Time (2021 TV series)

Last updated

Time
Time (2021 TV series) poster.jpg
Official poster for Series 1 (2021)
Genre Crime drama
Created by Jimmy McGovern
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Music bySarah Warne
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
  • Lewis Arnold
  • Sean Bean
  • Stephen Graham
  • Jimmy McGovern
  • Michael Parke
  • Lucy Richer
  • Tom Sherry
Producers
  • Simon Maloney
  • Mark Hedges
CinematographyMark Wolf
EditorSacha Szwarc
Running time56–67 minutes
Production companies BBC Studios Drama Productions
BritBox [1]
Original release
Network BBC One
Release6 June 2021 (2021-06-06) 
present

Time is a British anthology drama television series [2] created and co-written by Jimmy McGovern, with Helen Black. Each series presents a new scenario following the lives of inmates and staff in His Majesty's Prison Service. Its first series, starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham, was first broadcast on BBC One on 6 June 2021 and concluded on 20 June 2021. [3] Its second series, starring Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance and Bella Ramsey, was broadcast, also on BBC One, on 29 October 2023 and concluded on 12 November 2023. [4] [5]

Contents

The first series received largely positive reviews, with many praising the performances of the two leads. [6] [7] At the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards, the first series won Best Mini-Series and Bean won Best Actor, whilst Graham was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. The second series received similarly positive reviews. [8]

Plot

Series 1

Mark Cobden is newly imprisoned, consumed by guilt for his crime, and way out of his depth in the volatile world of prison life. He meets Eric McNally, an excellent prison officer doing his best to protect those in his charge. However, when one of the most dangerous inmates identifies his weakness, Eric faces an impossible choice between his principles and his family. [7] [9] [10]

Series 2

Orla, a single mother serving her first sentence, Abi, who is incarcerated for life, and Kelsey, a pregnant heroin addict and repeat offender, begin their sentences at a women's prison. [11]

Cast

Series 1

Main

Supporting

Series 2

Main

Supporting

  • Julie Graham as Lou Harkness
  • Nicholas Nunn as Adam Muller
  • Karen Henthorn as Elizabeth O'Riordan
  • Terri Reddin as Sonographer
  • Kayla Meikle as Donna Mills
  • Faye McKeever as Tanya Helsby
  • Sophie Willan as Maeve Riley
  • Alicia Forde as Sarah Duddy
  • James Corrigan as Rob Cochrane
  • Louise Lee as P.O. Carter
  • Lisa Millett as P.O. Martin
  • Isaac Lancel-Watkinson as Kyle O'Riordan
  • Brody Griffiths as Callum O'Riordan
  • Matilda Firth as Nancy O'Riordan
  • Danielle Henry as Tess Palmer
  • Alexandra Monaghan as Tash
  • Conor McCarry as Steven Harkness
  • Maimuna Memon as Tahani
  • Angela Wynter as May Sinclair
  • Cindy Humphrey as Faith

Production

Most of the filming of the first series took place in the Liverpool City Region, with the prison wings and cells filmed at HM Prison Shrewsbury, a former prison which was decommissioned in 2013. The cameras moved to Liverpool to create the rest of the prison using courtrooms, police stations and educational buildings, as well as exterior locations such as the Silver Jubilee Bridge in Widnes and Southport Pier. [12]

Episodes

SeriesEpisodesOriginally releasedAverage viewership
(in millions)
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
1 36 June 2021 (2021-06-06)20 June 2021 (2021-06-20) BBC One 6.09
2 329 October 2023 (2023-10-29)12 November 2023 (2023-11-12)3.89

Series 1 (2021)

No.Directed byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
1 Lewis Arnold Jimmy McGovern 6 June 2021 (2021-06-06)8.04 [13]
Mark Cobden is sent to prison and has to learn quickly how to survive. When an inmate identifies prison officer Eric McNally's weakness, he faces an impossible choice.
2Lewis ArnoldJimmy McGovern13 June 2021 (2021-06-13)5.18
Mark is being bullied by fellow inmate Johnno and must decide whether to tell the prison officers or risk the attacks becoming more violent. After Eric's son is attacked, he must decide if he will comply with the demands of a prisoner and risk his job.
3Lewis ArnoldJimmy McGovern20 June 2021 (2021-06-20)5.06 [14]
After Mark suffers a personal loss he is given the chance to leave prison for a day while Eric is forced to take greater risks to protect his son from further harm.

