BBC viewers blast new drama This City is Ours as they’re...

BBC viewers blast new drama This City is Ours as they’re ‘fed up’ with cast ‘mumbling’ – but did you notice?

Published on March 24, 2025 at 10:32 AM

BBC viewers have blasted new drama This City is Ours, declaring they're ‘fed up' with the cast ‘mumbling'.

The eight-part crime drama series stars Sean Bean in a leading role as Ronnie Phelan.

Family at a christening. — BBC viewers blasted This City is Ours over cast ‘mumbling'

Sean Bean and Julie Graham at an anniversary celebration with a cake. — The new show stars Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan

Cast photo for the TV series *This City Is Ours*. — This City is Ours' leading cast members

Some BBC fans have pointed out difficulty hearing the show's dialogue – highlighting “overpowering music” and “mumbling”.

One wrote on X: “Is promising but they need to knock the soundtrack down a bit, can’t hear what’s being said sometimes!”

Another added: “The background sound/track is drowning out the speech.#thiscityisours.”

A third penned: “Can't be a***d with it. As usual mumble, mumble, mumble. Loud music overpowering.”

A fourth remarked: “Same here, must admit it's making me lose patience with it.”

A fifth said: “Fed up already with turning the sound on the tv up and down”

A sixth agreed: “What does a sound engineer do? Not very much, if this is an example of their work.”

Yet another commented: “was looking forward to this but can’t stand the pointless pulsing DONG at tense scenes ( as if we need to be told) too loud can’t hear the dialogue, time to mute.”

Elsewhere, the crime drama featured a steamy phone sex scene within minutes of its first episode.

The show follows the love affair of Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) and Diana (Hannah Onslow) – set against the disintegration of Michael’scrimegang.

Discussing her role as Diana, Hannah said: “Her and Michael’s relationship is very strong, they really do love each other so much.

“They are both at a big turning point in their life and want to start a family together.

“I don’t think Diana knew she could ever feel this way about someone, and I think the same goes for Michael.

BBC crime dramas

BBC viewers blast new drama This City is Ours as they’re ‘fed up’ with cast ‘mumbling’ – but did you notice? 3

The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.

Here's a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.

Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.

Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.

Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.

Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood â€“ tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.

Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets â€“ and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.

Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.

Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.

Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.

Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.

Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.

Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.

New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.

Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.

Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O'Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.

The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.

Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.

Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he's tasked to investigate while Wallander's job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.

“Their relationship is really special, beautifully written and it has been a complete joy to do it with James.”

Further cast members include Derry Girls‘ Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Gavin and Stacey‘s Laura Aikman and Waterloo Road‘s Jack McMullen.

This City is Ours airs on BBC One and iPlayer.