Blood Ties
P.I. and vampire partner take a bite out of crime.
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.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this crime drama deals with vampires, demons, and the supernatural. Violence is prevalent and includes victims being beaten, men ritualistically slashing their skin, shots of murder victims with their necks slashed, and a vampire feeding on the blood of a willing donor. Female characters are shown in bras, and some scenes show couples in the breathless throes of sex. The dark tone and frequent blood will probably rule this one out for tweens, but teens and adults may enjoy the show's original premise and suspense.
Community Reviews
Report this review
Must see on Lifetime
Report this review
What's the Story?
Inspired by Tanya Huff's The Blood Books series, BLOOD TIES puts a supernatural twist on the standard primetime crime drama. Vicki Nelson (Christina Cox), a former police detective who's now an independent private investigator, begins investigating a shadowy murder when the victim's girlfriend (Gina Holden) shows up in Vicki's office claiming the death is the work of a vampire. When Vicki's life is later saved by a handsome dark-clad stranger (Kyle Schmid) who's doing his own detective work on the case, he introduces himself as Henry, a nearly 500-year-old vampire (and son of Henry VIII, no less) who's working to stop the demon committing the vicious murders. Tracking down supernatural evildoers not only suits the unlikely new team, it also sparks a romantic interest that doesn't escape the watchful eyes of Vicki's former boyfriend, Mike (Dylan Neal), whose presence on the police force ensures that his path frequently crosses hers.
Is It Any Good?
With Vicki's love life almost as mysterious as the centuries-old dark arts of vampires, Blood Ties is a surprisingly enjoyable blend of mysticism, suspense, and romantic tension. The series is fun for adults and teens, but strong violence, mature themes, and sexual content make it iffy for tweens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the supernatural. How plausible do witchcraft and dark arts seem to you? What kinds of theories or myths have you heard about them? What makes you believe or discount them? How has belief in mysticism been treated throughout history? Why is pop culture so fascinated by vampires, from books to movies and TV shows? Parents can also talk with their teens about personal safety. What precautions should you take if you're out after dark? How can you help make sure that you don't become a target of a crime? What would you do if you saw a crime in progress?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 11, 2007
- Cast: Christina Cox, Dylan Neal, Kyle Schmid
- Network: Lifetime Television
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: March 9, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Teen vampire series has female role model; sex, violence.
-
Supernatural
Terrifying guilty pleasure is iffy for sensitive teens.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate