Time (2021 TV series)

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. 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. ==Cast and characters==

Series 1 Main • Sean Bean as Mark Cobden, a prisoner and former teacher • Stephen Graham as Eric McNally, a prison officer and Mark's supervising officer Supporting • James Nelson-Joyce as Johnno • Siobhan Finneran as Marie-Louise O'Dell, the prison chaplain • Nabil Elouahabi as Patterson • Natalie Gavin as Jardine, a prison officer • Hannah Walters as Sonia McNally, Eric's wife • Nadine Marshall as Alicia Cobden, Mark's wife • Jack McMullen as Daniel, Mark's cellmate • Sue Johnston as June Cobden, Mark's mother • David Calder as John Cobden, Mark's father • Bobby Schofield as Baz • Jonathan Harden as Brendan Murphy • Kadiff Kirwan as Pete • Aneurin Barnard as Bernard • Cal MacAninch as Galbraith • Brian McCardie as Jackson Jones, a prisoner • Michael Socha as Kenny Meadows, a drug dealer • Jason Done as PO Banks Series 2 Main • Jodie Whittaker as Orla O'Riordan • Tamara Lawrance as Abi Cochrane • Bella Ramsey as Kelsey Morgan • Siobhan Finneran as Marie-Louise O'Dell Supporting • Julie Graham as Lou Harkness • Karen Henthorn as Elizabeth O'Riordan • Faye McKeever as Tanya Helsby • Sophie Willan as Maeve Riley • Matilda Firth as Nancy O'Riordan • Danielle Henry as Tess Palmer • Maimuna Memon as Tahani • Angela Wynter as May Sinclair ==Episodes==

Series 1 (2021) Series 2 (2023) ==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. ==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". 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". Camilla Long of The Times says Bella Ramsey's performance was "transfixing, screaming and huffing through the first episode like a scab-infested skunk, going from spitting rage to wide-eyed giggles in a glimmer." For series one, review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating based on 23 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Time heavy load can be challenging, but strong writing and a magnificent performance from Sean Bean make for an incredible, thought-provoking watch." For series two, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 93% approval rating based on 15 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Time second season can be grinding and grueling, but its exemplary ensemble ensures that it is never less than riveting." On Metacritic, series one scored 82 out of 100, based on 7 critics, indicating "universal acclaim", and series two scored 80 out of 100, based on 9 critics, indicating "generally favorable". ==Awards and nominations==