Time

Jimmy McGovern's 'Time' is a harrowing prison drama, where the worst punishment is the rule of the prisoners themselves. Compared with recent documentaries I have watched, it actually slightly underplays the drug-fuelled madness of prison life; but it gets the horror exactly, laced in with the writer's Catholic sensibilities about guilt and redemption. Sean Bean and Stephen Graham are predictably excellent as prisoner and guard.

My wife suggested this last night.....I binged it in one hit and will happily say it's one of the best dramas I have ever seen

Perfect on every level and should be shown to every teenager who thinks prison would be a breeze.....I would last 1 day inside.

You know what you're getting with writer Jimmy McGovern, he's been producing top class drama rooted in Northern working class communities for decades and his writing's always acutely observed and from the heart.

Genuinely think this is one of his best ever dramas up there with Hillsborough. With the combined acting talents of Stephen Graham and Sean Bean paired in the lead roles and a superb supporting cast the script didn't put a foot wrong and the production values were perfect across the board. The score by Sarah Warne was wonderful too.

It's an utterly believable, intelligent and truly moving drama that gets to the heart of what's wrong with our outdated, broken prison system.

Loved it, moved me to tears.. Well done to the whole production team - you smashed it. Don't miss it whatever you do.

The second series with the same format but set in a women's prison is just as raw and moving and pulls no punches. Recommend it just as much, has a great ensemble cast and a brilliant script again, this time written by Jimmy McGovern and Helen Black. Hard but essential viewing.

The start of this 3 part series is particularly gruelling and you may be tempted to stop watching, but if you keep going you will be rewarded by a brilliant piece of drama and fine acting.

I'm going straight!! Best deterrent I've seen. Stella performances from Sean Bean and Stephen Graham.