Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Irreverent, heart-filled British comedy about family fraud.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Can You Keep a Secret?
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? follows a man (Craig Roberts) in a small village whose life is upended by the discovery that his recently deceased father (Mark Heap) is actually alive and well. After his parents (mum is played by Dawn French) stumbled into an accidental insurance fraud scheme, and didn't see the need to find their way out, the family must navigate the absurdities of keeping the secret while dealing with the fallout in their close-knit community.
Is It Any Good?
A refreshingly original, and genuinely delightful, addition to the dark comedy genre. The quick-witted dialogue between family members in Can You Keep a Secret? is quintessentially British and delivered with perfect comedic timing; Dawn French especially shines as the overpowering matriarch of the family. What makes the show truly special, though, is that beneath the fraud and the quips, the village of characters are eccentrics with real hearts of gold that viewers will want to return to again and again.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families watching Can You Keep a Secret? can talk about the fact that even though the family is doing something illegal (insurance fraud), they are very generous with the money. Does being "good" to your neighbors make up for breaking the law?
Discuss why the village sees Quidfish as a neighbor to be protected while people in big cities often treat the unhoused as invisible or as problems to be solved. How does knowing someone's name and story changes our level of empathy and makes us more likely to offer help instead of judgment?
How does the show use humor to talk about serious things like death and chronic illness? Though illness and loss are heavy, how can humor act as a pressure valve that makes it easier for a family to stay connected and honest?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 12, 2026
- Cast : Dawn French , Craig Roberts
- Network : Paramount+
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : February 20, 2026
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