The BBC has confirmed that crime drama This City Is Ours will take over the Sunday night slot vacated by Time, which concluded on October 18. The second series of the Liverpool-set show airs from 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer on October 25.
Time, created by Jimmy McGovern, starred David Tennant as prison officer Bobby Bailey and Siobhan Finneran as chaplain Marie-Louise. The three-episode run, set in a Young Offenders Institution, is thought to be the show's concluding season after the creator hinted it would not return.
Final Season of Time
The third season followed Time's 2021 debut with Stephen Graham and Sean Bean, and a second series in 2023 featuring Jodie Whittaker and Bella Ramsey. The latest instalment examined the consequences of incarcerating teenage boys and their treatment by prison staff, depicting remorse, violence between inmates and challenges within a disturbing setting.
The BBC had teased the plot: "Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise comes to the YOI having lost her faith. When tragedy strikes in the prison, Marie-Louise clashes with veteran officer Bailey, a man in the midst of his own crisis." The synopsis also detailed teenage offenders Peter and James struggling through their first weeks of incarceration, with an unlikely friendship between them that "looks to shift the trajectory of their futures".
Viewer Reaction to Time
Audiences described the programme as "gut-wrenching" upon its conclusion. One viewer commented: "It's mixed emotions watching Time. This series with the young offenders has been the hardest watch, because you feel helpless." Another labelled it "harrowing, sad, devastating but brilliant!", while a third said: "Just finished episode 3 and 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." Another recommended the series, writing: "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 series two reads: "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." It adds: "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 reprises his role as Michael Kavanagh, alongside Hannah Onslow as Diana Williams. New cast members include Shaun Evans as former gangster Ozzie Thompson and Álvaro Morte as Felipe Guzman, a Colombian cartel member and younger brother of Ricardo, who was murdered at the end of series one.
The Liverpudlian drama, which featured Sean Bean in its opening series before his character was killed off, was hailed "absolutely brilliant" by fans when it first aired. One viewer remarked: "Liverpool crime drama is top notch," while another called it "a true masterpiece". A different fan enthused: "Easily one of the best TV shows I've watched for a very long time."
Time is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. This City Is Ours airs from 9pm on Sunday, October 25, on BBC One and iPlayer.
