Time series 2 cast revealed: The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey and Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker lead Jimmy McGovern prison drama

Time was one of the BBC’s most popular and critically acclaimed series of 2021.

Starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham, the Jimmy McGovern (Cracker, The Street) prison drama won multiple awards and was watched by over 11 million viewers.

The show returns for series with a change of location to a women’s prison and an incredible cast including The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey and Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker.

Here is everything you need to know about Time series 2…

Time series 2 cast

• Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us, His Dark Materials) - Plays Kelsey
• Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) - Plays Orla
• Tamara Lawrance (The Silent Twins, The Long Song) - Plays Abi
• Siobhan Finneran - Plays prison chaplain Marie-Louise

Series 2 of Time will explore life in a modern British women’s prison.

Siobhan Finneran (Downton Abbey) reprises her role as prison chaplain Marie-Louise from series 1. She is joined by an A-list cast including Bella Ramsey, Jodie Whittaker and Tamara Lawrance.

"I'm very happy to be a part of this project, working with an incredible team and following on from a stellar first season," said Ramsey.

"And it’s such an honour to be Kelsey, I’m really excited to experience the world through her for a few months."

Jodie Whittaker said: "Time was such an incredible and powerful show created by an extraordinary team and being a part of this project in its second iteration is an absolute dream."

Tamara Lawrance said: "Being a part of women-centred stories and productions is very important to me, as well as projects that challenge a prejudice. Time series two humanises a sector of society that is too often and easily vilified by elucidating the layered reasons why people end up in the criminal (in)justice system. I'm excited for us to platform the complexity of these characters and their experiences."

Returning cast member Siobhan Finneran added: "I am delighted to be returning for Time two. It was a privilege to be involved in the first series and to be asked back is an honour, the scripts are again heartbreakingly brilliant."

What is Time about?

Time is an original story told through the lens of three very different inmates.

The BBC described series 2 as “a moving and high-stakes portrayal of life inside a women’s prison”.

The three inmates the series focuses on in Carlingford Prison are Kelsey (Bella Ramsey), Orla (Jodie Whittaker) and Abi (Tamara Lawrance), who are thrown together to face an unfamiliar world.

Even with an ever-present threat of violence within its walls, they discover that an unexpected sense of community, and a shared understanding, still might be possible.

Who is the creator of Time?

Time series 1 and 2 have been written by Jimmy McGovern and Helen Black (Life and Death in the Warehouse)

Talking about the impressive ensemble in series 2, Jimmy McGovern said: "This is the best cast I have ever seen assembled for any drama of mine. The best crew too. I am so, so looking forward to it."

Helen Black added: "To be asked to write the second season of Time with the incomparable Jimmy McGovern has been a joy and an honour."

When is Time series 2 released?

Time series 2 begins filming in Liverpool soon.

The series is expected to be released in late 2023 or early 2024.

How many episodes of Time are there?

Series 2 of Time will have three episodes.

Who was in the Time series 1 cast?

Time was a portrayal of life in a British prison, focusing on newly imprisoned Mark Cobden (Sean Bean) and prison officer Eric McNally (Stephen Graham).

Mark is consumed by guilt for his crime and is out of his depth in prison, while Eric faces an unenviable choice between his family and his principles.

Time also boasted cast members including Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley, The Other One), Sue Johnston (The Royle Family, Downton Abbey), Hannah Walters (This Is England, Pirates Of The Caribbean), James Nelson-Joyce (Little Boy Blue, The Virtues), David Calder (The World Is Not Enough, The Hatton Garden Job), Nadine Marshall (Small Axe, Sitting In Limbo), Michael Socha (This Is England, Being Human), Aneurin Barnard (Dunkirk, The Goldfinch, The Pact) and Jack McMullen (The First Team, The Souvenir).

How to watch Time

Time series 1 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

Time series 2 is coming to BBC One and iPlayer.