The BBC crime drama has been branded a 'masterpiece' by both critics and audiences, with viewers crowning it 'the finest TV show ever produced' - and it's streaming on BBC iPlayer now08:27, 10 Jul 2026While Line of Duty may well be regarded as the gold standard for outstanding British crime drama, one series is being hailed as 'the very best television has to offer'.‌The compelling crime drama has been labelled a 'masterpiece' by critics and viewers alike, with audiences crowning it 'the finest TV show ever produced'.‌Time is an anthology crime drama series created by Jimmy McGovern (Cracker, Hillsborough) and co-written by McGovern and Helen Black.‌Made up of two seasons, each entirely separate from the other, with every series made up of three hour-long episodes.The cast can quite rightly be described as British acting royalty, with series one featuring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham in the lead roles, while series two boasts Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance, Bella Ramsey and Siobhan Finneran, reports the Manchester Evening News.‌Both series are united by their overarching theme, exploring the lives of both inmates and staff within the British prison system - His Majesty's Prison Service (HMPS).Series one first aired on BBC One on June 6 2021, while season two landed on British screens on October 29 2023. To the delight of devoted fans, a third season was announced in November 2025, which will see Finneran return to her role as Marie-Louise O'Dell, joined by Scottish A-lister David Tennant.Time received enormous critical praise, with the inaugural series earning a nomination for, and subsequently winning, Best Mini-Series at the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards. Sean Bean also secured the Best Actor prize for his performance in the programme, while Graham received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.‌The drama examines life inside the British prison system, with a substantial amount of the first series shot across the Liverpool City Region.HM Prison Shrewsbury, a former facility that closed in 2013, was used as the on-location backdrop for the prison wings and cells.‌With a near-perfect 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Time proved to be a resounding triumph on every level.While one critic branded it "absolutely breathtaking", another said of the programme, "Under Arnold's documentary-style direction, intensely realistic, Time is relentless, unnerving and urgent storytelling, TV drama that matters."Another critic lavished praise upon Sean Bean and Stephen Graham's performances: "The performances of Bean and Graham are, even though we have come to expect brilliance from them both, astonishing."‌The praise for the acting was mirrored by a further reviewer: "Bean's and Graham's performances are as brilliantly contained and captivating as you'd expect, and there's great casting across the board as a small host of supporting players flesh out the milieu and the issues McGovern wants to get to."Audiences were equally captivated, with one viewer saying: "Probably the greatest short series ever made. The performances of Sean Bean and Stephen Graham's lives."‌One viewer review said: "Absolutely riveting drama,must watch from start to finish Brilliantly acted and excellent plot."Another fan added: "I was absolutely amazed at the acting in this show. The script goes deep. I have yet to find a tv show that touches on what matters in life in a more truthful and raw way than this. Bravo to Sean Bean, absolutely amazing!".While yet another wrote: "Exceptional performances all round, particularly from Sean Bean and Stephen Graham. Once again the BBC have produced a top notch-drama."‌An IMDB user review reads: "Gut wrenching. 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."A character study done to a perfection, with every theme, nuance and character nailed to a T. I cannot recommend this enough."A further fan said: "Compelling drama. TV drama doesn't get any better than this. Gritty yet tastefully written with powerhouse performances from the two leads."Article continues belowTime is available to stream on BBC iPlayer right now.