This City is Ours series 2 filming locations include 'New York of the UK' and Michael and Diana's 'Happy Town' in Spain
Cast and crew filmed across two beautiful European cities
This City is Ours returns to our screens with series 2 this October and viewers might well recognise some of the filming locations used in the BBC One crime drama.
Series 1 of the gripping crime drama introduced the Phelan crime family. But, no sooner had we become acquainted with them, then they began to implode…
This year, series 2 catches up with the gang, but don’t expect them to be any wiser. They are still wrestling for power of the drug business, displaying too much ego, and too little brain.
Michael Kavanagh, on the other hand, showed some sense in the series 1 finale. He decided to escape a life of crime, and start a new life in Spain with his pregnant girlfriend Diana. And that’s where we find them at the beginning of series 2.
But did cast and crew actually film in Spain? What filming locations were really used in This City is Ours series 2? Read on to find out.
Where is This City is Ours series 2 set?
Like series 1, This City is Ours continues to be set in Liverpool. The UK city is where the Phelan family, and its criminal associates, do their dodgy dealings.
In Liverpool, a coup within the Phelan firm sends the business into disarray. And, to make matters worse, there’s a new threat in town – Ozzie Thompson. A newly-released old-school gangster from Ronnie’s past, he is out looking for compensation or revenge, whichever comes first.
Although series 2 begins with Michael and Diana more in love than ever and living in their “Spanish Happy Town”. But was it actually filmed in Spain?
Where was it actually filmed?
Cast and crew of This City is Ours series 2 did actually film in and around the former European Capital of Culture Liverpool.
Viewers will recognise some of the stunning city’s landmarks, including the vibrant city centre, the Royal Albert Dock, the Royal Liver Building, and The Three Graces on the waterfront area at the Pier Head in Liverpool, England.
In episode 5, viewers will see Michael run across the Princes Dock Footbridge, part of the Liverpool Waters and Port of Liverpool area. The distinctive white pedestrian bridge features arched rib structures often compared to the ribcage of a whale.
It’s not the first TV drama to be set in the birthplace of The Beatles. In the past few years, TV crews have filmed The Responder, Peaky Blinders, The Crown, The Gathering, and Betrayal. The upcoming BBC series Legacy of Spies, starring Matthew Macfadyen and Hugh Laurie, is currently filming in the city.
Talking about filming in his home city, James Nelson-Joyce – who plays Michael Kavanagh – said: “Filming in Liverpool again has been amazing. The city, now that they’ve seen the series, welcomed us with open arms and they’re proud of the show. It’s a great opportunity for us to show the city, and everything it can offer, to even more to the world. I’m so, so proud of the series.”
‘Liverpool is a very working class city’
Explaining what makes Liverpool such a unique filming location, he added: “We’ve got beautiful architecture, the river, all the natural parks, and the docks. But then we’ve also got areas that are not so gentrified. It’s a very working-class city. I’d describe it as the New York of the UK. It looks stunning on camera.”
The actor, 37, believes the “unique breed of people” that makes Liverpool so special. He said: “We don’t pretend to be something we’re not. We treat people the way we want to be treated, and we have a plethora of culture coming from this city. You’ve got actors, musicians, footballers, and artists. Also, we love life. We know how to have a party. We stick together. We’re fun, warm, happy people. I’m so proud to be a Scouser.”
What filming locations in Spain were used in This City is Ours?
The scenes in Spain were filmed in Malaga and the surrounding area. The city of Malaga can be found in Andalusia. It sits on the Mediterranean coast in southern Spain, and it the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso. Holidayers will know it as the primary gateway to Spain’s sun-drenched Costa del Sol.
Series 1 also saw the BBC One production team set camp in Malaga, as well as Marbella, Torcal National Park, and Cartagena.
Talking about filming in Spain, James Nelson-Joyce said it was “picture-perfect”.
Where is Felipe’s house?
Felipe Guzman’s luxury house, with stunning pool and sea views, was actually filmed in an Andalusian-style villa in Nagüeles, Marbella Golden Mile, Malaga.
