Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gritty, violent crime drama explores racial tensions.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
City on a Hill
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
CITY ON A HILL is a dramatic series about race, class, and the criminal justice system in early 1990s Boston. Months after a high-profile murder case, during which the police knowingly arrested an innocent black man for the crime, racial tensions across the city are at an all-time high. It is within these circumstances that Jackie Rohr (Kevin Bacon), an uncouth but talented FBI agent, finds himself dealing with ADA Decourcy Ward (Aldis Hodge), a prosecutor known for his tough stance against unethical police officers. The two are immediately at odds but soon realize that they're better off working together.
Is It Any Good?
This gritty, well-written series is inspired by the real-life events following the murder of affluent tax attorney Carol Stuart in 1989, which intensified the existing racial tensions throughout the greater Boston area at that time. It highlights how these events challenged the existing culture within law enforcement, and the resistance to these changes. Each storyline, which ranges from marital and family dynamics to theft and murder, is set against this backdrop, highlighting the different and sometimes subtle ways the sociopolitical climate impacts each character. But while City on a Hill is set in the past, many of the discussions surrounding race, class, and police misconduct feel as relevant today as they were back then. Given the troubling subject matter, it's not always a comfortable series to watch, but it's always entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Carol Stuart case. How was it resolved? In what way did the media fuel the racial stereotyping that took place during the investigation?
What does City on a Hill tell us about the history of racism in Boston? Why is this socially relevant today?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 16, 2019
- Cast : Kevin Bacon , Aldis Hodge , Jill Hennessy
- Network : Showtime
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 31, 2022
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