- **Q: What is 'This City Is Ours' about?
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This City Is Ours: Sean Bean's Liverpool Gang Drama Divides Critics But Earns Praise | Rooster: Steve Carell and Charly Clive Explore Messy Father-Daughter Dynamics | Bridgerton Season 4: Love, Loss, and New Beginnings | Bri on 'Love Is Blind' Engaged to Connor: Everything You Need to Know | Kiernan Shipka Navigates Power and Consequences in Industry Threesome | The Beauty: Ryan Murphy's Body Horror Series | It's Not Like That Premieres on Prime Video: A Heartwarming Family Drama | Industry Season 4: Diving Deeper into Darkness and Moral Ambiguity | The Walking Dead: Why Andrew Lincoln Wore Out Rick Grimes' Boots | This City Is Ours: Sean Bean's Liverpool Gang Drama Divides Critics But Earns Praise | Rooster: Steve Carell and Charly Clive Explore Messy Father-Daughter Dynamics | Bridgerton Season 4: Love, Loss, and New Beginnings | Bri on 'Love Is Blind' Engaged to Connor: Everything You Need to Know | Kiernan Shipka Navigates Power and Consequences in Industry Threesome | The Beauty: Ryan Murphy's Body Horror Series | It's Not Like That Premieres on Prime Video: A Heartwarming Family Drama | Industry Season 4: Diving Deeper into Darkness and Moral Ambiguity | The Walking Dead: Why Andrew Lincoln Wore Out Rick Grimes' Boots
Television / Drama Reviews
This City Is Ours: Sean Bean's Liverpool Gang Drama Divides Critics But Earns Praise
The new BBC One crime drama 'This City Is Ours', set in Liverpool and starring Sean Bean, is generating buzz and discussion. Written by Stephen Butchard ('The Last Kingdom'), the eight-part series delves into the city's underworld, focusing...
Key Insights
- **Plot Overview:** The series follows Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce), right-hand man to veteran drug lord Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean). Michael falls in love and seeks a way out of the criminal life, but a missing cocaine shipment and the ambitions of Ronnie's son, Jamie (Jack McMullen), complicate his plans.
- **Critical Divide:** Reviews are mixed. The Guardian awarded it 4/5 stars, calling it a 'superior gangland drama' initially, despite later plot issues. BBC Radio 5 Live's 'Must Watch' review panel was split, with some finding it gripping and well-acted, while others found it 'slow moving and cliched'.
- **Sean Bean's Take:** The star himself is highly enthusiastic, calling it 'mould-breaking television' and one of the 'most enjoyable series' he's worked on, expressing genuine upset when filming ended.
- **Viewer Reaction:** Early audience buzz appears positive, with viewers on social media reporting being 'hooked' and calling it 'brilliant'.
- **Why This Matters:** The show taps into the continued audience appetite for gritty crime dramas. Its reception highlights the challenge of innovating within a familiar genre, while Sean Bean's involvement guarantees significant attention.
In-Depth Analysis
### Navigating Liverpool's Underworld 'This City Is Ours' positions itself as a significant entry in the UK crime drama landscape. Set against the backdrop of Liverpool, it explores the complex dynamics of a crime family led by the experienced Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean). The central conflict revolves around his trusted associate Michael (James Nelson-Joyce), who yearns for a different life with his new love, Diana (Hannah Onslow), clashing with the entitled aspirations of Ronnie's son, Jamie (Jack McMullen).
### Critical Crossroads: Cliché or Classic? Critics acknowledge the show's strong performances, particularly from Bean and Nelson-Joyce, who previously starred together in 'Time'. The Guardian praised its 'dark, tight, unpredictable' start and themes of succession and betrayal, likening its ambition to 'The Sopranos' meets 'The Godfather', scouse-style. However, the same review noted a dip in quality with a 'risible plotline' and 'lacklustre finale'.
The BBC 'Must Watch' review further highlighted this divide. Some praised its character focus, self-awareness (especially in later episodes), and the portrayal of how gangsters compartmentalize their lives. Others, however, felt bogged down by familiar tropes, finding the characters 'one-note' and the pacing slow, arguing the comparisons to classics like 'The Sopranos' were unearned. The use of music and the authenticity of the Liverpool setting were also debated points among reviewers.
### Star Power and Potential Despite the critical nuances, Sean Bean's commitment shines through. His statement about being 'really upset' at the series' end and his belief in its potential to become a 'classic' underscore a deep personal investment. This, combined with positive initial viewer feedback suggests the show may find a strong audience, even if critical consensus remains divided. The exploration of the wives and girlfriends' perspectives, though perhaps underutilized according to some critics, offers a potentially fresh angle on the genre.
FAQ
- **Q: Who stars in 'This City Is Ours'?
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- **Q: How have critics reviewed 'This City Is Ours'?
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Takeaways
- If you're a fan of Sean Bean or enjoy character-driven crime dramas with themes of loyalty and betrayal, 'This City Is Ours' might be compelling viewing.
- Be prepared for familiar genre elements; while some find depth, others see it as derivative of shows like 'The Sopranos' or 'The Godfather'.
- Despite mixed critical reviews, strong performances and initial positive audience buzz suggest it's finding an audience.
Discussion
Does 'This City Is Ours' live up to the hype and comparisons to crime drama greats? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Sources
The week in TV: This City Is Ours; Love and Loss: The Pandemic 5 Years On; The Studio; The Change – review
Sean Bean reflects on emotional exit from BBC series saying 'I was really upset' (Note: URL inferred for reference based on article title in input)
BBC Radio 5 Live - Must Watch reviews: This City is Ours (Note: URL inferred for reference based on programme details in input)
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