The third series of the BAFTA-winning BBC drama Time airs tonight, but creator Jimmy McGovern has confirmed it will be the final instalment. The new series, which begins on Sunday, October 11 on BBC One at 9pm, stars David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran.
A new focus on young offenders
The series, which first began in 2021 and has featured actors including Stephen Graham, Jodie Whittaker and Bella Ramsey, shifts its focus this time to a young offender institution. McGovern explained that after the first series centred on a male prison and the second on a female prison, he wanted to explore young offenders next but initially lacked a story.
His inspiration came from research into a real-life case of a mother visiting her son in a young offender institution after years apart. Although she did not speak English and he did not speak her language, which McGovern shared is Swahili, their story became the basis for the new series.
Creator's decision to end the show
Speaking to RadioTimes, McGovern said: "There's very little altruism involved with these stories. I do them because I love doing them, although I think this will be the last time. I have said that many a time before, though, because these are also stories I feel bound to tell."
The synopsis for the third series reveals that viewers will see two young offenders struggle through the terrifying first weeks and months of their incarceration, with an unlikely friendship between them looking to shift the trajectory of their futures.
Cast and critical acclaim
The description continues: "Meanwhile, Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise (Siobhan Finneran) comes to the young offender institution having lost her faith. When tragedy strikes in the prison, Marie-Louise clashes with veteran officer Bailey (David Tennant), a man in the midst of his own crisis. Bailey knows more about the circumstances that led to this major incident – but will he come clean before the guilt gets too much?"
Since its debut five years ago, the series has drawn high praise from viewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, one person said: "Absolutely riveting drama, a must-watch from start to finish. Brilliantly acted and excellent plot." On IMDb, another added: "I expected a mediocre show, but got a well-crafted masterpiece. In its two seasons, each with three episodes, 'Time' tells the stories of two people who are imprisoned for the first time and, in my opinion, it does this excellently." A third wrote: "Serious, realistic and brutal. If you want to see something serious and realistic, this is for you."
Joining Tennant and Finneran in the third series are Vinette Robinson, Jo Joyner, Daniel Ryan, Warren Brown, Louis McCartney, Ollie McNulty and Chukwubuikem Molokwu. The series airs on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday, October 11.
