Filming is due to begin around now in Liverpool on This City is Ours, a sweeping new BBC One crime drama from Stephen Butchard and Left Bank Pictures.

The 8 x 60’ series centres on Michael, a man who has been involved in organised crime all his life but who then falls in love and sees a future beyond a life of criminality, corruption and greed.

His love affair with Diana is played out against a backdrop of the disintegration of Michael’s criminal gang, with an ensuing power battle challenging Michael to save the woman he loves and the child he has always wanted.

Creator, lead writer and executive producer Butchard said at the time of the official commissioning news: “I’m so excited to be working with the brilliant Left Bank and the wonderful commissioning team at BBC Drama. Set in the very real, chilling, but mostly unseen universe of organised crime, This City is Ours is a story of love, greed, ambition and power – and what we will do to seize and hold on to that power.”

Andy Harries, CEO of Left Bank Pictures and executive producer added: “This City is Ours is a visceral, gripping dynastic tale from one of the UK’s most exciting writers. The scripts pack a real punch and we’re thrilled that the BBC have given the series their backing.”

Butchard is lead writer with Robbie O’Neill penning further episodes. The director is Saul Dibb; the producer is Simon Maloney. Executive producers are Harries, Rebecca Hodgson and Sian McWilliams for Left Bank Pictures, Butchard and Dibb, and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Additional filming will take place in Spain.

Liverpool image credit: Elliott Brown via Creative Commons.