Renowned actor Sean Bean is set to take on the role of gang leader Ronnie Phelan in the upcoming BBC drama series This City Is Ours.
This highly anticipated Liverpool-set crime series is created by Stephen Butchard and produced by Left Bank Pictures, the team behind the critically acclaimed series The Crown, as confirmed by Deadline.
Bean, a two-time BAFTA winner known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Time, leads a stellar cast that includes James Nelson-Joyce as Michael Kavanagh, Hannah Onslow as Diana Williams, and Jack McMullen as Jamie Phelan.
Other notable cast members include Laura Aikman, Kevin Harvey, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Mike Noble, Bobby Schofield, Darci Shaw, and Stephen Walters.
The series, directed by Saul Dibb, follows the complex dynamics within Ronnie Phelan's gang.
The storyline centers on Michael Kavanagh, played by Nelson-Joyce, who navigates the treacherous world of crime while falling in love for the first time.
This relationship brings new aspirations and vulnerabilities to his life, set against the backdrop of his gang's gradual disintegration, as per Deadline.
BBC drama boss Lindsay Salt expressed excitement about the project, stating, "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."
Sean Bean's involvement in This City Is Ours marks his return to the BBC following his acclaimed performance in the 2022 series 'Marriage'.
Bean also collaborated with Butchard previously, portraying Thomas Cromwell in Disney+'s Shardlake.
The series is part of a 12-strong BBC drama slate, which also includes another Left Bank production, Dear England.
According to Deadline, the budget for This City Is Ours ranges between Euro 2.5 million (USD 3.2 million) and Euro 3 million (USD 3.8 million) per episode.
The production is deficit-financed by Left Bank's parent company, Sony, reflecting the studio's strategy to create high-quality shows at lower price points.
This City Is Ours is penned by lead writer Stephen Butchard, with additional episodes written by Robbie O'Neill.
Simon Maloney, known for his work on Peaky Blinders and I May Destroy You, serves as the producer.
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Executive producers include Andy Harries, Rebecca Hodgson, Sian McWilliams, Butchard, Dibb, and Jo McClellan for the BBC.
Sony Pictures Television will handle international distribution. The Liverpool Film Office also supports the series through the Liverpool City Region Production Fund, further embedding the show in its authentic Liverpool setting, as per Deadline.
As anticipation builds, fans and critics alike eagerly await the premiere of 'This City Is Ours', which promises to deliver a gripping and nuanced portrayal of crime and its human consequences.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.