Time (2021)
Jimmy McGovern's award-winning BBC One prison drama — raw, gripping, and emotionally devastating across two unmissable series.
Time - Series Information
- Original Title: Time
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2023
- Created by: Jimmy McGovern
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 45 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: June 6, 2021 (Canada - 18+), June 6, 2021 (United Kingdom - 15), June 6, 2021 (Germany - 12), June 6, 2021 (France - 16), June 6, 2021 (Australia - M), June 6, 2021 (Brazil - 16), June 6, 2021 (Mexico - C), June 6, 2021 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: BBC One
- Alternative Titles: 警与囚 (CN), Condena (ES), UK Time (US), זמן (IL), Dömda (SE)
- Production Companies: BBC Studios Drama Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Time - Plot
Guilt, violence and impossible choices – what does it take to survive? Tense, gritty and heartbreaking – Jimmy McGovern's award-winning prison drama, with an all-star cast.
Time - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what awaits inside Jimmy McGovern's gripping prison drama.
Where to Watch Time
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Time - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Jimmy McGovern
Main Cast
- Siobhan Finneran
- James Nelson-Joyce
- Sean Bean
- Stephen Graham
- Bella Ramsey
- Jodie Whittaker
- Tamara Lawrance
- Alicia Forde
- Faye McKeever
- Nicholas Nunn
Writers
- Jimmy McGovern
- Helen Black
Executive Producers
- Stephen Graham
- Lucy Richer
- Lewis Arnold
- Sean Bean
- Jimmy McGovern
Time - FAQs
What is Time about?
Time is a BBC One prison drama written by Jimmy McGovern. Series 1 follows a guilt-ridden prisoner and a prison officer caught in a dangerous moral trap inside a men's prison. Series 2 shifts to a women's prison, exploring equally harrowing themes of survival, addiction, and systemic failure.
Where can I stream Time online?
Time is available to stream on BritBox and the BritBox Apple TV Channel and BritBox Amazon Channel. You can also buy or rent episodes on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Did Time win any awards?
Time earned widespread critical acclaim and multiple award nominations. Stephen Graham and Sean Bean both received BAFTA nominations for Series 1, with Graham winning the BAFTA for Best Actor. The series was widely praised as one of the finest British dramas in years.
Why did Sean Bean and Stephen Graham both executive produce Time?
Both Sean Bean and Stephen Graham were deeply invested in the project beyond their acting roles. Their involvement as executive producers reflects their commitment to authentic, socially conscious storytelling. Graham in particular has championed projects exploring working-class and marginalised experiences throughout his career.
Is Time Series 2 a continuation or a new story?
Series 2 is a standalone story set in a women's prison, with an entirely new cast led by Jodie Whittaker, Bella Ramsey, and Siobhan Finneran. It shares the same creator, tone, and thematic DNA as Series 1 but tells a completely independent narrative.
Who are the main actors in Time?
Series 1 stars Sean Bean as prisoner Mark Cobden and Stephen Graham as prison officer Eric McNally. Series 2 features Jodie Whittaker, Bella Ramsey, Siobhan Finneran, and Tamara Lawrance, among others. Both series boast exceptional ensemble casts.
How many episodes does Time have in total?
Time has 6 episodes across 2 seasons. Series 1 consists of 3 episodes set in a men's prison, and Series 2 also runs for 3 episodes set in a women's prison. Each series tells a self-contained story with its own cast and setting.
Is Time worth watching?
Absolutely. Time is one of the most emotionally powerful British dramas in recent memory. Both series earned outstanding reviews for their raw performances, tight writing, and unflinching portrayal of prison life. If you appreciate character-driven drama with genuine moral weight, this is essential viewing.
More About Time
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