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In the City

(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Gemma Atkinson, Marcus Patric, Lee Warburton, Where to watch: BBC America)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Racy British soap wallows in drugs and sex.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Characters engage in bad and often criminal activity, including drugs, stealing, and prostitution. Lying and cheating comes naturally for most of them, and using sex for personal gain (blackmail or money, mostly) is common.

  • Violence:

    The occasional fistfights or slaps usually don't result in blood.

  • Sex:

    Photos of naked women (mostly side views with breasts and some pubic hair exposed) are common. Nude men sometimes walk into the scene with butts in full view. A post-coital scene shows a woman putting on her bra; another shot includs two girls kissing. Men sneak glances up ladies' skirts, women eye and comment on guys' butts, and one supporting character is a transvestite.

  • Language:

    Infrequent uses of "f--k" are bleeped; other mild swearing and British slang.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The characters often drink beer and liquor, both at home and in social settings. Some drug use.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About In the City

Parents need to know that this British soap (a spin-off of popular guilty pleasure Hollyoaks) is filled with sex, drugs, alcohol, and criminal behavior. Scenes sometimes feature nudity (butts, posters of naked women whose breasts and pubic hair are visible, etc.). One main character is a prostitute (though sex isn't shown, she gets paid hefty wads of cash in post-coital scenes) and another is a shady businessman who threatens people who owe him money. Frequent alcohol and drug use includes spiking drinks (in one case, so a woman can take advantage of a man) and snorting what's presumably cocaine.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what living on your own is like. Teens: What do you plan to do when you leave home? How will you make a living? What worries do you have about being on your own? What do you think will be the most challenging aspect? The most rewarding? Do you think your own life as an adult will be anything like what's depicted in this series? What makes over-the-top soaps like this one fun to watch? When do they go too far?
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