This City Is Ours stars reject 'glamourising crime' claims

Stars of the hit Liverpool crime drama This City Is Ours have defended the series against claims it shows the city in a negative light and glamourises a life of crime.

James Nelson-Joyce, who plays Michael Kavanagh, and Jack McMullen, who plays Jamie Phelan, said the series is fundamentally a story about relationships and could take place in any big city.

"We're just talking about what does go on in life and families," Nelson-Joyce told BBC Radio Merseyside's Tony Snell.

The show, which has been commissioned for third series, follows the fortunes of the fictional Phelans crime family, and is filmed across the city region and Spain.

But the first season of the show faced criticism by some who have said it negatively stereotypes Liverpool - a claim rejected by the actors.

"People like to watch crime shows," McMullen said.

"We're not glamorising anything in the show. I think we're very honest about the harm that this sort of stuff causes.

"And if you move in those circles, that's what goes on."

They said it is fundamentally a drama about family, which could be set in any major city.

"People like to watch crime shows," McMullen said.

"The reason why they are popular is an intrigue from the public.

"We're just talking about what goes on in life and families, it's a drama.

"If you look at every character in the show life gets worse for everyone of them."

The award-winning drama was created and written by Liverpool-born Stephen Butchard. The first series received BAFTA nominations for Best Drama and Leading Actor (James Nelson-Joyce) and attracted an average of 6.1m viewers.

Nelson-Joyce, who won Best Breakthrough Talent Award at the RTS North West Awards 2025, said he felt "pressure" to authentically represent the city.

"That's something we were concerned from the beginning," he said.

"If you're making a show like this - in the city about the city - then it has to feel authentic.

"We were careful we didn't get it wrong and we weren't playing to any stereotypes, or showing the city in a way we didn't want to.

"You want to make sure that people who you see everyday are proud of it, not embarrassed."

The pair said that, overall, the reaction to the series had been positive and they were "really proud of the show".

"It has been really well received across the board," Nelson-Joyce said.

"As long as the people are enjoying it we'll keep going."

This City Is Ours returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for series two on 25 October.

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