Time Returns With New Cast For Season 3 Prison Drama

BBC prison drama Time returns for its third season with a new story set inside a young offender institution, featuring David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran as the central figures. The three-part series follows a prison chaplain and a veteran officer as they face a crisis after a tragic incident. According to Radio Times, the latest season is written by Jimmy McGovern and Samuel Bailey and directed by Paul Whittington.

The story focuses on chaplain Marie-Louise O'Dell, who arrives after losing her faith, and officer Bobby Bailey, who is dealing with a personal crisis. The series introduces Tennant as Bobby Bailey, a long-serving officer whose professional and personal pressures collide. According to Radio Times, an incident in the opening episode leaves Bailey aware of information that authorities do not have, forcing him to consider his responsibilities.

Tennant is known for roles including the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who, as well as appearances in Broadchurch, Good Omens, Jessica Jones and Rivals. Radio Times reported that he also appeared in ITV's The Hack and The Thursday Murder Club in 2025.

Siobhan Finneran returns as Marie-Louise O'Dell, making her the only actor to appear across all three seasons of Time. According to Radio Times, the chaplain works in a young offender institution in the new season while trying to support inmates and staff. Finneran has previously appeared as Sarah O'Brien in Downton Abbey and Clare Cartwright in Happy Valley, a role that earned her a BAFTA supporting-actress nomination in 2017. Her other credits include The Moorside, The Stranger and Protection.

The season also features a large group of younger performers, including Chukwubuikem Molokwu as Christopher or Ushindi, Louis McCartney as James Hennessey, and Ollie McNulty as Peter Palmerston. Radio Times reported that their characters experience the challenges of incarceration and difficult personal circumstances. Daniel Ryan plays officer Freddie Jennings, while Ethaniel Davy, Victor Zhao, Paul Smith Junior, Jack Barnes and Finn Kearns appear among the young offender characters. Additional cast members include Vinette Robinson, Jo Joyner, Gavin Spokes and Nyokabi Gethaiga.

Time season 3 continues the anthology approach of the drama, creating a separate prison-based story while retaining Finneran as the only performer connected to all three installments.