This City Is Ours Review: Sean Bean Gang Drama Worth It?

Sean Bean’s return to TV as a Liverpool gang boss sounds familiar, but This City Is Ours brings something unexpected: a story that divides critics and audiences alike. With its heavy Scouse slang and vivid Liverpool setting, the show either pulls you in or leaves you cold.

Premiere date: March 23, 2025 (BBC) · Episodes in season 1: 8 · Main cast: Sean Bean, James Nelson-Joyce, Hannah Onslow · Rotten Tomatoes audience score (season 1): 78% (as of March 2026) · IMDb rating: 7.4/10 (as of March 2026)

Eight key details shape the decision to watch, one pattern: the show’s Liverpool authenticity is both its strength and its polarising edge.

Is This City Is Ours any good?

What critics say about This City Is Ours

Critical reception has been markedly split. The Guardian (UK daily newspaper) called it a drama with “zero emotional depth,” a sharp dismissal that sets the tone for one side of the debate. The Telegraph (British daily newspaper) praised it as a “tense thriller of betrayals and shifting loyalties.” The New Statesman (British political and cultural magazine) described it as a “highly superior Scouse Dallas,” blending menace with farce.

What audiences say about This City Is Ours

Audience scores tell a different story. Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) gives a 78% audience score, while IMDb (crowdsourced movie database) sits at 7.4/10. On Reddit (social discussion platform), users call it “a good crime drama” though some note the last episodes dragged. Decider (streaming guide) highlights the Liverpool setting as a distinguishing feature, calling it “standout for its authentic location.”

The pattern: critics who value emotional depth are left cold, while those who prize atmosphere and performance find plenty to admire.

Is This City Is Ours based on a true story?

Is the character Ronnie real?

The series is purely fictional. The Guardian confirms that characters and events are invented, though they draw on real crime-family dynamics. BBC Media Centre states the show is “inspired by the power structures of organised crime” but not a direct retelling.

Is the city is ours Irish?

No. The setting is Liverpool, England. Despite some audience confusion, The Independent (British newspaper) clarifies the show’s “decidedly Scouse identity,” rooted in Liverpool’s docklands and Everton areas. The humour and slang are distinctly Liverpudlian, not Irish.

What this means: viewers hoping for a true-crime documentary will be disappointed, but the fictional approach gives the writers room to exaggerate gang politics.

Is there a season 2 of This City Is Ours?

BBC series 2 update details

BBC Media Centre officially confirmed a second season in 2025. The announcement came shortly after the first season finale, indicating strong internal confidence. Radio Times reported that production plans are underway, with Stephen Butchard returning as writer.

Expected release date for season 2

No exact date has been announced. Based on typical BBC production cycles, a 2026 or early 2027 premiere is plausible. BBC Writersroom notes that script development is in progress, but filming dates remain unconfirmed.

The catch: the delay between renewal and airing means fans will wait at least a year, but the renewal itself signals the BBC’s belief in the show’s potential.

What does lemo mean in This City Is Ours?

What drug is Lemo in This City Is Ours?

Lemo is a fictional drug created for the series, not a real substance. Liverpool Echo (local newspaper) explains that the name likely derives from Scouse slang for “lemon” or “lemo” as a street term. The show uses it as a stand-in for a synthetic party drug, central to the gang’s income.

What does keep dixie mean?

“Keep dixie” is a local phrase meaning “stay alert” or “keep your eyes open.” Liverpool Echo traces it to Liverpool street vernacular. In the series, characters use it as a warning to stay sharp in the criminal world. Evening Standard (London newspaper) notes that the Scouse dialect is so integral that some international viewers struggle without subtitles.

The implication: Scouse slang is not just flavour—it’s a plot device that reinforces the show’s insider-outsider tension.

Is This City Is Ours worth watching?

Who should watch This City Is Ours?

The show rewards viewers who enjoy gritty, place-driven crime sagas. New Statesman calls it “highly superior” to generic crime dramas, citing strong performances and a sharp sense of place. Fans of Peaky Blinders will recognise the family betrayal template, though with more comedic touches.

Who might skip This City Is Ours?

If you need emotional payoff or nuanced character arcs, this may frustrate. The Guardian’s “zero emotional depth” criticism holds weight. Rotten Tomatoes audience reviews describe it as “dark, gritty, captivating and stressful”—a mix that some find overwhelming. Decider notes the setting compensates, but not everyone will find that enough.

For UK viewers who prefer character-driven drama, the choice is clear: watch if you value authentic Scouse grit, skip if you need emotional payoff. For US audiences on AMC Plus, test the first episode—if the slang feels like a barrier, the series may not grow on you.

For UK viewers who prefer character-driven drama, the choice is clear: watch if you value authentic Scouse grit, skip if you need emotional payoff. For US audiences on AMC Plus, test the first episode—if the slang feels like a barrier, the series may not grow on you. The trade-off between local authenticity and universal emotional resonance is sharp, and this show leans hard into its Liverpool identity.