Time series 3: BBC One confirms release schedule of 'masterpiece' drama which will be the last from Jimmy McGovern
2026 is going to be an AMAZING year for drama on BBC One
Time series 3 is coming soon, and the BBC has given us a sneak peek at Siobhan Finneran – the only returning cast member – alongside newcomers David Tennant, Jo Joyner, and Daniel Ryan. We now know the start date, too.
Late last year, it was announced that Jimmy McGovern’s award-winning drama Time would be returning, after the huge success of series 1 and 2.
The first series of the drama starred Sean Bean and Stephen Graham as prisoner and seasoned prison officer. It aired in 2021 and, quite rightly, won multiple awards, including the 2022 BAFTA for Leading Actor and Mini-Series. Critics have called it a “masterpiece”, “exceptional”, and “astonishing”.
Series 2 followed in 2023. This time, it was set in a female prison and starred Jodie Whittaker and Bella Ramsey. Series 3 of the anthology series is coming soon, and here’s everything we know so far.
Time series 3 release schedule: When is the next episode?
Time series 3 will start on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 9pm on BBC One, with the boxset dropping that day. Meanwhile, the second episode will air just one day later at 9pm on Monday, October 12. The series finale will air on Sunday, October 18.
The show comes from multi-award-winning screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, known for his work on Unforgivable, Cracker, and The Street. Shook’s Samuel Bailey acts as co-writer.
Andrew Morrissey, Executive Producer for BBC Studios Fiction, said: “It is a privilege to be making a third series of Time with such a fantastic team. We are excited to introduce the audience to a whole new part of the prison system. Once we started the research, we knew there were stories that demanded to be told.”
What’s the plot?
This time, the anthology drama takes place in a young offenders’ institution (YOI), and will explore the impact of locking up teenagers and the effects on those who look after them.
Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise (Siobhan Finneran) is back as the only recurring character in all three series. She arrives in the YOI having lost her faith.
The BBC tells us: “When tragedy strikes within the prison, Marie-Louise clashes with veteran officer Bailey, a man in the midst of his own crisis. Bailey knows more about the circumstances that led to this major incident – but will he come clean before the guilt gets too much?”
Meanwhile, two teenage young offenders, Peter and James, struggle through the terrifying first weeks and months of their incarceration. James must face his broken parents after an unforgivable act of violence, while Peter must tell the truth about the death of an innocent man…
The pair forge an unlikely friendship which will shape their futures. But, in an increasingly unstable environment, is change ever possible?
How many episodes will it be?
Like the previous two series, Time series 3 will be three episodes of one hour each. Yep, that’s right, the series are never long enough.
The show will air on both BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and BritBox. Robert Schildhouse, President of BritBox, said: “We’re excited to partner with the BBC on this next chapter of the acclaimed series. It features David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran in roles we know will be powerful and unforgettable.
“With Jimmy McGovern and Sam Bailey’s masterful writing and an exceptional cast coming together, this third season will be a must-watch.”
Who’s in the cast of Time series 3?
Time series 3 will star David Tennant as Prison Officer Bailey. The actor barely needs an introduction, but TV fans will know him for Broadchurch, Rivals, Good Omens, The Hack, Staged, and countless other respected performances. Of course, he played The Doctor in Doctor Who (on and off) between
Happy Valley favourite Siobhan Finneran reprises her role as Marie-Louise, a prison chaplain. She is the only character that will have appeared in series 1 to 3 of Time.
Series creator and writer Jimmy McGovern said: “Siobhan Finneran is back! And we’ve got a wonderful leading man in David Tennant. And a brilliant director in Paul Whittington. I think it’s going to be wonderful.”
Vinette Robinson (Boiling Point, The Lazarus Project) is one of the third series’ newest additions, and she’ll play Erica. The ensemble cast also includes:
- Jo Joyner (Little Disasters, Stay Close) as Nicola.
- Daniel Ryan (Such Brave Girls, The Bay) as Custodial Manager Jennings.
- Warren Brown (Ten Pound Poms, The Responder) will play a “small role” as Albie.
- Louis McCartney (Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Hope Street) as James.
- Ethaniel Davy (Chicken Town, Hollyoaks) as Jayden.
Series 3 will feature six debut performances from Ollie McNulty, Chukwubuikem Molokwu, Victor Zhao, Paul Smith Junior, Finn Kearns, and Jack Barnes. They all play young offenders.
“It’s been an absolute honour to work with Jimmy on Time series 3, and with the brilliant cast put together by the team, I think this series will be just as impactful and devastating as Time 1 and 2,” writer Samuel Bailey said.
“I’m particularly excited for audiences to meet the lads playing our young offenders, who are all remarkable actors that I know we’re going to be seeing a lot more of in the future.”
How to watch Time?
Time series 1 and 2 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer and BritBox now.
Series 3 will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in October 2026.
Where is it filmed?
Filming on Time series 3 took place in Belfast last year.
Belfast has been a hotbed of filming activity in recent months, with Trespasses, Blue Lights, and the upcoming series 7 of Line of Duty being filmed there.
Series 1 of Time was filmed in Shrewsbury Prison and across Liverpool. Series 2 was also filmed in and around Liverpool.
Is there a series 4 of Time?
Sadly, series 3 is “likely to be the last” ever Time from writer Jimmy McGovern. Honestly, as good as it is, we’re not sure our guts can take another set of episodes anyway…
Creator Jimmy McGovern has said he’s not planning another series of the anthology. Speaking to Radio Times, he said: “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.”
The first series of Time aired in 2021, with Sean Bean and Stephen Graham in the leading roles. Series two followed in 2023 and starred Jodie Whittaker, and Bella Ramsey.
