Crime dramas are everywhere these days, from by-the-book procedurals to gritty psychological thrillers. But every so often, a series comes along that stands apart—and chances are you haven't heard of one of the best. BritBox's Time first arrived in 2021, offering a raw, unflinching look inside the British prison system. It's not your typical jailhouse drama; it digs deep into the moral and emotional complexities of crime and punishment in ways that linger long after the credits roll.
What Is 'Time' About?
Time is an anthology, with each season set in a different correctional facility. The cast rotates each outing—except for Siobhan Finneran's prison chaplain, Mary Louise O'Dell, who ties the seasons together—and the themes shift as well. Season 1 followed a guilt-ridden first-time inmate (Sean Bean) and a guard (Stephen Graham) who falls into corruption. Season 2 moved to a women's prison, exploring the unique struggles of female inmates through three intertwined stories, featuring Jodie Whittaker, Bella Ramsey, and Tamara Lawrence.
Both seasons are excellent, but the third—and possibly final—installment is the show's crowning achievement. It shifts the focus to a young offenders institution, and the result is devastating in entirely new ways. Perhaps it's the youth of the offenders, but there's an added layer of tragedy here, tied to futures lost as much as crimes committed.
David Tennant Leads a Stellar Cast
David Tennant, known for his time as the Doctor, plays Bobby Bailey, a corrections officer worn down by an unhappy marriage and the moral compromises of his job. Yet he's one of the few who shows genuine compassion for the boys in his care. Tennant's restrained, understated performance captures both his personal misery and professional frustration. Finneran's Mary Louise offers rare moments of kindness, but it's a small candle in a storm of systemic issues.
The show doesn't shy away from the ugliness. These aren't innocent kids—they've committed serious violence. James (Louis McCartney) murdered his disabled brother. Peter (Olly McNulty) was part of a group that left a man for dead. There's gang violence, arson, and robbery, and the show doesn't soften the costs to win sympathy. Instead, it focuses on how the system fails everyone—both the under-resourced staff and the inmates themselves.
A Kindred Spirit to 'Adolescence'
Though not narratively connected, Time Season 3 feels like a spiritual sibling to Netflix's Adolescence—and it deserves the same level of attention. Creator Jimmy McGovern and co-writer Sam Bailey walk a fine line between accountability and redemption. The scripts tackle toxic masculinity and the ugliness of violence with empathy, without excusing the choices that landed these boys in prison.
The young cast is phenomenal. Chukwubuikem Okonkwo brings depth to Christopher, a boy with a stutter longing to meet his birth mother. Ethaniel Davy finds compassion for Jayden, who self-harms over guilt. McNulty's Peter is a new father haunted by his past, pressured into violent acts of loyalty. These performances are awards-worthy.
At its heart, Time asks what our prison systems cost us—not just in justice, but in our shared humanity. These boys may be past saving, but the show suggests we should still strive to do better. It's a haunting, essential watch.
If you're a fan of crime dramas with standout casts, or you're looking for hidden gems in the genre, Time is a must-stream. And for those who appreciate great anthology series, this one belongs on your list.
