Ever since the BBC announced last year that hit prison drama Time would be returning for a second season, set in a women’s prison, we’ve been seriously excited: after all, the first series, starring Stephen Graham and Sean Bean, was gripping, unmissable television.

Earlier this year, the broadcaster has unveiled a first look at the upcoming instalment, which stars The Last of Us’s Bella Ramsey alongside former Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker and The Silent Twins’ Tamara Lawrance as three prisoners who arrive on the same day.

From the seriously impressive cast to the team involved behind the camera, here’s what we know about the series so far. 

Who is in the cast of Time season 2?

Ramsey will play Kelsey, while Jodie Whittaker will take on the role of Orla and Tamara Lawrance will star as Abi. So far, details about their characters are scarce: all we know is that the three inmates are “very different”.

Appearing alongside them, Happy Valley’s Siobhan Finneran, who appeared in the show’s first season as the prison’s chaplain Marie-Louise, will reprise her role in the upcoming season alongside the new cast. Further cast members are yet to be announced.

Before filming kicked off in Liverpool earlier this year, all three of the show’s new stars shared their enthusiasm at joining the show. 

“I’m very happy to be a part of this project, working with an incredible team and following on from a stellar first season,” Ramsey said. “And it’s such an honour to be Kelsey, I’m really excited to experience the world through her for a few months.”

Lawrance hinted that the upcoming series “humanises a sector of society that is too often and easily vilified”, adding that “being a part of women-centred stories and productions is very important to me, as well as projects that challenge a prejudice… I’m excited for us to platform the complexity of these characters and their experiences”. 

Whittaker also praised the first season, saying: “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.”

What is Time season 2 about?

The BBC has described the second season as “a moving and high-stakes portrayal of life inside a women’s prison”, which kicks off when Kelsey, Orla and Abi arrive at Carlingford Prison on the same day, and “are thrown together to face an unfamiliar world”.

“But even with the ever-present threat of violence within its walls, they discover that an unexpected sense of community, and a shared understanding, still might be possible,” the synopsis adds. 

Who else is involved behind the camera?

Legendary screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, who created the original show, is back on board, and this time he is working alongside novelist-turned-screenwriter Helen Black. 

“This is the best cast I have ever seen assembled for any drama of mine,” McGovern said. “The best crew too. I am so, so looking forward to it.”

Black, who has previously worked on shows like Death In Paradise and Life And Death In The Warehouse, described working on the show as “a joy and an honour”. 

Andrea Harkin, who most recently worked on ITVX’s powerful period piece The Confessions Of Frannie Langton, will be on directing duties.

When will Time season 2 be on TV?

The new series has been confirmed to air on BBC One on Sunday 29 October at 9pm. Like the first, this season will comprise of three one-hour episodes.

Will you be watching? 

Images: BBC / Getty