Rent Time: Series 1 (2021)

Powerful prison drama - Time: Series 1 review by TE

Very fine tv 3-parter, well written by Jimmy McGovern and brought home by a top-notch cast, including Stephen Graham, who never puts a foot wrong, no matter what parts he takes on.

We see prison life through the experiences of a teacher (played with real subtlety by Sean Bean) who has no previous criminal record and who has killed a man via drink driving. The harsh realities of prison life for both inmates and staff are brilliantly conveyed.

'Time' boasts a good strong narrative, but it also goes beyond that into a nuanced examination of moral issues, such as remorse and forgiveness. A recurring theme is the way that awareness of the impact on victims grows within some of the prisoners (at least those who do not end up addicted to drugs having had no drug history before incarceration). McGovern also presents the moral issues within families when a loved one commits a crime.