The Guardian by Lucy Mangan

The performances of Bean and Graham are, even though we have come to expect brilliance from them both, astonishing. So, too, are those from everyone in smaller roles, none of which is underwritten or sketchy, and who thicken the drama into something more profoundly moving and enraging at every turn. Time well spent.

Radio Times by Abby Robinson

Once again McGovern, alongside Black, has delivered a brilliant piece of television that wholly deserves your time.

The Independent by Nick Hilton

Screenwriter McGovern’s drama might be too conventional, too predictable, for real excellence. But this portrait of women on the edge, battling systems outside of their control, is tight, tense, and compassionate. Time, ultimately, is on their side.

i by Gerard Gilbert

McGovern has crafted another eye-opening foray into the reality of prison and its ramifications in the outside world.

The Times by Carol Midgley

It is also compelling television, though, with a premium cast and written like a punch to the face. In a good way.

The Telegraph by Anita Singh

We learned far more about Bean’s character than Graham’s. McGovern didn’t reveal his hand – we know that Eric will be forced to compromise himself in an attempt to save his son from harm, but we don’t know how Mark will be drawn into that. It’s not going to end well, is it? But at least we get to watch two actors at the very top of their game.

Radio Times by Flora Carr

Stephen Graham is right when he calls the series “difficult to watch,” but it’s also a must-see, both as a lesson on the British prison system, and a masterclass in acting.

i by Rachael Sigee

Superlative acting (from the entire cast as well as the two leads), heartbreaking storytelling and a fearless depiction of a system that looks to serve no-one but those people who, as Mark's cellmate suggests, are making money from it.

Decider by Joel Keller

While the writing in Time is strong, the performances by Bean and Graham are what will connect with viewers.