The award-winning drama is set to air soon and fans have been treated to a first look at the cast in action13:38, 16 Jul 2026Updated 14:03, 16 Jul 2026The BBC has released a first look at a gritting and moving series as Doctor Who and Happy Valley stars team up.‌BAFTA-winning hit drama Time, written by multi-award-winning screenwriter Jimmy McGovern and Samuel Bailey, is making a return to our TV screens for its third season.‌Set in a Young Offenders institution, the series, which has begun filming in Belfast, will explore the impact of locking up teenagers and the effects on those who look after them.‌Ahead of the new series, fans have been treated to first look pictures of lead stars David Tennant, who takes on the role as Bobby Bailey, a Custodial Manager at the YOI, and co-star Siobhan Finneran who is reprising her role as chaplain Marie-Louise O’Dell.The duo will be joined by Daniel Ryan as Freddie Jennings, a Custodial Manager at the YOI, Jo Joyner as Nicola, Vinette Robinson as Erica, Louis McCartney as James, Ollie McNulty as Peter and Chukwubuikem Molokwu as Christopher.‌Speaking about the cast, series creator and writer Jimmy McGovern said in a statement: "What a wonderful cast. I am utterly delighted!"According to the synopsis: “Prison Chaplain Marie-Louise comes to the YOI having lost her faith. When tragedy strikes in the prison, Marie-Louise clashes with veteran officer Bailey, a man in the midst of his own crisis.“Bailey knows more about the circumstances that led to this major incident – but will he come clean before the guilt gets too much?”‌It adds: “Meanwhile, two teenage young offenders, Peter and James, struggle through the terrifying first weeks and months of their incarceration."Can James ever face his broken parents after an unforgivable act of violence and will Peter tell the truth about the death of an innocent man, or does family loyalty mean more?‌“An unlikely friendship between them looks to shift the trajectory of their futures, but in an increasingly unstable environment, is change ever possible?”The first season of the prison drama aired in 2021, starring Sean Bean as prisoner Mark Cobden, former teacher consumed by guilt after killing someone in a drink-driving accident, experiencing prison for the first time amdand Stephen Graham as his conflicted prison officer Eric McNally.Season 2 transferred to a women’s prison, and was fronted by Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance and Bella Ramsey.Article continues belowTime seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.