Time

Time places you inside the tense, confined world of a prison and the people it touches, focusing on how guilt and violence ripple through lives. The story tracks Kelsey Morgan, Marie-Louise O'Dell, Orla O'Riordan and others as they cope with an incident that forces difficult, often painful decisions. Rather than tidy answers, the show lingers on moral ambiguity, the strain on relationships and the small, intense moments that decide who keeps going. Scenes alternate between the wings and the homes outside, so you see both the institutional pressures and the personal costs without relying on big plot twists.

Created by Jimmy McGovern, Time premiered in 2021 as a tightly written drama series, assembled with a notable British cast including Bella Ramsey, Siobhan Finneran and Jodie Whittaker.

The series attracted awards attention in the UK, picking up nominations and recognition for writing and acting at several television award events, with particular notice given to the ensemble performances and the script's emotional weight.

Time prompted conversations about prison life, accountability and the ripple effects of violence. Its stark, realistic scenes have been referenced in debates about reform and mental health in custody, and the show's tone and casting choices helped it become a touchpoint for viewers interested in social justice on television.

Critics and audiences generally responded well, reflected in a user vote average around 7.6 out of 10 from viewers. Reviews highlighted the strong performances, the ethical complexity at the story's center and the show's willingness to focus on character over spectacle. Major themes include guilt, institutional failure, loyalty and the small moral compromises people make to survive, and the series keeps those themes front and center across its episodes.