BBC Viewers Hail Prison Drama Time As The 'Best They've Seen In A While'

On Sunday evening, the first part of new drama Time aired on BBC One - and viewers are calling it the best show they've seen in a long time.

The prison drama stars Sean Bean (Game Of Thrones, Broken) and Stephen Graham (Line of Duty) and delves inside the realities of life in a British jail.

Viewers are calling it one of the most realistic takes on prison life, with the show being told through the eyes of two men - a prisoner, and an officer. You can watch a trailer below:

Sean Bean plays Mark Hebden, a teacher, husband and dad who has been convicted of manslaughter for accidentally killing a cyclist. He has been sentenced to four years.

Meanwhile, Stephen Graham stars as Eric Reid, a kind and hardworking prison officer, who is constantly battling against low facilities and staffing to protect his inmates.

Eric ends up in an impossible situation when some of the inmates in the prison find out his son has ended up in another jail, something they repeatedly use to threaten him.

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The BBC says what follows is a "story of guilt and forgiveness, punishment and penitence and the impact that prison has on all those who pass through it".

Written by Jimmy McGovern - who also penned the script for Broken and Accused - viewers are calling it "powerful" and "gripping", meanwhile others credited it as the most realistic prison drama they'd seen.

One wrote: "Oh my goodness did you watch Time the new BBC drama last night? Best portrayal of prison I've seen in a very long time. Sean Bean is brilliant."

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While another added: "The new three part BBC prison drama #Time is unsurprisingly very grim, but an excellent production."

And a third said: "Jimmy McGovern is a genius his portrayal of first-time imprisonment, the social disorder of prisons in one hour is outstanding. A powerhouse cast, brutal and hard to watch but it's compelling. British drama at its best."

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Meanwhile another commented: "Just finished watching the first ep of BBC's #Time and my jaw is on the floor. Compelling, insightful and astonishing in equal measure. Certainly evokes the profound distortions of our prison system."

"I am left speechless by Time, So powerful and moving. I can find no words. #Time #BBC."

Time continues next Sunday at 9pm on BBC One, or you can catch all three episodes on BBC iPlayer now.

Topics: BBC, TV News, TV & Film

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot. Get in touch at [email protected].