Your ultimate guide to series three of BBC prison drama Time

Following the success of the first two series, which featured the likes of Stephen Graham, Sean Bean, Bella Ramsey and Jodie Whittaker, the BBC have renewed Jimmy McGovern’s BAFTA-winning hit drama Time and it's due to start very soon.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Scottish actor David Tennant (Rivals) would lead the new cast, and that Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley) will reprise her role as the prison chaplain, the BBC then shared the first look photos from the third series. Now as the highly-anticipated series is due to begin, they have now shared the start date and a trailer.

What will series three be about?

The BBC say of series three: 'Set within a Young Offenders Institution, the series will explore the impact of locking up teenagers and the effects on those who look after them.

'Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise comes to the YOI having lost her faith. 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. Can James ever face his broken parents after an unforgivable act of violence and will Peter tell the truth about the death of an innocent man, or does family loyalty mean more? An unlikely friendship between them looks to shift the trajectory of their futures, but in an increasingly unstable environment, is change ever possible?'

Is there a trailer?

Yes, the trailer was released on Thursday 1st October 2026.

When is it out?

On 1st October the BBC revealed the series will start on Sunday 11th October, at 9pm on BBC One. This will be followed by the second episode just a day later on 12th October. The third will air on Sunday 18th October. It will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Check out the first look photos below:

Who is in the cast?

Siobhan Finneran reprises her role as Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise, with David Tennant joining the cast as veteran Prison Officer Bailey.

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.”

Andrew Morrissey, Executive Producer for BBC Studios Fiction added: “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.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, also said: “Jimmy McGovern is a master at creating brave, thought-provoking dramas that deeply resonate with BBC viewers, so we are thrilled to be back for a third run of Time. With David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran leading the cast, Samuel Bailey co-writing, Paul Whittington directing and the team at BBC Studios Fiction producing, we are all set for another powerful and memorable piece of work from Jimmy.”

On Tuesday 17th March, as filming kicked off, further casting details were announced.

Joining the cast are Vinette Robinson as Erica, Jo Joyner as Nicola, Daniel Ryan as Custodial Manager Jennings, Warren Brown as Albie, and Louis McCartney as James. Ollie McNulty and Chukwubuikem Molokwu will be making their screen debuts as Peter and Christopher, and Ethaniel Davy will be playing Jayden.

Further cast members include Victor Zhao, Paul Smith Junior, Finn Kearns and Jack Barnes, who also make their screen debuts as Jietang, Toby, Mark and Chaz respectively.

Speaking about the cast, series creator and writer Jimmy McGovern says: “What a wonderful cast. I am utterly delighted!”

Co-writer Samuel Bailey added: “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 & 2. 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."

READ MORE: The best TV crime dramas to binge watch right now

What channel is it on?

Just like the first two series, the third will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

How can I watch old series?

Series one and two of Time are available on BBC iPlayer now.

Where is Time filmed?

Filming for Time took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Author: Alex Ross

Alex Ross is a Digital Content Editor across Rayo brands, including the Hits Radio Network, Greatest Hits Radio, KISS, Cool FM and Magic Radio. After beginning her career as a Marketing Intern with Bauer Media in 2016, she transitioned into digital editorial and has spent the past decade creating engaging content for millions of readers. Whether it’s reality shows, sitcoms, gritty crime dramas or hard-hitting documentaries, Alex is an expert in all things TV, as well as knowing the ins and outs of celebrities.

Additional content by: Anna Sky Magliola