Gracepoint
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Gracepoint
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Gracepoint (a near carbon-copy remake of the British series Broadchurch) centers on the mysterious death of a 12-year-old boy in a small seaside town. Iffy content includes illegal drug-dealing and infidelity, but the series is surprisingly bloodless in spite of its subject matter. Language is limited to terms such as "son of a bitch" and "ass," and sexual innuendo is slight. Some teen characters smoke cigarettes.
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What's the Story?
The quaint seaside town of GRACEPOINT gets its first murder investigation when the body of 12-year-old Danny Solano is discovered on the beach in an apparent suicide that reveals itself to be far more sinister. Detective Ellie Miller (Anna Gunn) is determined to solve the crime and bring the Solano family much-needed peace. But her process is hampered by the arrival of Detective Emmett Carver (David Tennant), a brusque and brooding outsider with demons of his own.
Is It Any Good?
David Tennant's having a serious case of déjà vu in this series, a near carbon-copy remake of Broadchurch, the critically acclaimed crime drama he starred in last year in Britain. Not just because the basic plot and setting are the same -- aside from transplanting the action to a seaside town in Northern California -- but because Tennant is playing the exact same character. The only difference is, he has a different name and an American accent.
This isn't the first time an actor from another country has been asked to put an American spin on a TV role he's already done (see also: Low Winter Sun). But it's something you don't see a lot -- and maybe there's good reason for that. After all, the first few episodes of Gracepoint are so eerily similar to Broadchurch that you have to wonder what the point was in remaking it. It's still great television, but for our money the original was fine the way it was.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Gracepoint's surprising lack of blood and gore, considering the subject matter. How does the show's violent content compare to other crime series you've seen? Does a series have to be graphic to be gripping?
In what ways does Gracepoint differ from Broadchurch, the British series it's based on? In what ways is it similar? What changes were made to tailor the story to American audiences -- and were they even necessary?
How heavily do technology, the media, and social networking affect crime-solving, particularly when it comes to high-profile cases? Does Gracepoint portray their influence in a realistic way?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 2, 2014
- Cast: David Tennant, Anna Gunn, Michael Pena
- Network: Fox
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: March 18, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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Broadchurch
Bloodless, gripping crime drama deals with child's murder.
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The Killing
Gripping crime drama takes place in grimly realistic world.
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Top of the Lake
Cinematic mystery series explores sex, violence, and sorrow.
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