Common Sense Media Review
Suspenseful political crime show is smart but violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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Bodyguard
What's the Story?
BODYGUARD follows heroic London police sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden) as he gets promoted to a security detail protecting British Home Secretary Julia Montague, an ambitious, pro-military politician. As a recovering victim of PTSD from his time in Afghanistan, Budd vehemently disagrees with Montague's politics, but he's sworn by duty to protect her. As her extreme anti-terrorism agenda raises her public profile, Montague becomes a target for assassination. But are her most dangerous enemies actually inside her own government? And is Budd's investigation more about covering his tracks than uncovering the culprits responsible for targeting his boss?
Is It Any Good?
Smart, tense, and full of twists, this series rewards attentive viewers with a dense mystery that doesn't insult their intelligence. In fact, its use of British police acronyms and government jargon (consider looking up the word "kompromat" before watching) will challenge even the most astute among the audience. That being said, this series keeps the suspense cranked up and is never dull, ponderous, or pretentious. In a television landscape peppered with increasingly dumbed-down crime shows, Bodyguard stands apart from the field by being serious without being solemn, political but not preachy, and surprising while never resorting to preposterous plot twists or illogical character motivations. It's riveting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Budd's personal conflicts in Bodyguard and the tension between duty and belief. What are some other occupations where that kind of conflict could exist?
Why do you think so many TV shows are set within complicated political regimes? What's interesting about the world of politics?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 23, 2018
- Cast : Richard Madden , Keeley Hawes , Sophie Rundle
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Award : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner
- Last updated : September 27, 2022
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