The property features 5 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, elevator access to all levels, and interiors decorated with handcrafted Moroccan mosaics.
In episode 2, Diana and Cheryl dine with Felipe in a Spanish restaurant. It was filmed at Nota Blu Marbella, famous for its French-Mediterranean haute cuisine.
This City is Ours series 2 filming locations: ‘The culture in Liverpool is so unique and special’
Although actress Hannah Onslow, who plays Diana Williams, spent some of the shoot in Spain, it’s Liverpool that had her heart.
Although she’s Romford-born, she loves filming in Liverpool. She explained: “The architecture of the city is amazing, and the culture in Liverpool is so unique and special. The city is beautiful and I think the show really captures that. Also, the people are so warm and have really taken the show into their hearts. Because people had seen the first series when we started filming the second one, it was quite a different experience this time round, because people really loved it. They’re so excited about it, and really proud that this has come out of their city.”
She continued: “I’ve never been somewhere where there’s such unity. If one person wins, the whole of Liverpool wins. The community is so strong, everyone knows each other, and everyone is rooting for each other. People are really proud to be from Liverpool, and I can see why, because it’s so special.”
Julie Graham, who plays Elaine Phelan, admitted that Liverpool is her “adopted home now”. She revealed: “There’s something magical about the city. It’s a kind of alchemy. It’s not surprising that some of the best music and art has come out of here.”
Meanwhile, Bobby Duffy actor Kevin Harvey described Liverpool as “a very grounded place which doesn’t suffer fools”.
This City is Ours series 2 filming locations: Where is the Phelan house?
The Phelan house is situated in Caldy, Wirral, an affluent village located just across the River Mersey from Liverpool. It’s a big modern white house, with a long driveway plenty big enough for several cars. It’s surrounded by leafy green trees. In fact, you’d never guess the people inside the walls were capable of serious crimes…
The white house has spacious grounds, complete with outdoor kitchen, hot tub and sun loungers.
What building does Cheryl work in?
Cheryl works at a bookshop which is actually housed in the historic Bluecoat Chambers in School Lane, famous for its Queen Anne-style façade.
Built between 1716 and 1717 as a charity school (the Blue Coat Hospital), it is the oldest surviving building in Liverpool city centre. It’s now a Grade I listed building, and operates as an arts centre. The Bluecoat houses galleries, artist studios, and cultural events.
Key filming locations in This City is Ours series 2
- The White Hart Pub on Hope Street, a Dickensian-style pub, features in This City is Ours S2.
- The Old School House on Lark Lane, Sefton Park, was used for interior and exterior scenes.
- Michael talks to Banksey’s solicitor inside The Vines Pub on Lime Street in episode 6. Affectionately known as The Big House, it’s a historic Grade II* listed Edwardian pub a short walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
- Locals will recognise Bixteth Street in Liverpool city centre, near the commercial district near Old Hall Street.
- Cast and crew also filmed in Liverpool’s Chinatown, the oldest Chinese community in Europe.
- Episode 3 sees Michael meet Cheryl in Yonder cafe on Simpson Street.
- In episode 4, viewers see Diana and Cheryl walk beside the Museum of Liverpool on the Pier Head on the Liverpool Waterfront.
- In episode 5, Michael and Bobby meet outside of Liverpool Cathedral, viewed from the grounds of St James’ Gardens. It’s the largest cathedral in Britain and the longest in the world.
- Ozzie’s son is seen leaving The Blue Coat School on Church Road in Wavertree. It’s a historic Grade II listed, 300+ year-old mixed state grammar school, which was previously used as a filming location in Peaky Blinders.
- Diana and Cheryl enjoy drinks at the Gaucho Liverpool, an Argentinian steakhouse located inside the historic, Grade II-listed building on Water Street. In series 1, the restaurant was where Diana worked.
- In the closing scenes of episode 6, Michael meets Diana’s mum in Papillon restaurant on Hope Street.
Read more: This City is Ours cast of famous faces led by Sean Bean and James Nelson-Joyce in tense BBC thriller
