Fans of gritty British crime dramas have cause to celebrate as the BBC confirms a third season for 'This City Is Ours.' The announcement comes ahead of the second season's premiere this Sunday, a rare show of confidence from the broadcaster, signaling its intent for the Liverpudlian saga to become a long-term fixture.

The early renewal is hardly surprising given the first season's impressive performance. 'This City Is Ours' debuted to critical acclaim and massive viewership, with its opening episode drawing nearly 8.5 million viewers, solidifying its status as one of the biggest new drama launches of its debut year.

The series, created and primarily written by Stephen Butchard, delves into the treacherous world of Liverpool's criminal underworld. It stars James Nelson-Joyce as Michael Kavanagh, a gang leader grappling with power struggles and rival factions. The upcoming second season picks up with Michael and Diana in Spain, only for them to be pulled back into the fray to address questions surrounding a character's death. Season two introduces new faces to the cast, including Shaun Evans and 'Money Heist' star Álvaro Morte, joining returning cast members, with Sean Bean having featured in the first season.

Butchard expressed his enthusiasm for the early commission, stating, "Following the quite breathtaking response to series one, myself, the cast and our wonderful crew were all determined not to drop the ball and endeavour to deliver an even better series two." He added, "No spoilers, but I’m hoping this fantastic early commission from the BBC for a third series is an indication that we may have come close to doing just that."

Commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, 'This City Is Ours' is a production of Left Bank, the company behind hits like 'The Crown.' Butchard will once again serve as lead writer for the third installment. Executive producers for the third series include Charlotte Moore, Rebecca Hodgson, and Sian McWilliams for Left Bank, along with Butchard and Jo McClellan for the BBC. For international viewers, the first season is available in the U.S. via AMC+, with Sony Pictures Television handling global distribution for the series.