Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Greed, infighting in real-life Succession-inspiring drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
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Where to Watch
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Dynasty: The Murdochs
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
DYNASTY: THE MURDOCHS traces the real-life succession battle within the Murdoch family, which served as the inspiration for the HBO series Succession. It follows Rupert Murdoch's rise from a newspaper man in Australia and England to the head of a massive conservative media conglomerate. The narrative explores his move into American politics, the sensationalist style of the New York Post, and the eventual creation of Fox News, all while his children compete to inherit the right to run the empire.
Is It Any Good?
A fascinating study of the American dynasty tradition, following the pattern where the third generation often sees the family's success begin to unravel. Dynasty: The Murdochs starts with a bang, showing how the HBO hit Succession, widely believed to be loosely based on the family, actually prompted the Murdoch children to write a memo to their father about who would be inheriting the empire. It's an engrossing tale of children raised with extreme privilege who were forced to compete for their father's attention, while simultaneously banding together against a society that largely hated him. With an engrossing mix of unbelievable family stories and political backroom deals, the narrative is expertly woven to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can discuss how Rupert Murdoch leaned into sensationalism to build his brand. Do you think a news company has a responsibility to be fair, or is their main job to give the audience what they want to see? How do sensational headlines attract attention, and how does that affect the way people understand the world?
The show mentions the "Dark Arts" used to stalk celebrities. Why do people feel they have a right to know the private details of famous people's lives? Discuss where the line should be between people's desire for information and public figures' right to privacy.
The children in this family were raised to compete for their father's approval and his company. How does that kind of competition change the way siblings feel about each other? Discuss whether a person can be a good leader if they were raised to see everyone, even family, as a rival.
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 13, 2026
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Family Stories ( Dads , Siblings )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 26, 2026
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