There’s a 100%-Rated British Crime Drama on Britbox You’ve Probably Missed
It's not often that you can find a perfectly crafted prison drama that doesn't romanticize the gritty atmosphere of real life in there.
The crime drama genre is a popular one, often juggling with different core themes like murder investigation, mob drama, mixing in fantasy premise, and whatnot. But an outstanding subgenre of crime shows is definitely the prison drama.
And while there are plenty of them on American television, there's an unfortunate chance that you might have missed this perfect British drama streaming on Britbox called Time.
Premiering in 2021, the three-part series is set within the confines of a British prison and focuses on the harrowing and rather transformative experiences of its main characters.
The series stars Sean Bean, best known for his roles in Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings, as Mark Cobden, a man serving time for a tragic mistake. His character is a deeply flawed and remorseful man caught in a world of violence and despair, forced to navigate life behind bars and all that comes with it.
Opposite Bean is Stephen Graham, another acclaimed actor, who portrays the prison guard Eric McNally, an equally complex character. McNally is an officer caught between his duty to uphold the law and his attempts to protect his family from the dangerous environment within the prison walls.
The tension between them is probably the main emotional driver of the show, as they watch their fates become intertwined in ways neither could ever have predicted. Both Sean Bean and Stephen Graham received recognition for their outstanding roles, with Bean winning the 2022 BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor and Graham receiving a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
“I watched all three episodes last night and was blown away by this gritty prison drama. It’s so watchable and raw and the acting from everyone is just phenomenal. Highly recommend checking it out,” Redditor Zoetje_90s said.
One of the main advantages of the series is its focus on the psychological aspect of the criminal justice system. Time not only delves into the lives of the inmates, but also offers a look at the challenges faced by those who work in prison. It's a raw portrayal of the human condition that asks questions about guilt, redemption, and the system's ability to be a helpful source.
“I’m a prison officer and it’s perhaps the most close to real prison show I’ve ever seen (porridge wasn’t far off either on some days!). The noise of the landing and the terminology was absolutely spot on, they’d really done their homework, a couple of blips but only the sorts that staff or prisoners would spot really,” Redditor davidbowiescat said.
Even despite the universal praise, it seems that the show still stays a little overlooked and is not mentioned so much in the media. But if you are ready to dive into this raw story, Time is streaming on Britbox and Prime Video as well.
