Back behind bars

Tamara Lawrance, Jodie Whittaker and Bella Ramsey are prison inmates as award-winning drama Time returns to our screens

- SEAN MARLAND 

NEW DRAMA
Time
Sunday, 9pm, BBC1 (box set, BBC iPlayer)

Sean Bean and Stephen Graham won critical acclaim in 2021 for their performances in hardhitting, BAFTA-winning drama Time, set in a violent men's prison. Now, writer Jimmy McGovern has returned to the same subject in a star-studded follow-up, this time featuring new characters played by Jodie Whittaker, Bella Ramsey and Tamara Lawrance.

The three-part series is set in the fictional Carlingford women's prison and told through the intertwining stories of three very different inmates - Orla, Kelsey and Abi - who arrive on the same day in this week's opening episode.

The trio are immediately plunged into a battle for survival, but also discover an unexpected sense of community as the prison gates close behind them.

One woman who tries to help them through their stretch inside is prison chaplain MarieLouise (Siobhan Finneran), the only returning character from the first series.

'Jimmy McGovern's writing is legendary,' says Downton Abbey and Happy Valley star Finneran.

"The way he writes about these characters, you're desperate to find out how these people are going to get through their situations. You're supporting them and also heartbroken for them.

Here, we take a closer look at the prison's three newest inmates...

ABI’S STORY