This City Is Ours is an eight-part BBC One crime drama that premiered on March 23, 2025, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Created by Stephen Butchard (The Last Kingdom, The Good Mothers), the series is set in Liverpool and follows Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce), a key figure in organized crime who runs a cocaine smuggling operation alongside gang boss Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean). We at NetFilming are thrilled to introduce you to the filming locations of This City Is Ours, which set the tone for this 2025 thriller. From Liverpool’s historic streets to Spain’s luxurious villas, these are the locations that provide the show with a gritty but seductive feel. Let’s take a closer look at the filming locations that define This City Is Ours and reveal why they are critical to its storytelling.
What Is This City Is Ours About?
This City Is Ours focuses on Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce), an old-school criminal who is maneuvering through the organized crime of Liverpool. A shipment of cocaine goes missing, threatening not only the empire he has worked for but also his new relationship with Diana (Hannah Onslow). As his world starts to fall apart, Michael is betrayed by his mentor Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean), a brutal underworld leader looking to step down. Ronnie’s enterprising son, Jamie (Jack McMullen), exploits the opportunity to assert his authority, enflaming a bloody power struggle. Saul Dibb, John Hayes and Eshref Reybrouck direct; faith, greed and survival figure into the mix. The stakes are heightened even more by Liverpool’s extreme culture and rough streets, while the ensemble cast — including Julie Graham and Saoirse-Monica Jackson — deliver raw performances. Described as a “love letter to Liverpool,” the show combines emotional nuance with high-stakes drama, so its backdrops are crucial to its potency.
Where was This City Is Ours filmed?
This City Is Ours was mostly shot in Liverpool, England, and Marbella, Spain, along with other parts of the Costa del Sol region of Spain. The series spent 17 weeks filming across 2024, capturing the essence of Liverpool, including the city’s inherent culture and architecture, with Spanish filming locations that provided a contrast for the gang’s overseas dealings. Below are the main filming destinations:
Liverpool, England
Liverpool serves as the primary setting, with its streets, waterfront, and neighborhoods portrayed as a character in the drama. The city’s raw energy, Irish influence and dockside history are celebrated, with the director Saul Dibb focusing on an appreciation of its “heart, soul and diverse architecture.”
- Georgian Quarter: Known for cobbled streets and 19th-century buildings, this area adds authenticity to scenes of betrayal and power struggles.
- Royal Albert Dock and Waterfront: The iconic waterfront, with its industrial charm, features in pivotal moments, tying the story to Liverpool’s trade history.
- Saint Philip Neri Church, Toxteth: A christening scene filmed here grounds the drama in real community spaces.
- Hope Street and Exchange Flags: These central locations capture Liverpool’s lively spirit in the opening episode.
- St Paul’s Square: Filmed in August and September 2024, this area was transformed with flower stalls for a high-budget production scene.
- Queens Road, Wallasey: On the Wirral Peninsula, this suburban area with waterfront views hosts the Phelan family’s luxurious home, symbolizing Ronnie’s wealth.
- Ormskirk Road, Aintree: A restaurant here was used for a tense exchange, enhancing the show’s realism.
- Chinatown and Other Neighborhoods: Various scenes utilized Liverpool’s tight-knit communities and cultural landmarks, enhancing the show’s local flavor.
Shooting throughout the region, the series showcased the increasing popularity of Liverpool as a filming destination, something James Nelson-Joyce recognised – “The city looked absolutely beautiful.”
Benahavís and Marbella, Spain
The show also filmed in Spain, specifically Marbella and the adjacent area of Benahavís, to show the gang’s multimillion-pound international cocaine trade and life of luxury. Marbella was selected for its standing as a home to European gangsters with a dramatic but rough-and-ready feel, as this contrasts with the Liverpool setting.
- Marbella: Scenes were shot in this coastal city, capturing its sunny beaches and upscale resorts. The Spanish shoot began here, with Sean Bean humorously noting the lack of gravy during filming.
- Monte Mayor, Benahavís: A luxurious gated community in Benahavís, and in particular the villa Casa Cuiabá, served as one of the main scenes for the filming. This 5,127 m² Andalusian-style mansion, with views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar, and Africa was portrayed as the lavish, refined side of organized crime. Monte Mayor’s 24-hour security, its golf courses and its mountain views contributed to that high-stakes look.
- Sierra del Torcal Mountain Range: This ruggedly beautiful area appeared in scenic shots, enhancing the Spanish sequences’ visual impact.
Filming in Spain started in May 2024, capturing both luxury and tension.
This City Is Ours Behind the Scenes
The making of This City Is Ours was a shared production that captured the spirit of Liverpool and the glamour of Spain. Filming spanned 17 weeks in 2024, with Left Bank Pictures coordinating a high-budget production. The director, in a statement, spoke of Liverpool’s importance: “It’s a city with heart, soul and diverse architecture which makes every frame beat.” The Liverpool Film Office supported the shoot, using local crews and bringing £9 million into the local economy. The Liverpool-born actor James Nelson-Joyce praised the authenticity: “Shooting here feels like we are telling our city’s story — it’s defiant and real.” The remote Monte Mayor villa in Spain was hard to reach, but the views were worth it.
The cast, including Sean Bean, embraced the contrast between Liverpool’s grit and Marbella’s sun-soaked sets, with Bean joking, “No gravy in Spain, but the views made up for it.” This blend of local pride and international flair shaped a series critics call “marvellous and witty.”
When Was This City Is Ours Filmed?
Production started in May 2024 and was filmed over 17 weeks, with the team shooting at various urban locations in Liverpool and coastal parts of Spain. Such inspired location filming added authenticity and scope to a series that surely stands tall in BBC One’s history.
This City Is Ours Official Trailer
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