The BBC crime drama has been hailed as a ‘masterpiece’ and ‘absolute triumph’ by fans and critics alike, with one viewer calling it “the most truthful and raw TV show” they have ever seen
The British crime drama has a near-perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes(Image: BBC)
While Line of Duty may be regarded as the gold standard of outstanding British crime dramas, there’s one series that is being celebrated as ‘the very best television has to offer’.
The compelling crime drama has been labelled a ‘masterpiece’ by critics and audiences alike, with viewers bestowing upon it the title of ‘the finest TV show ever produced’.
Time is an anthology crime drama series created by Jimmy McGovern (Cracker, Hillsborough) and co-written by McGovern and Helen Black.
The show comprises two seasons, unconnected with one another, each containing three hour-long episodes.
The cast can aptly be described as British acting royalty, with series one starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham in lead roles, and series two featuring Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance, Bella Ramsey and Siobhan Finneran.
It’s setting the new benchmark for British crime dramas(Image: BBC/Matt Squire)
Both series are linked by their overarching theme, which explores the lives of inmates and staff within the British prison system – His Majesty’s Prison Service (HMPS), reports Wales Online.
Series one was first broadcast on BBC One on June 6, 2021, while season two hit British screens on October 29, 2023. Much to the delight of fans of the anthology series, a third season was announced in November 2025, which will see Finneran reprise her role as Marie-Louise O’Dell, alongside Scottish A-lister David Tennant.
Time gained huge critical acclaim, with the first series being nominated for, and ultimately winning, Best Mini-Series at the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards.
Sean Bean also claimed the Best Actor accolade for his portrayal in the show, while Graham received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
The series delves into life within the British prison system, with much of the first series’ filming taking place across the Liverpool City Region.
The first series stars Sean Bean and Stephen Graham in the lead(Image: BBC)
HM Prison Shrewsbury, a former prison that was decommissioned in 2013, served as the on-location setting for the prison wings and cells.
Boasting a near-perfect 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Time proved to be a resounding success across the board.
While one critic described it as “absolutely breathtaking”, another said of the show, “Under Arnold’s documentary-style direction, intensely realistic, Time is relentless, unnerving and urgent storytelling, TV drama that matters.”
Another critic heaped praise upon Sean Bean and Stephen Graham’s performances: “The performances of Bean and Graham are, even though we have come to expect brilliance from them both, astonishing.”
The admiration for the acting was echoed by a further reviewer: “Bean’s and Graham’s performances are as brilliantly contained and captivating as you’d expect, and there’s great casting across the board as a small host of supporting players flesh out the milieu and the issues McGovern wants to get to.”
Audiences were left equally captivated, with one saying: “Probably the greatest short series ever made. The performances of Sean Bean and Stephen Graham’s lives.”
While one audience review added: “Absolutely riveting drama,must watch from start to finish Brilliantly acted and excellent plot.”
Another admirer of the British crime drama said: “I was absolutely amazed at the acting in this show. The script goes deep. I have yet to find a tv show that touches on what matters in life in a more truthful and raw way than this. Bravo to Sean Bean, absolutely amazing!”
While another added: “Exceptional performances all round, particularly from Sean Bean and Stephen Graham. Once again the BBC have produced a top notch-drama.”
A IMDB user review reads: “Gut wrenching. Often difficult to watch, but nonetheless an absolute triumph that demonstrates the very best of British drama. Sean Bean and Stephen Graham demonstrate why they are two of the most respected names in the industry today with absolutely stellar performances and never let up for a second.
“A character study done to a perfection, with every theme, nuance and character nailed to a T. I cannot recommend this enough.”
While another fan said: “Compelling drama. TV drama doesn’t get any better than this. Gritty yet tastefully written with powerhouse performances from the two leads.”
Time is streaming on BBC iPlayer now.