The BBC has confirmed that This City is Ours will replace Time, following the conclusion of the prison drama's third season on Sunday, October 18. The new series is set to air on Sunday, October 25, at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Time Season Three Ends
Time's third season, created by Jimmy McGovern, starred David Tennant as prison officer Bobby Bailey and Siobhan Finneran as chaplain Marie-Louise. The three-part series was set in a Young Offenders Institution, following the first season in 2021 with Stephen Graham and Sean Bean, and a second instalment in 2023 starring Jodie Whittaker and Bella Ramsey.
The season explored the impact of locking up teenage boys and the treatment towards them from prison officers, including the guilt they faced, the abuse towards each other and the struggles in an unsettling environment.
Viewer Reaction
Viewers branded the programme "gut-wrenching" as it came to an end, with one person writing: "It's mixed emotions watching Time. This series with the young offenders has been the hardest watch, because you feel helpless. So many issues that can't be solved over night (or really even at all). It's so sad."
Another called it "harrowing, sad, devastating but brilliant!" while someone else said: "Just finished episode 3 & it was outstandingly brilliant, the gasp moment hits hard the endings are perfect. The BBC at its finest."
One viewer called it "a phenomenal piece of television," adding: "The first episode was heartbreaking, and by the third, I genuinely gasped and had to hit pause to process what I'd just watched. The emotional impact of this series is something else." Someone else added: "If you still believe in quality BBC drama can I recommend #Time which concludes tonight. Harrowing."
This City is Ours Returns
The synopsis for This City is Ours teases: "Picking up from where things were left at the end of series one, Michael and Diana have barely arrived in Spain when they are dragged back into the fold to answer questions around Ricardo's death. Back in Liverpool, tensions continue to bubble amongst the remaining members of the gang. Meanwhile, an old school gangster from Ronnie's era, recently out of prison, wants compensation from the firm."
James Nelson-Joyce returns as Michael Kavanagh alongside Hannah Onslow as Diana Williams. Season two will see new cast members Shaun Evans as former gangster Ozzie Thompson, recently out of prison, and Álvaro Morte as Felipe Guzman, member of the Colombian cartel and younger brother of Ricardo, who was murdered at the end of the first series.
The Liverpudlian drama, which also starred Sean Bean in the first season though his character was killed off, was hailed "absolutely brilliant" by fans when it first aired. One fan said: "Liverpool crime drama is top notch," as another wrote: "Binge watched in one day." Someone else called the "gritty" drama "riveting", as another said: "An absolutely wonderful drama, full of Scouse wit, lurking, danger and glamour set in the backdrop of our beautiful city. The plot is cleverly crafted with some jaw-dropping moments." Another called it "a true masterpiece", as another praised: "Easily one of the best TV shows I've watched for a very long time."
Future of Time
The end of Time season three comes after creator Jimmy McGovern hinted there would be no more seasons. He told Radio Times: "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."
Time is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. This City is Ours airs from 9pm on Sunday, October 25, on BBC One and iPlayer.
