Law & Order: UK

Review

Common Sense Media says

Classic L&O stories -- with a British twist.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this British adaptation of the long-running Law & Order series features the same gritty, homicide-related material as the original. It also has plenty of violence, including bomb threats and pushing, shoving, and chasing criminals. Bruises, bloody wounds, and images of corpses (including dead babies/children) are also visible. Scenes in bars and restaurants show characters drinking, cases sometimes deal with sex crimes, and prostitution is sometimes discussed.

  • Positive messages0
    The series is set within the criminal justice system, and it shows how the work of police and prosecution comes together to convict criminals within the British legal system. Overall, the cops are good, the criminals are bad, and the court and juries can go either way (though sometimes loopholes result in criminals escaping justice). Some of the crimes depicted are perpetrated against women and children.
  • Positive role models0
    The detectives and the prosecutors aren’t perfect, but they do their best to get criminals off the streets and into jail.
  • Violence3
    Incidents and cases deal with bomb threats, murders, and other violent acts. Images of bruises and bloody wounds on corpses are visible. Dead babies/children are visible.
  • Sex3
    Some flirting, sexual innuendo, and references to affairs. Cases sometimes deal with prostitution and other sex-related crimes.
  • Language3
    Like many British TV shows, it contains some language (like “tit”)  that's considered strong according to American standards. 
  • Consumerism1
    Steel occasionally plays with a Rubik’s Cube while thinking about cases.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    People are shown drinking at bars/restaurants. References to suspects being drunk.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

LAW & ORDER: UK is a British adaptation of the popular, same-named American series. Jamie Bamber and Bradley Walsh star as Matt Devlin and Ronnie Brooks, detective superintendents who investigate homicides throughout London and its suburbs under the direction of Detective Inspector Natalie Chandler (Harriet Walter). Once they catch a suspect, the case is turned over to Senior Crown Prosecutor James Steel (Ben Daniels) and Junior C.P. Alesha Phillips (Freema Agyeman). Crown Prosecution Service Director George Castle (Bill Patterson) acts as their legal conscience as they work to build and win their cases.

Is it any good?

 

This plot-driven series takes the same two-part approach as its stateside counterpart, which allows viewers to follow the complicated relationship between the investigation and prosecution of a homicide case. Each episode is a remake of an American L&O script that has been modified to fit the British legal system and to reflect the UK's diverse cultural dynamics. Despite these changes, the show manages to maintain the same gritty storytelling style the  franchise is known for.

The show’s focus on the Crown -- as well as the differences between American and British courtrooms -- marks some of the differences that U.S. viewers will see when they tune in. But these variations don't make the show hard to follow. In fact, it actually makes the series more interesting. Fans of good crime dramas definitely won't disappointed, and L&O fans will enjoy seeing how their favorite episodes have been given a British twist.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about the British legal system. What are some of the differences between it and the American legal system? Similarities?

  • Did you know that the majority of police in the United Kingdom don't
    carry guns? Why is this the case? How does that impact the way the
    stories are told on this show?

  • Is the show's violence necessary to its storylines? What kind of impact does it have on viewers?

This review of Law & Order: UK was written by
Teen, 13 years old
October 30, 2010
AGE
11
 
I love this show.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (5) | Had useful details (7) | Read my mind (5)
Flag as inappropriate 
Parent
August 17, 2012
AGE
10
 
Law and Order UK is not heinous.
Law and Order UK is actually the best series of Law and Order in terms of maturity in that kids 10 and up can see it instead of other Law and Order series.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (1) | Had useful details (1) | Read my mind (1)
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review of Law & Order: UK was written by
TV rating:TV-14
Network:BBC America
Cast:Ben Daniels, Bradley Walsh, Jamie Bamber
Genre:Drama
This review of Law & Order: UK was written by
 
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Learning Products Quick Finder

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Other good British picks
For kids who love dramas
Browse more TV
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Visite nuestro sitio en español