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How to watch This City Is Ours season 2: streaming and TV guide

To watch This City Is Ours season 2, viewers in the UK can use BBC iPlayer or tune into BBC One starting October 25, 2026. Following its success as the BBC's most-watched new drama in 2025, the second season features eight episodes focusing on the fallout of the Phelan firm's disarray. While the UK release is immediate, international availability varies by region, with Australia receiving the series on Stan shortly after the British premiere. This guide details the specific platforms and methods available for watching the series globally.

How to watch This City Is Ours season 2: streaming and TV guide

Where can I watch This City Is Ours season 2 in the UK?

In the United Kingdom, the primary way to watch This City Is Ours season 2 is through the BBC's digital and linear platforms. All eight episodes of the second installment are made available on BBC iPlayer starting Sunday, October 25, 2026. This allows viewers to stream the series at their convenience on various connected devices.

For those who prefer traditional broadcasting, the series is also airing on the BBC One television channel. The broadcast schedule follows a pattern of airing on Sundays and Mondays at 9pm BST, beginning with the premiere on October 25. To access the digital content via iPlayer, users must possess a valid TV licence and maintain a registered account associated with a UK postcode, such as SE1 7PB.

Streaming vs. Linear TV options

The dual-release strategy provides flexibility for different viewing habits. BBC iPlayer serves as the on-demand hub, whereas BBC One provides the scheduled appointment viewing. Both methods ensure that the massive audience generated by the 2025 season can transition seamlessly into the new storylines involving Michael and Diana's attempt to move away from their criminal pasts.

How can I watch This City Is Ours season 2 from outside the UK?

Watching This City Is Ours season 2 from abroad depends heavily on your specific location due to regional licensing agreements. Because the BBC often geo-blocks its iPlayer content to users outside of the United Kingdom, international viewers may encounter restrictions when attempting to access the stream directly. One common method used to navigate these restrictions is the implementation of a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which allows users to connect to a UK-based server to appear as though they are accessing the service locally.

However, the availability of the show varies significantly across different major markets:

  • Australia: Fans in Australia have a very short wait, as the series is scheduled to land on the streaming service Stan on October 26, just one day after the UK launch.
  • United States: While an official release date for the US has not been confirmed, the first season was hosted on AMC+. It is highly probable that season 2 will eventually follow a similar distribution path on that platform.
  • Canada: There is currently no confirmed Canadian release date for the second season. However, the first season is available on Crave, suggesting that the second season will likely be hosted there in the future.

If you are traveling within the US or Canada but are a UK resident, using a VPN can help you maintain access to your usual BBC iPlayer library by masking your current location.

Who is in the cast of This City Is Ours season 2?

The second season continues to feature a high-profile ensemble led by veteran actor Sean Bean, who portrays Ronnie Phelan. The narrative shifts focus toward the complex lives of Michael Kavanagh and Diana Williams, played by James Nelson-Joyce and Hannah Onslow respectively, as they navigate the consequences of their previous actions and the chaos within the Phelan organization.

The expanded cast for the new season includes several key players who drive the tension of the eight-episode arc:

ActorRole
Sean BeanRonnie Phelan
James Nelson-JoyceMichael Kavanagh
Hannah OnslowDiana Williams
Shaun EvansOzzie Thompson
Jack McMullenJamie Phelan
Darci ShawMelissa Sullivan
Julie GrahamElaine Phelan
Laura AikmanRachel Duffy
Stephen WaltersDavey Crawford
Saoirse-Monica JacksonCheryl Crawford

The introduction of Ozzie Thompson, played by Shaun Evans, is expected to present a significant new threat to the existing power structures established in the first season.

What is the plot of This City Is Ours season 2?

The second season of This City Is Ours is set to explore themes of power struggles and the immense consequences of criminal life. Following the events of the first season, the Phelan firm is in a state of disarray, creating a vacuum of power that invites new conflicts. Central to the plot is the attempt by Michael and Diana to 'go straight,' a goal that is complicated by the arrival of new threats and the lingering shadow of their past.

The production has emphasized the unpredictable nature of the upcoming episodes. According to actor James Nelson-Joyce, the scripts were filled with cliffhangers that made the progression of the story difficult to anticipate. Co-star Hannah Onslow has also noted that the writing by Stephen Butchard takes the characters in directions that even the cast found surprising, particularly regarding the development of Diana's character.

Thematic elements and production scale

With the BBC already having greenlit a third season, the narrative structure of season 2 is designed to build significant momentum. The eight episodes are expected to lean into the 'gritty crime drama' genre, utilizing the chaos of the Phelan family's collapse to drive character-driven tension. The series aims to maintain the high viewership numbers it achieved in 2025 by delivering unexpected plot twists and high-stakes drama.

Frequently asked questions

Can I watch This City Is Ours season 2 for free?

Yes, you can watch the series for free in the UK via BBC iPlayer. Access requires a valid TV licence and a registered account using a UK postcode. Additionally, the show is available on the free-to-air BBC One channel on a scheduled basis.

When does season 2 air in Australia?

In Australia, This City Is Ours season 2 is scheduled to begin streaming on Stan on October 26, 2026. This release occurs just one day after the initial premiere in the United Kingdom, making it one of the earliest international releases.

Is there a US release date for the new season?

There is currently no confirmed release date for the second season in the United States. However, based on the distribution of the first season, it is expected to eventually become available on the AMC+ streaming service.

How do I watch BBC iPlayer if I am traveling?

If you are outside the UK, you can use a VPN to access BBC iPlayer. By connecting to a UK server, you can bypass geo-blocking and stream the series as if you were located within the United Kingdom.

Is a third season planned?

Yes, the BBC has already greenlit a third season of This City Is Ours. This confirmation follows the massive success of the first season, which became the broadcaster's most-watched new drama of 2025.

Key takeaways

  • Season 2 premiered in the UK on October 25, 2026, via BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
  • Australian viewers can stream the series on Stan starting October 26, 2026.
  • The series consists of eight episodes focusing on the Phelan family's collapse.
  • A third season has already been officially greenlit by the BBC.
  • US viewers should look to AMC+ for potential future availability.

The future of the series

The massive success of the first season has clearly cemented This City Is Ours as a cornerstone of the BBC's crime drama lineup. With a third season already confirmed, the franchise is positioned for long-term growth. As the second season unfolds, the focus remains on the unpredictable character arcs and the high-stakes power struggles that have become the show's hallmark. For international audiences, the wait for official local streaming rights continues, though digital tools provide a temporary bridge to the UK broadcast.