Series 2 (2023)

No.Directed byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
1Andrea Harkin Jimmy McGovern & Helen Black 29 October 2023 (2023-10-29)4.14
Single mother Orla, heroin addict Kelsey and lifer Abi are sent to prison. While Orla loses control of her old life, Kelsey makes a personal discovery and Abi attempts to hide a terrible secret.
2Andrea HarkinJimmy McGovern & Helen Black5 November 2023 (2023-11-05)3.71
Several months after she's released, Orla is sent back to prison and her children remain care. While Abi confides in Marie-Louise about her past, Kelsey thinks about the future of her unborn child.
3Andrea HarkinJimmy McGovern & Helen Black12 November 2023 (2023-11-12)3.78
Orla faces consequences while trying to reconnect with her children, Abi attempts to overcome her unresolved grief and Kelsey hopes to move on from her old life and plan a future with her child.

Reception

Writing in The Guardian , Lucy Mangan wrote: "The performances of Bean and Graham are, even though we have come to expect brilliance from them both, astonishing. So, too, are those from everyone in smaller roles, none of which is underwritten or sketchy, and who thicken the drama into something more profoundly moving and enraging at every turn". [6] Billie Schwab Dunn, writing for Metro , praised the show, which was "elevated by the central performances – particularly Bean, who gently grounds us and provides a beam of light in all that darkness". [7] [8]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2022 BAFTA TV Awards Best Mini-SeriesTimeWon
Best ActorSean BeanWon
Best Supporting ActorStephen GrahamNominated
Director:FictionLewis ArnoldNominated
Photography & Lighting:FictionMark WolfNominated
Scripted CastingBeverley Keogh, David MarinNominated
2024 BAFTA TV Awards Editing:FictionAlex MackieNominated
Scripted CastingAmy HubbardNominated
RTS Awards Leading Actor:FemaleTamara LawranceWon
Leading Actor:FemaleJodie WhittakerNominated
Supporting Actor:FemaleBella RamseyWon

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Bean</span> English actor (born 1959)

Sean Bean is an English actor. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he made his professional debut in a production of Romeo and Juliet in 1983 at The Watermill Theatre. Retaining his Yorkshire accent, he first found mainstream success for his portrayal of Richard Sharpe in the ITV series Sharpe, which originally ran from 1993 to 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Chibnall</span> English television writer (born 1970)

Christopher Antony Chibnall is an English television writer and producer, best known as the creator and writer of the award-winning ITV mystery-crime drama Broadchurch (2013-17) and as the third showrunner of the 2005 revival of the BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who (2018–22). Chibnall wrote five episodes of the series under previous showrunners Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat, and he was also the head writer for the first two series of the spinoff Torchwood (2006-08).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Graham</span> British actor (born 1973)

Stephen Joseph Graham is a British actor. He began his career in 1990, with early notable roles including Tommy in Snatch (2000) and Shang in Gangs of New York (2002), before his breakthrough role as Andrew "Combo" Gascoigne in the film This Is England (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack McMullen</span> English actor

Jack Michael McMullen is an English actor and writer, best known for his roles in Waterloo Road, Little Boy Blue, Brookside and Grange Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jodie Whittaker</span> English actress (born 1982)

Jodie Auckland Whittaker is an English actress. Her roles on television include the Thirteenth Doctor in Doctor Who (2017–2022) and Beth Latimer in Broadchurch (2013–2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siobhan Finneran</span> English actress (born 1966)

Siobhan Margaret Finneran is an English actress. She made her screen debut in the 1987 independent film Rita, Sue and Bob Too, and subsequently worked consistently in television drama including roles in Coronation Street (1989–1990), Clocking Off (2000–2002) and The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (2006). In 2005, Finneran originated the lead female role in the stage play On the Shore of the Wide World and was awarded the Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Also a comedy performer, Finneran appeared as Janice Garvey, a leading character in the first seven series of ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2015).

<i>Accused</i> (2010 TV series) British TV drama series

Accused is a British television anthology series created by Jimmy McGovern. The drama series first aired on 15 November 2010 on BBC One and has run for two series. Each episode follows a different character as they await their verdict in court, and tells the story behind how they find themselves accused. The series has featured actors and actresses such as Christopher Eccleston, Benjamin Smith, Juliet Stevenson, Andy Serkis, Marc Warren, Naomie Harris, Sean Bean and Anne-Marie Duff as the accused in each episode.

<i>Happy Valley</i> (TV series) British crime drama television series

Happy Valley is a British crime drama television series, set and filmed in the Calder Valley, West Yorkshire. Starring Sarah Lancashire, James Norton and Siobhan Finneran, it was written and created by Sally Wainwright and directed by Wainwright, Euros Lyn and Tim Fywell. The first series began on BBC One on 29 April 2014, the second on 9 February 2016, and the third and final series on 1 January 2023. It won the 2015 BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series, and won another BAFTA for Best Drama for the second series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bella Ramsey</span> British actor (born 2003)

Isabella May Ramsey is an English actor. They are known for their break-out role as young noblewoman Lyanna Mormont in the HBO fantasy television series Game of Thrones (2016–2019) and Ellie in the HBO post-apocalyptic drama series The Last of Us (2023–present). They received nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the latter.

