Time

Written by Jimmy McGovern so it's not going to give you that warm happy feeling inside. First episode is excellent tv and straight away I feel I'm beginning my prison sentence with the main character, Mark (Sean Bean).

The cast of characters looks great and acting is top notch. Looking forward to the remaining episodes. Solid 9 so far.

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

Often difficult to watch, but nonetheless an absolute triumph that demonstrates the very best of British drama. Sean Bean and Stephen Graham demonstrate why they are two of the most respected names in the industry today with absolutely stellar performances and never let up for a second. When I went into Time I was expecting something utterly hopeless and bleak, but there's just enough light in the darkness to keep you hopeful. A character study done to a perfection, with every theme, nuance and character nailed to a T. I cannot recommend this enough.

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.

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It's an utterly believable, intelligent and truly moving drama that gets to the heart of what's wrong with our outdated, broken prison system.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