BBC crime drama Time could be coming to an end after its upcoming third series, with creator Jimmy McGovern admitting that the new season is likely to be the show's last. The anthology series has proved a success for the BBC since it first aired in 2021, with each series telling a new story set within the prison system. The third season will see David Tennant join the cast alongside returning star Siobhan Finneran.
Creator's comments on the show's future
However, despite the addition of Tennant to the cast, Jimmy suggested that viewers may not see a fourth series of the acclaimed drama. Speaking to Radio Times, the creator said: "I think this will be the last Time."
Jimmy acknowledged that he previously made similar comments about the future of the drama, adding: "I have said that many a time before, though, because these are also stories I feel bound to tell."
His comments leave the door open to a possible return, but suggest that the third series could bring the hit series to an end.
Cast and plot of season three
The new episodes will see Tennant and Daniel Ryan play custodial managers Bobby Bailey and Freddie Jennings at a young offenders institution. Meanwhile, Siobhan will reprise her role as prison chaplain Marie-Louise, who was introduced in the second series.
The third series will centre on a tragedy inside the prison, with Marie-Louise clashing with Bailey as he deals with a personal crisis and is aware of the events that led to the incident. The story will also focus on two teenage young offenders, Peter and James, as they struggle through the terrifying first weeks and months of their incarceration.
Tennant on the prison system
Tennant has previously spoken about the questions the series raises regarding the prison system and its impact on those behind bars. "It's a necessary part of a civilised society, I suppose, but what does that do to the human beings that are incarcerated?" he said. "I'm not saying they don't deserve to be there, but it's an extraordinary thing that we do to each other."
The possibility of Time ending comes despite the third series bringing another high-profile name to the drama in Tennant, following a cast that has included some of the UK's biggest acting talent. The first series aired in 2021 and starred Sean Bean and Stephen Graham, while the second series arrived in 2023 with Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance and Bella Ramsey.
Broadcast details
With Jimmy now suggesting that series three could be the final edition, the upcoming episodes could mark the end of one of the BBC's most acclaimed prison dramas. Time series three will launch on BBC iPlayer at 6am on Sunday, October 11, with the first episode also airing on BBC One at 9pm. Episode two will follow on Monday, October 12, with episode three airing on Sunday, October 18.
