie's past.
We have all been blown away by the incredibly positive response to This City is Ours,' said show creator Stephen Butchard.
'I can't thank the audience enough for their time and emotional investment.'
'This City is Ours was one of our team's first commissions when I joined the BBC,' added Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama.
'I could not be happier with how Stephen, Saul and the Left Bank team have brought it to the screen so classily.'
The show has garnered a whopping 92% rating from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, with one fan on X calling last night's finale 'Shakespearean level drama'.
But Salt suggests that the drama is only just beginning: 'I'm delightedthat we now get to build on this fantastic first run and show that things are only just getting started for this very special series'.
All episodes of This City Is Ours are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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