Parents' Guide to

9-1-1

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Harrowing rescue series has trauma and drama.

TV Fox Drama 2018
9-1-1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 13+

Based on 7 parent reviews

Mark S.
Mark S. Parent of 13 and 15-year-old
April 17, 2023
age 18+

More preachy than entertaining

Some decent action scenes, but ridiculously over-acted to the point of being extremely corny. Also, teach your kids that being white doesn't mean that you are always the negligent, ill-advised, racist or dangerous one (as the show continually portrays). Every time there is an accident, it is the fault of a dumb, stubborn, arrogant or negligent white person. This portrayal is damaging to our society and only perpetuates racial division. EVERY race is prone to making mistakes. If the show would just once cast a black person in the role of the evil accident-causer, we would all fall off our chairs. Don't expect it to happen anytime soon. Grade: D+
mjrd
mjrd Adult
June 23, 2021
age 11+

Age 11 with parents, 14 alone

BEST SHOW EVER!!! Definitely appropriate for families and kids aged 11 should watch with parents because of making out and scenes that talk about sex, etc. as well as some gory scenes. I’d say 14-year-olds and up could watch alone.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Co-executive-produced by Angela Bassett, 9-1-1 is a procedural drama that follows the professional and personal lives of a team of Los Angeles first responders. Bassett plays LAPD patrol sergeant Athena Grant, who is juggling her hectic professional life while trying to come to terms with her dysfunctional marriage to husband Michael Grant (Rockmond Dunbar). Meanwhile, Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) must handle the pressures of the job with paramedics Howie "Chimney" Han (Kenneth Choi) and Henrietta "Hen" Wilson (Aisha Hinds), while mentoring rookie firefighter Evan "Buck" Buckley (Oliver Stark). Taking the emergency calls is 911 operator Abby Clark (Connie Britton), who, when not on the job, is taking care of her mother (Mariette Hartley), who is slowly succumbing to Alzheimer's. Their lives aren't simple or easy, but they work together to help those they can, and support each other when they need it most.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7):
Kids say (29):

This dramatic (and often traumatic) series, based on real-life emergency responder stories, takes viewers through harrowing crises and climactic rescues. It turns up the tension a few notches by often showing brutal injuries and people meeting their demise. Some of the characters' personal conflicts are equally intense.

Thanks to the sensational way accidents, attempted suicides, and other distressing events are presented, the show isn't always easy to watch. But 9-1-1 also features some solid, well-developed narratives, making it worth tuning in if you can handle it.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the role of first responders such as those depicted in 9-1-1. What makes their jobs so challenging? How do they manage the pressure that comes with their work?

  • 9-1-1 is based on real-life experiences of emergency response teams. Is the way these stories are being told more dramatic than the experiences really were?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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