TIME: JIMMY McGOVERN DRAMA SET FOR THIRD SERIES ON BBC ONE WITH NEW SETTING AND NEW CAST

Jimmy McGovern's hit BBC drama Time is reportedly set to return for a third series, again with a new setting and new cast.

The Sun newspaper reports the prison drama is to return for a third series, this time set in an institution for young offenders. The previous two series have been set in a male prison and female prison respectively.

A source told The Sun: "The parallels between the new show’s central topic and Netflix’s recent hit, Adolescence, are obvious, but entirely coincidental. Though both deal with adolescent offending and its consequences, the third series of Time would most likely have gone down this path anyway...

"But it is certainly a theme which will prove highly immersive for audiences who have already been introduced to the world of young offenders through Adolescence. It’s not clear yet which actors will take the lead in the new show, but the lead roles are guaranteed to be sought after."

The first series saw Sean Bean take on the role of Mark Cobden, a teacher, husband and father, who killed an innocent man in an accident. Consumed by guilt, he accepts and even welcomes his four-year sentence. Separated from his family, he has no idea what to expect in this unforgiving new environment and needs to learn quickly how to survive.

The second series followed Orla (Jodie Whittaker), Abi (Tamara Lawrance) and Kelsey (Bella Ramsey) who 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.

Previous series of Time are available now on BBC iPlayer.