In the gritty, emotionally charged world of British crime drama, few series have struck a chord as powerfully as the BBC’s Time, a prison anthology that has been hailed as a “high point in British drama” and a “devastating” masterpiece. First premiering on BBC One in June 2021, this critically acclaimed series, created by BAFTA-winning writer Jimmy McGovern, is now streaming on BBC iPlayer, drawing renewed attention with its staggering 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and a cast led by acting titans Stephen Graham and Sean Bean. With just six hour-long episodes across two seasons, Time is a binge-worthy exploration of guilt, redemption, and the brutal realities of the British prison system, delivering a narrative that is as heart-wrenching as it is unflinching. Here’s why Time is the must-watch drama captivating audiences in 2025.
A Raw and Relentless Prison Drama
Time plunges viewers into the volatile world of HMP Craigmore, a fictional British prison where survival demands impossible choices. The first season, which aired in 2021, follows two central characters: Mark Cobden (Sean Bean), a former schoolteacher imprisoned for accidentally killing a cyclist while driving drunk, and Eric McNally (Stephen Graham), a principled prison officer facing a moral dilemma when an inmate blackmails him by threatening his son. Written by Jimmy McGovern, known for Cracker and The Street, the series is a masterclass in storytelling, weaving together themes of guilt, punishment, and redemption with a stark, documentary-style realism that refuses to pull punches.
The first season’s three episodes are a harrowing descent into the prison’s brutal hierarchy, where Mark, a soft-spoken everyman, must navigate bullying from dangerous inmates like Johnno (James Nelson-Joyce) while grappling with crushing guilt. Meanwhile, Eric’s struggle to protect his family forces him to confront the limits of his integrity, creating a parallel narrative that underscores the human cost of incarceration for both prisoners and staff. The Guardian praises the performances of Bean and Graham as “astonishing,” noting that “none of the smaller roles are underwritten or sketchy, thickening the drama into something profoundly moving and enraging.”
The second season, released in 2023, shifts to a new story within the anthology format, focusing on three female inmates at Carlingford Prison: Kelsey Morgan (Bella Ramsey), a pregnant heroin addict; Abi Cochrane (Tamara Lawrance), serving a life sentence for murder; and Orla O’Connell (Jodie Whittaker), a single mother imprisoned for a minor offense. While maintaining the same gritty intensity, the second season explores the unique challenges of women in the prison system, earning a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score and praise for its “transfixing” performances, particularly Ramsey’s.
Stephen Graham and Sean Bean: A Powerhouse Duo
The beating heart of Time’s first season is the extraordinary chemistry between Stephen Graham and Sean Bean, two of Britain’s most revered actors. Graham, known for his raw intensity in This Is England, Line of Duty, and Boiling Point, delivers a career-defining performance as Eric McNally, a prison guard whose stoic exterior masks a man torn between duty and family. His scenes, particularly those depicting his anguished decisions, are described by Metro as “heartbreaking,” with Graham’s ability to convey quiet devastation earning widespread acclaim.
Sean Bean, a veteran of The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, brings a gentle vulnerability to Mark Cobden, a man out of his depth in the prison’s brutal environment. Critics have lauded Bean’s performance as a “beam of light in all that darkness,” with his portrayal earning him the Best Actor BAFTA at the 2022 TV Awards. Rotten Tomatoes notes that “Bean’s and Graham’s performances are brilliantly contained and captivating,” supported by a strong ensemble including Siobhan Finneran, Aneurin Barnard, and Hannah Walters. Fans on X have echoed this praise, with one user (@TheNickHelm) calling Bean’s performance “an absolute bloody revelation” and Graham’s “always great.”
