David Tennant and Happy Valley favourite star in dramatic first look at BBC's Time season 3

The new episodes look poised to be another hard-hitting watch.

David Tennant plays Custodial Manager Bailey in Time season 3; he looks over his shoulder at the camera, with a prison corridor sprawling out in front of him

BBC / BBC Studios / Peter Marley

Published: Thursday, 16 July 2026 at 2:00 pm

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The BBC has unveiled a slew of never-before-seen images from the upcoming third season of its acclaimed prison drama Time.

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The anthology series began with a harrowing tale starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham, before shifting focus to a women's prison for season 2, enlisting the talents of Jodie Whittaker, Bella Ramsey and Tamara Lawrance.

The connective tissue throughout has been Siobhan Finneran's compelling chaplain Marie-Louise O'Dell, who returns once again for this three-part chapter that sends her to a young offenders institution (YOI).

Screen legend David Tennant joins the cast as custodial manager Bobby Bailey, whom Marie-Louise will be working closely with during her stint at the prison. Daniel Ryan (Dear England) plays fellow staff member Freddie Jennings.

David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran star in Time season 3; their characters are sat in a meeting room, with colourful windows in the background behind them

David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran star in Time season 3. BBC/BBC Studios/Peter Marley

The synopsis, courtesy of the BBC, teases: "Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise comes to the YOI having lost her faith. When tragedy strikes in the prison, Marie-Louise clashes with veteran officer 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?"

David Tennant and Louis McCartney star in Time season 3; in this scene, Custodial Manager Bailey is patting down James outside of his prison cell

David Tennant and Louis McCartney star in Time season 3 BBC/BBC Studios/Peter Marley

Stranger Things: The First Shadow alum Louis McCartney, plus newcomers Ollie McNulty and Chukwubuikem Molokwu, have been cast as inmates James, Peter and Christopher, with the series promising to examine the impact of locking up teenagers – both on the prisoners themselves and the staff taking care of them.

Chukwubuikem Molokwu as Christopher in Time season 3, walking down a prison hallway with a staff member behind him on each side

Siobhan Finneran, Chukwubuikem Molokwu and David Tennant star in Time season 3 BBC/BBC Studios/Peter Marley

The synopsis reveals: "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?"

It also questions: "An unlikely friendship between them looks to shift the trajectory of their futures, but in an increasingly unstable environment, is change ever possible?"

Ollie McNulty plays Peter Palmerston in Time season 3; he is holding folded uniforms while standing outside his prison cell, talking with two prison staff members

Ollie McNulty plays Peter Palmerston in Time season 3 BBC/BBC Studios/Peter Marley

The cast is completed by Jo Joyner and Vinette Robinson in the roles of Nicola and Erica respectively, although it's not yet clear what the plot has in store for these characters.

Nicola forces a slight, apprehensive smile in a scene from Time season 3

Jo Joyner stars in Time season 3 BBC/BBC Studios/Peter Marley

Series creator Jimmy McGovern has co-written the third season in collaboration with Samuel Bailey, while Paul Whittington (Dear England, This Town) is taking on directing duties for this instalment.

Vinette Robinson plays Erica Bailey in Time season 3; she is sat in her bedroom, looking into a mirror with a straight face

Vinette Robinson plays Erica Bailey in Time season 3 BBC/BBC Studios/Peter Marley

Earlier this year, when casting was announced, Bailey promised that the series "will be just as impactful and devastating as Time 1 and 2".

He added: "I'm particularly excited for audiences to meet the lads playing our young offenders, who are all remarkable actors that I know we're going to be seeing a lot more of in the future."

Time season 3 is coming soon to BBC One. Catch up on older episodes now via iPlayer.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of David Craig, smiling against a lime green background.

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.

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