What to know about Time Season 4 and Stephen Graham’s crime dramas
- Time Season 4: Jimmy McGovern says the anthology will not return because he believes its stories have been told.
- Three prison settings: Time has covered a men’s prison, a women’s prison and a young offenders institution across its three seasons.
- Season 3 cast: David Tennant stars in the third season, while Siobhan Finneran returns as prison chaplain Marie-Louise.
- Where to watch: Time streams on BritBox, while Nocturne streams on Apple TV.
Time Season 4 appears unlikely, according to series creator Jimmy McGovern, who says he does not think there is another story to tell. This article explains his comments, recaps how the three-season BBC prison drama changed its setting and cast, and notes where viewers can stream Time and Nocturne.
Just a week ago, Stephen Graham’s Apple TV crime drama Nocturne premiered with two gripping episodes, which received a warm response from fans and critics. Created by Rowan Joffé, the series adapts Lars Kepler’s crime novels Lazarus and The Sandman. Nocturne is a psychological thriller currently streaming on Apple TV. Its first season is expected to conclude with ten episodes on December 25, 2026, and the series has not been officially renewed for a second season.
In Nocturne, Graham plays Jurek Walter, a serial killer held in the basement of Riverside Psychiatric Hospital. He stars alongside Liev Schreiber and Zazie Beetz, who play Jonah Lynn, a former homicide detective, and Saga Bauer, an undercover FBI agent and Jonah’s surrogate daughter. Graham’s role is reminiscent of his work in another unsettling crime drama, where he also brought depth to a morally complex character.
The BBC anthology drama Time, created and written by Jimmy McGovern, stars Graham as Eric McNally, a respected veteran prison officer whose moral compass is challenged by tragic circumstances. The series premiered on BBC One on June 6, 2021, and ran for three seasons, concluding on October 18, 2026. In the United States, Season 3 concludes on BritBox on November 5, prompting questions about whether the show will return for a fourth season. McGovern has addressed the possibility in a recent conversation with TV Insider.
Will There Be a ‘Time’ Season 4?
Time is not expected to return for Season 4, because McGovern believes the series has told the stories it set out to tell. “I don’t think there will be one,” the creator said. He explained that the show had covered men, women and young people, leaving no further group he felt needed a season. The original plan was for a single season set in a men’s prison, but the show’s popularity led to Seasons 2 and 3.
McGovern’s explanation is that the anthology has completed its planned range of prison stories.
“When I first set off, it was only going to be one series of three episodes in a men’s prison. I know what the BBC were expecting. They were expecting it to be fairly well received, but not popular, because that’s my stuff. It was well received, and it was massively popular. So only after it was shown did they say to me, ‘Can we do another one, please?’”
Time is an anthology following prisoners, prison staff and a chaplain in a different institution each season. Season 1 takes place in a men’s prison, Season 2 in a women’s prison and Season 3 in a young offenders institution.
The three seasons use different settings and casts, while Siobhan Finneran appears throughout as prison chaplain Mary-Louise.
- Season 1: Stephen Graham and Sean Bean star in the men’s prison story.
- Season 2: Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance and Bella Ramsey star in the women’s prison story.
- Season 3: David Tennant stars in the young offenders institution story.
- All three seasons: Siobhan Finneran plays prison chaplain Mary-Louise.
The anthology format allowed Time to shift its focus from one prison population to another while retaining Finneran’s chaplain character. Time streams on BritBox, while Nocturne streams on Apple TV.
Where can you watch Time and Nocturne?
Time is available to stream on BritBox, and Nocturne is available on Apple TV. These are the streaming platforms identified for the two series.
BritBox streams Time, and Apple TV streams Nocturne.
Where does Time take place in each season?
Season 1 is set in a men’s prison, Season 2 in a women’s prison and Season 3 in a young offenders institution.
Who stars in Time Season 3?
David Tennant stars in Season 3, and Siobhan Finneran returns as prison chaplain Mary-Louise.
Is Time Season 4 confirmed?
No. Jimmy McGovern has said he does not think the series will return because he believes there are no more stories to tell.
Where can I stream Nocturne?
Nocturne streams on Apple TV.
- Release Date
- 2021 – 2025-00-00
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Siobhan Finneran
Marie-Louise O’Dell
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Jodie Whitaker
Orla O’Riordan
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