Brief
Jimmy McGovern’s ‘Time’ returns with stark youth prison drama starring David Tennant
The new series shifts to a youth offending institution, highlighting prison overcrowding and the crisis among young men.
By Felo News Desk · Published
BBC One launches the third series of Jimmy McGovern’s prison drama Time on Sunday at 9 pm, moving the setting to a youth offending institution for boys.
What happened
The opening scene shows a teenage inmate being dragged to his cell by five adult guards, establishing a tone of institutional brutality. David Tennant appears as veteran prison officer Bobby Bailey, while Siobhan Finneran returns as prison chaplain Marie‑Louise, the only character linking all three series.
What the reports add
The Guardian notes that the series arrives amid headlines about prison overcrowding and a multifaceted crisis among young men, making the new setting especially urgent. It also points out that McGovern, known for social‑realist works such as Cracker and The Lakes, co‑writes the third instalment with Samuel Bailey.
What was said
The review describes Tennant’s performance as “impressively blank slate” and highlights the three young actors – Ollie McNulty as Peter, Louis McCartney as James and an unnamed actor as Christopher – as potential future stars.
How it came about
McGovern’s earlier series explored the devastation of adult men’s and women’s prisons; the shift to a youth facility reflects growing public concern over the treatment of young offenders. The Guardian frames the series as a response to contemporary debates on prison reform.
Key facts
- Series three of ‘Time’ premieres on BBC One Sunday at 9 pm. (theguardian.com)
- The new series is set in a youth offending institution for boys. (theguardian.com)
- David Tennant plays prison officer Bobby Bailey; Siobhan Finneran returns as chaplain Marie‑Louise. (theguardian.com)
- Jimmy McGovern co‑writes the third series with Samuel Bailey. (theguardian.com)
- The drama addresses prison overcrowding and the crisis among young men. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Time: David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran are stellar in this horrifying and exceptional TV drama”