The second season’s cast is equally impressive, with Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us), Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who), and Tamara Lawrance (The Silent Twins) delivering raw, nuanced performances. The Times singled out Ramsey’s portrayal of Kelsey as “transfixing, screaming and huffing through the first episode like a scab-infested skunk,” highlighting her ability to shift from rage to vulnerability. The anthology format allows Time to showcase a range of talent, with each season standing alone yet maintaining the same emotional and thematic intensity.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Glory
Since its debut, Time has been showered with accolades, cementing its status as a high-water mark in British television. The first season earned a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 23 reviews, with the overall series holding a 96% score. Critics have praised its “relentless, unnerving, and urgent storytelling,” with Rotten Tomatoes calling it “an incredible, thought-provoking watch” driven by strong writing and Bean’s magnificent performance. Film critic Anne Brodie described it as “realistic, watchable, and well-made,” emphasizing its humane and teachable qualities despite its darkness. Wenlei Ma of News.com.au hailed the first season as “truly a high point in British drama,” with the second season “worthy of the same consideration.”
The series clinched Best Mini-Series at the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards, beating out It’s a Sin and Landscapers, while Bean won Best Actor and Graham was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. The second season continued the awards streak, scooping Best Mini-Series and Best Drama Mini-Series at the 2024 Broadcasting Press Guild Awards. Viewer reviews on Rotten Tomatoes reflect this enthusiasm, with one fan noting, “I was absolutely amazed at the acting in this show. The script goes deep. I have yet to find a TV show that touches on what matters in life in a more truthful and raw way.” Another called it “a gritty and real portrayal of humans at their best, worst, and the interplay between the two.”
A Realistic Portrayal of Prison Life
What sets Time apart from other prison dramas like Oz or Prison Break is its unflinching realism, achieved through Jimmy McGovern’s meticulous writing and Lewis Arnold’s documentary-style direction. Filmed in the decommissioned Shrewsbury Prison in Shropshire, UK, the series captures the claustrophobic, volatile atmosphere of incarceration. McGovern, a master of socially conscious storytelling, infuses the series with his Catholic sensibilities about guilt and redemption, while also addressing systemic issues like class conflict and the inequities of the justice system.
The first episode’s visceral violence, including a brutal scene involving boiling sugar water, has been noted as a barrier for some viewers, but those who persevere are rewarded with a deeply human story. As one IMDb reviewer noted, “The story has a harsh, but truthful reality. I found myself googling certain things, such as if prisoners actually have kettles in their cells, and the effects of sugar in boiling water, so many things were proven to be accurate.” This commitment to authenticity, combined with McGovern’s ability to humanize both inmates and staff, makes Time a powerful indictment of the prison system’s toll on everyone involved.
A Binge-Worthy Gem with Lasting Impact
At just three episodes per season, Time is tailor-made for binge-watching, with its compact format delivering maximum emotional impact. The series’ availability on BBC iPlayer has sparked a resurgence of interest in 2025, with outlets like LADbible, The Mirror, and Daily Mail urging viewers to catch it while it’s streaming. Express.co.uk calls it a “must-see” for fans of Cracker and Graham’s work in This Is England, noting its under-the-radar status despite its critical acclaim. On X, the BBC’s official account teased the series as “an emotional and thrilling portrayal of life in a British prison,” while fans have called it “devastating” and “incredible.”
The second season, while slightly less commercially successful, has been equally lauded, with critics noting that it “gets stronger and more moving with every episode.” However, the BBC has yet to confirm a third season, leaving fans hopeful but uncertain about the series’ future. Despite this, Time’s two seasons stand as a complete, self-contained triumph, with each episode offering a gut-punch of emotion and insight.
Why Time Is a Must-Watch
Time is more than just a prison drama—it’s a profound exploration of human resilience, morality, and the consequences of our choices. Stephen Graham and Sean Bean deliver performances that are both restrained and explosive, supported by a stellar ensemble and McGovern’s incisive writing. Its 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, BAFTA wins, and glowing reviews attest to its quality, while its compact format makes it an accessible yet unforgettable binge. As LADbible notes, “For those of us who simply don’t have the time or energy to get our teeth into long epics like The Sopranos, this BBC drama might be the perfect length.”
Available now on BBC iPlayer, Time is a gripping, thought-provoking journey that will leave you moved, enraged, and deeply affected. Whether you’re drawn to the stellar performances, the raw storytelling, or the social commentary, this series is a testament to the power of British drama. Don’t let Time pass you by—it’s a masterpiece that demands to be watched.
