Michael and Diana have broken away from the Pehlan crime family, enjoying life in Spain.
But they are soon dragged back into the world of crime to answer questions around the death of Ricardo who was killed at the end of the last episode, and there’s a new Colombian to deal with now – Felipe.
The drug dealer was killed by Michael’s right hand man, Banksey after he discovered a bomb had been planted in his car when he was with his teenage son.
Back in Liverpool, a coup within the Phelan firm sends the business into disarray, and to make matters worse, there’s a new threat in town – Ozzie Thompson. A newly-released old-school gangster from Ronnie’s – played by Sean Bean as the leader of the ‘mob’ who was killed in the first series – past, he is out looking for compensation or revenge, whichever comes first.
Michael keeps a low profile as his investigation into Ricardo’s murder leads him into difficult territory, with no choice but to devise a plan that hinges on Diana’s cooperation, testing her loyalties more than ever before.
As Banksey’s son Freddie forms an unlikely friendship with Ozzie and the Phelan’s begin exploring business opportunities with a new supplier, more enemies lurk in the shadows. Michael may have no choice but to once again join forces with the Phelans, but that goes against everything he has promised to Diana. Will Michael be able to keep the love of his life if he can’t escape his past?
James Nelson-Joyce (Michael Kavanagh)
James Nelson-Joyce (Michael Kavanagh) (Image: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack)
For those coming to This City is Ours for the first time, can you introduce Michael?
Michael Kavanagh (JAMES NELSON-JOYCE) (Image: BBC/Leftbank Pictures/James Stack)
Michael is a very complex character; he’s torn between two worlds. One is with the love of his life, Diana (Hannah Onslow), and with them hopefully starting a family, and then there’s this other side of his life, where he’s involved in crime.
What can viewers expect from series two?
At the end of the first series Michael had decided that he wanted to choose a life with Diana, and they left for Spain. At the beginning of series two, that’s where we find them, in Happy Town, and it’s picture-perfect. Then 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 was your reaction when you first read the scripts for series two?
I was just desperate to read the next one. Each episode was left on a cliffhanger, and we didn’t know what was going to happen next. When I read the script for the final episode, I was shocked!
What is it like filming your hometown?
Filming in Liverpool again has been amazing. The city, now that they’ve seen the series, welcomed us with open arms and they’re proud of the show. There’s been a lot of people from across the world reaching out asking “where is this location?”, or “where is that restaurant?”. It’s a great opportunity for us to show the city, and everything it can offer, to even more to the world. I’m so, so proud of the series.
What makes Liverpool unique as a filming location for the series?
We’ve got beautiful architecture, the river, all the natural parks, the docks, but then we’ve also got areas that are not so gentrified – it’s a very working-class city. I’d describe it as the New York of the UK. It looks stunning on camera.
What do you love most about Liverpool?
It’s the people, we’re a unique breed, and we don’t pretend to be something we’re not. We treat people the way we want to be treated, and we have a plethora of culture coming from this city. You’ve got actors, musicians, footballers, and artists. Also, we love life. We know how to have a party. We stick together. We’re fun, warm, happy people. I’m so proud to be a Scouser.
Hannah Onslow (Diana Williams)
Hannah Onslow (Diana Williams) (Image: BBC/Left Bank Pictures/James Stack)
How would you describe Diana?
Diana is Michael’s (James Nelson-Joyce) partner. She isn’t in the gang, she’s very much a civilian. She’s resilient, strong, and also quite damaged from her traumatic past. Diana wants to start her life again, and build a whole world for herself, so she can move on, but it’s very hard for her.
Where do we find Diana at the start of series two?
Series one ended with Michael and Diana leaving the gang – Diana’s pregnant, and Michael knows her secret. She’s hoping that they can begin their life and start again. Series two starts with Diana and Michael in Spain, where they were both hoping to start afresh and begin their life together, but it all very quickly goes very wrong…
What can viewers expect from series two?
For me, series two 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, how you can go in one direction with your life, or you can go in the other, but it’s your choices that ultimately define you. In this series, we really see that come into play.
What (Creator and Lead Writer) Stephen Butchard has done is just incredible, and I don’t think viewers will expect what’s coming, none of us really knew where the scripts were going. We had all these predictions, but none of them were right! He continues to surprise us, so I was really delighted when I read the scripts for the new series. What he’s done with Diana is really incredible, and it was really exciting for me as an actress to delve into that.
How does the power shift in series two?
We see a lot of people who are used to being in power lose their power, and we see a lot more vulnerability from those that are usually in control. As a result, we see how they deal with feeling vulnerable and the choices that means they make because of that.
Is there a moment in series two you’re especially excited for audiences to see?
I’m really excited for people to meet Felipe (Álvaro Morte). He really rocks things for Diana and Michael… I think people are going to love him and also hate him!
What was it like filming back in Liverpool?
The architecture of the city is amazing, and the culture in Liverpool is so unique and special. The city is beautiful and I think the show really captures that. Also, the people are so warm and have really taken the show into their hearts. Because people had seen the first series when we started filming the second one, it was quite a different experience this time round, because people really loved it. They’re so excited about it, and really proud that this has come out of their city.
Also, I’ve never been somewhere where there’s such unity – if one person wins, the whole of Liverpool wins. The community is so strong, everyone knows each other, and everyone is rooting for each other. People are really proud to be from Liverpool, and I can see why, because it’s so special.