Parents' Guide to

Broadchurch

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Bloodless, gripping crime drama deals with child's murder.

TV BBC America Drama 2013
Broadchurch Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 17+

Based on 6 parent reviews

Paul J.
Paul J. Parent of 18-year-old
April 11, 2023
age 16+
Extremely entertaining drama for the first 2 seasons. Acting is awesome, stories are realistic and engaging. One of the best crime dramas ever.
hsalustro
hsalustro Adult
April 22, 2020
age 18+

A boring sermon

Episodes were too stretched out; could have made the story tighter; many subplots that had nothing to do with the main plot. Unbelievable in some instances; why was Ellie"s son so antagonist? why so many references to son's computer with no decisions? Ellie's sex scene was unrealistic-did not fit with her image. And why have the scenes with barrister and her son? Lent nothing to the plot. Finally, the 'embrace' between the two women barristers added nothing to the story. Could have been done in fewer installments; omit the sensationalism!
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When the body of an 11-year-old boy is found face-down on the beaches of BROADCHURCH, a quiet town on the English coast where murder is an anomaly, no one knows what to make of the crime. But as Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) work together to find the killer, the local residents' best-kept secrets begin bubbling to the surface.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6):
Kids say (10):

Inspired by series creator Chris Chibnall's longtime home on the Jurassic Coast, the fictional town of Broadchurch seems like the kind of place everyone would want to live. But when you learn that the town's first murder in recent memory is that of an 11-year-old boy, it suddenly isn't as idyllic as it seems. You're also effectively hooked, thanks to thoughtful pacing and an intriguing ensemble of characters who make for a high-quality whodunit.

The most refreshing aspect of Broadchurch for parents will be its reluctance to rely on overly graphic visuals -- a rare thing indeed for a modern crime drama -- which means it's relatively safe for older teens, too. Not that they'll definitely want to watch, but if they do, they'll be treated to a well-constructed series that proves you don't need bells and whistles to make an impression.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the fictional town of Broadchurch and how closely it resembles the places they live. Is murder as rare in your town as it is in Broadchurch? How would the people of your community react if a similar crime took place where you live?

  • Broadchurch was a critically acclaimed series in its native Britain. How well do you think it will play to American audiences? Does the fact that it's set in the UK make it more or less appealing?

  • How does Broadchurch's violent content compare to other crime series you've seen? Does a series have to be bloody and graphic to be gripping?

TV Details

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