TIME is returning to the BBC with a new setting and story, as well as a cast of mostly fresh faces.
David Tennant leads the third series of Jimmy McGovern’s acclaimed drama, while Siobhan Finneran reprises her role as prison chaplain Marie-Louise O’Dell.
This time the action takes place inside a young offender institution (YOI), exploring the consequences of locking up teenagers and the pressures faced by the people responsible for them.
The BBC’s synopsis reads: “Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise comes to the YOI having lost her faith.
“When tragedy strikes in the prison, Marie-Louise clashes with veteran officer Bobby 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?”
Here’s everything you need to know about the cast of series 3 of Time.
David Tennant
David Tennant plays Bobby Bailey, a veteran custodial manager working at the Young Offenders Institution.
Bailey is facing a personal crisis after a tragedy takes place inside the prison.
The officer knows more about the incident than he initially admits, putting him at odds with chaplain Marie-Louise O’Dell.
David is best known for Doctor Who, Broadchurch and Good Omens.
Siobhan Finneran
Siobhan Finneran returns as prison chaplain Marie-Louise O’Dell, the only character to appear in all three series of Time.
Marie-Louise arrives at the YOI having lost her faith and soon clashes with Bailey over the incident at the centre of the story.
She previously worked with inmates at the men’s prison in series one before moving to the women’s prison featured in series two.
Siobhan previously starred in Happy Valley, Downton Abbey and Benidorm.
Louis McCartney
Louis McCartney plays young offender James Hennessy, who is sent to the institution following an “unforgivable act of violence” and struggles with whether he can face his devastated parents.
He forms an unlikely friendship with fellow inmate Peter as the pair attempt to navigate their first months behind bars.
Louis will be familiar to viewers of BBC police drama Hope Street, and he also took to the stage in Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
Ollie McNulty as Peter Palmerston
Ollie McNulty plays young offender Peter Palmerston, who finds himself torn between remaining loyal to his family and telling the truth about the death of an innocent man.
He develops an unlikely friendship with James as both teenagers struggle to adjust to life inside the institution.
Time marks Ollie’s professional screen debut.
Chukwubuikem Molokwu as Christopher Madubuko
Chukwubuikem Molokwu plays Christopher, another of the young offenders at the centre of the new series.
First-look pictures show Christopher being taken through the institution accompanied by Bailey and Marie-Louise.
His experiences form part of the drama’s wider examination of what incarceration does to teenagers and the people responsible for looking after them.
Chukwubuikem is a newcomer to TV, with Time also marking his screen debut.
Who else stars in series 3 of Time?
A number of familiar TV faces and newcomers complete the cast, playing prison staff, young offenders and characters connected to the central story.
The BBC has confirmed the following additional cast members:
- Vinette Robinson as Erica Bailey – the actress is known for Boiling Point and The Lazarus Project.
- Jo Joyner as Nicola – the former EastEnders star has also appeared in Stay Close and Little Disasters.
- Daniel Ryan as Freddie Jennings – a custodial manager at the YOI, played by the actor known for The Bay and Such Brave Girls.
- Warren Brown as Albie – Brown’s credits include The Responder and Ten Pound Poms.
- Ethaniel Davy as Jayden – the actor has previously appeared in Chicken Town and Hollyoaks.
- Victor Zhao as Jietang – the role marks Zhao’s screen debut.
- Paul Smith Junior as Toby – he is also making his screen debut in Time.
- Finn Kearns as Mark – another newcomer making his first credited screen appearance.
- Jack Barnes as Chaz – Barnes also makes his screen debut in the BBC drama.
When did Time series three start?
Time series 3 began on Sunday, October 11, 2026, on BBC One and iPlayer.
The new run consists of three hour-long episodes, with the drama continuing across the following week.
The full schedule is as follows:
- Episode one – Sunday, October 11 at 9pm
- Episode two – Monday, October 12 at 9pm
- Episode three – Sunday, October 18 at 9pm
The latest story has been written by series creator Jimmy McGovern alongside Samuel Bailey, with Paul Whittington directing.
The first series of Time, starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham, was set in a men’s prison and won the Bafta for Best Mini-Series.
Series two moved the action to a women’s prison and starred Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance and Bella Ramsey, with Siobhan first appearing as Marie-Louise.
Series three now turns its attention to young offenders and the effect imprisonment has on them, their families and the staff looking after them.