Time

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It's an utterly believable, intelligent and truly moving drama that gets to the heart of what's wrong with our outdated, broken prison system.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

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.

This is a quite wonderful three part series from the BBC, and the pen and experience of Jimmy McGovern.

I can't lie, I've not been expecting The BBC to deliver something of this quality, it seems some time, however, credit where it's due, this is a tremendous watch.

The story has a harsh, but truthful reality, I found myself googling certain things, such as if prisoners actually have kettles in their cells, and the effects of sugar in boiling water, so many things were proven to be accurate.

A few people I'd spoken to said that they were put off by the violence of the first episode, and it is a bit grim, however if you dislike such events, once you get past episode one, there are fewer such things.

The acting was sensational, Sean Bean and Stephen Graham are both due awards for this, Aneurin Barnard steals the first episode.

A terrific series, all involved did an amazing job, 10/10.

We watched all 3 episodes back to back tonight. Very well written, realistic acting and a very good storyline. Sean Bean and Stephen Graham are excellent as are all the cast. The ending is honest, nothing felt rushed and there was a hint of atonement at the end. Ignore the 1 star review that implies we're small minded if we enjoy it (Funny it being written by someone who admits they don't get Shakespeare). Make your own mind up. My only plot quibble is that the female chaplin walked around the main wing without any hint of protection from the guards. That didn't seem right or believable.