First look images show Sean Bean as Liverpool gangster in epic new BBC crime drama

First look images reveal Sean Bean transforming into a Liverpool gangster for a new BBC crime drama.

The images, exclusively released to LADbible by the BBC, see Bean alongside a star-studded cast including James Nelson Joyce, Hannah Onslow, Julie Graham and Gavin and Stacey star Laura Aikman.

Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan and Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan (Jamie Stack via BBC)

The prestige doesn’t stop there, as Stephen Butchard, the writer behind beloved drama The Last Kingdom, penned the script.

The show is called This City Is Ours, and is a crime drama following Bean as gang leader Ronnie Phelan.

Nelson-Joyce stars alongside him as Michael Kavanagh, Ronnie’s best friend and fellow gang member.

James Joyce stars alongside Bean as Michael Kavanagh (Jamie Stack via BBC)

The BBC show is set and filmed in Liverpool, with additional filming being done in Spain, and will centre around Ronnie hinting towards retirement.

When he does this, Michael starts considering whether or not a better life is possible for him.

This is because, for the first time, he has fallen in love with a woman called Diana Williams, played by Hannah Onslow.

Hannah Onslow as Diane Williams alongside Nelson Joyce as Kavanagh (Jamie Stack via BBC)

Added to this complex web of relationships is Ronnie's son Jamie, played by Jack McMullen.

Jamie has picked up on Ronnie’s hints of retirement and wants to inherit the business for himself.

This, he decides, means Michael has to go.

Michael has been importing cocaine into Liverpool alongside Ronnie for years now and, when a shipment goes missing, he realises their operation is under attack.

Jack McMullen plays Ronnie Phelan's son Jamie (Jamie Stack via BBC)

When will This City Is Ours be released?

An exact release date has not yet been set, however the BBC has confirmed it will release in the spring on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, with Sony dealing with the international distribution for the show.

Filling out the main cast is Julie Graham, who plays Elaine, head of the Phelan crime family alongside her husband Ronnie.

Aikman also stars as Rachel Duffy hot off the heels of her scene-stealing performance in the Gavin and Stacey finale as Sonia.

Aikman returned to the role this Christmas after five years, and had to hide that fact even from her family.

Laura Aikman as Rachel Duffy alongside Kevin Harvey as Bobby Duffy (Jamie Stack via BBC)

The show is an epic crime eight-part crime drama that fans will be raring to watch after seeing the first look photos.

Director of BBC Drama boss previously said when filming began for the series: “It’s a joy to see cameras rolling on This City is Ours with a glorious cast who have made Stephen Butchard’s sublime scripts even more exciting.”

In addition to The Last Kingdom, the competitor for Vikings that many felt filled the void after the end of Game of Thrones, Butchard has written several other acclaimed series including The Good Mothers, Five Daughters and Bagdhad Central.

This City is Ours is coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in spring of 2025 in the UK.