Mayor Steve Rotheram has hailed new BBC drama This City Is Ours a success for the city region after it was revealed the series provided a £9m boost to the local economy.

The series from Left Bank Pictures, the award-winning creators of The Crown, was supported by the Liverpool City Region Production Fund via Liverpool City Council’s Film Office and is set to launch on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Sunday 23rd March.

Created by local writer Stephen Butchard (The Good Mothers, The Last Kingdom), the production spent around 17 weeks filming in the Liverpool City Region last year and during this time generated and safeguarded 300 direct, indirect and induced Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs for local people while also supporting 17 trainees into industry – as well welcoming two apprentices from the Film Office.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“The LCR Production Fund isn’t just bringing millions into our local economy—it’s opening doors for local people, giving them life-changing opportunities and helping them get a foot in the door of the industry.

“By backing projects like This City Is Ours, alongside the world-class talent and infrastructure we’ve got here, we’re making sure our region isn’t just part of the conversation—we’re leading it by working to cement the region as the ‘Hollywood of the North.’”

This City Is Ours stars Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan alongside Scousers James Nelson-Joyce who plays Ronnie’s friend Michael Kavanagh and Jack McMullen as Ronnie’s son Jamie Phelan, Hannah Onslow as Diana Williams, Michael’s partner and Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan – head of the Phelan family alongside her husband Ronnie.

Other local talent includes Kevin Harvey as Bobby Duffy, Mike Noble as Banksey, Bobby Schofield as Bonehead, Darci Shaw as Melissa Sullivan, and Stephen Walters as Davy Crawford.

Head of Liverpool Film Office and Fund Manager, Lynn Saunders said:

“This City Is Ours is a fantastic example of how the LCR Production Fund has worked to not only draw in production but bring great benefit the local economy.

“The project has reported a total spend for the region at just under £9m which equates to just under £20 for each £1 spent of the Fund’s investment – which is an outstanding achievement.

“With a gripping script from creator and local writer Stephen Butchard and championing our homegrown talent, there’s certainly a special buzz around this project and we can’t wait to see how it plays out on the screen.”

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

“This City Is Ours is another shining output of the LCR Production Fund, not only championing local crew, businesses and locations but providing fantastic step-up opportunities to those starting out in their film and TV careers.

“A total of 10 projects have now received investment from the fund and when you see the positive impact each one has had, it’s a fantastic success story for our region.

“I’m looking forward to hearing more about the careers of those who have been given their start in the industry thanks to this project!”

The Responder, Time and Help were all previous recipients of the LCR Production Fund.

The Liverpool City Region Production Fund was launched by Mayor Steve Rotheram in 2019 with £3m from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. It has supported productions including the award winning ‘Time’ and The Responder.