Lewis Arnold is an English director working in television. He is best known for the shows Time, Sherwood and Des.

<i>Doctor Who</i> series 11 2018 series of Doctor Who

The eleventh series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who premiered on 7 October 2018 and concluded on 9 December 2018. The series is the first to be led by Chris Chibnall as head writer and executive producer, alongside executive producers Matt Strevens and Sam Hoyle, after Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin stepped down after the tenth series. This series is the eleventh to air following the programme's revival in 2005 and is the thirty-seventh season overall. It also marks the beginning of the third production era of the revived series, following Russell T Davies' original run from 2005 to 2010, and Moffat's from 2010 to 2017. The eleventh series was broadcast on Sundays, a first in the programme's history; regular episodes of the revived era were previously broadcast on Saturdays. The series was followed by a New Year's Day special episode, "Resolution", instead of the traditional annual Christmas Day special.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirteenth Doctor</span> Fictional character from Doctor Who

The Thirteenth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who. She is played by Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to portray the character, in three series as well as five specials.

"The Woman Who Fell to Earth" is the first episode of the eleventh series and the 845th episode overall of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. It was written by new head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall, directed by Jamie Childs, and was first broadcast on BBC One on 7 October 2018. It stars Jodie Whittaker in her first full appearance as the Thirteenth Doctor, and introduces the Doctor's new companions – Bradley Walsh as Graham O'Brien, Tosin Cole as Ryan Sinclair, and Mandip Gill as Yasmin Khan. The episode also guest stars Sharon D. Clarke, Johnny Dixon, and Samuel Oatley.

"Orphan 55" is the third episode of the twelfth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, first broadcast on BBC One on 12 January 2020. It was written by Ed Hime, and directed by Lee Haven Jones.

<i>Doctor Who</i> series 13 2021 series of Doctor Who

The thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, known collectively as Flux, was broadcast from 31 October to 5 December 2021. The series is the third and last to be led by Chris Chibnall as head writer and executive producer. It is the thirteenth to air following the programme's revival in 2005, and the thirty-ninth season overall. The series, initially announced in November 2019, was the last to be broadcast on Sunday nights, continuing the trend set by the previous two series. It was followed by three associated specials, all of which aired in 2022.

<i>Doctor Who</i> specials (2022) 2022 special episodes of Doctor Who

The 2022 specials of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who are three additional episodes that follow the programme's thirteenth series. The first special aired on BBC One on 1 January, followed by the second on 17 April, and the final on 23 October. They are the final episodes to be overseen by Chris Chibnall as showrunner.

"Village of the Angels", prefixed frequently with either "Chapter Four" or "Flux", is the fourth episode of the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, and of the six-episode serial known collectively as Doctor Who: Flux. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 21 November 2021. It was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall and Maxine Alderton, and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone.

Hannah Walters is an English actress and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Power of the Doctor</span> 2022 Doctor Who episode

"The Power of the Doctor" is the third and final story of three special episodes that follow the thirteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. The episode was written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 23 October 2022. The special was commissioned to air during the British Broadcasting Corporation's centenary celebrations.

References

  1. Goldbart, Max (13 June 2023). "'Time': Bella Ramsey Prison Drama Boarded By BritBox North America For Season 2, Reveals More Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  2. "BBC Series 'Time' Season 2: Anthology Cast | Telly Visions". tellyvisions.org. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  3. Vassell, Nicole (4 June 2021). "Time release date: Cast, plot and trailer for new BBC One series". Radio Times. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  4. "Four of the BBC's biggest dramas The Tourist, The Responder, Vigil and Time to return for a second series on BBC One and BBC iPlayer". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  5. "Time: Jodie Whittaker set to star in second series". TV Zone. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  6. 1 2 Mangan, Lucy (6 June 2021). "Time review – Sean Bean and Stephen Graham astound in enraging prison drama". The Guardian . Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 Schwab Dunn, Billie (6 June 2021). "Time review: Sean Bean's prison drama is a hard watch – but worth every minute". Metro. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Time series two review – Jodie Whittaker shines a light on the idiocy of our legal system". The Guardian.
  9. Chilton, Louis (4 June 2021). "Time: Cast of BBC prison drama endured Covid scares and real prison experiences". The Independent . Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  10. Lally, Kate (6 June 2021). "BBC's Time viewers are all hoping for one thing from tonight's show". Liverpool Echo . Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  11. Hilton, Nick (29 October 2023). "Time season 2 review: Bella Ramsey steals the show as a hard-bitten addict". The Independent. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  12. Carr, Flora (4 June 2021). "Where is Time filmed? All the locations in the BBC drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  13. "7-DAY RATINGS: 31 MAY-06 JUNE 2021". tvzoneuk. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  14. "7-DAY RATINGS: 14-20 JUNE 2021". tvzoneuk. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.