For our February 2026 cover story Elizabeth Aubrey spoke to actor James Nelson-Joyce about A Thousand Blows season 2, what it means to work alongside the likes of Stephen Graham and Sean Bean, and the success of acclaimed BBC drama This City Is Ours.
As part of the interview, Nelson-Joyce opened up about the success of This City Is Ours and advice he got from legendary actor Sean Bean.
“Michael was a dream character with many different faces,” he shared about This City Is Ours where he plays ambitious drug-dealer Michael Kavanagh.
He continued: “There’s his work face, home face, game face – playing a character with all these complexities was a gift more than anything. I’ve loved every moment of it.”
He shared he’s been “overwhelmed with the success” the show has had, being dubbed the ‘Scouse Sopranos’ by critics and currently filming season 2.
“I mean it’s a pressure too because I mean The Sopranos is, in my opinion, the greatest television series ever written. I think we just wanted it to be its own show with its own dilemmas, its own complexities, its own storylines.”
It was one of the most watched shows on the BBC in 2025 and saw Nelson-Joyce take his first big leading role in a prime-time Sunday night show: his performance was universally praised.
In season one, Michael works alongside drug boss Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean) who is planning his retirement.
While he’s promised Michael can take over his drugs empire, he’s torn between giving it to him and his own son, Jamie, (Jack McMullen), who can’t quite cut the mustard as drug kingpin as much as Michael.
Nelson-Joyce – spoiler alert – subsequently kills his boss in an Iago-like moment that must surely have seen Sean Bean fans around the globe hating him all over again after he previously terrorised Bean when they starred together in Time, back in 2021.
Does he get hate mail from the actor’s loyal fanbase? He laughs. “Amazingly, I don’t actually,” he laughed.
He mimicked the acting legend’s Yorkshire accent. “‘Oh no, not you again!’ he said to me on day one of filming This City Is Ours. Sean was really easy to work with, a true gentleman and I was so lucky to have worked with him.”
He said Bean also offered him advice. “He’s a very unassuming character; there’s no ego. I think the biggest advice Sean gave me was like rest is important too.”
“On your days off, you do have to rest because it’s long hours, long days and even when you’re not filming, you’re in for script meetings, rehearsals, costume fittings, rehearsals and interviews.
“There’s a lot that comes with it. He just said to me rest is the most important thing and never be afraid to ask for something if you need help.”
Issue 15, on sale soon here
