Parents' Guide to

Granite Flats

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Suspenseful Cold War drama solid pick for the whole family.

TV Netflix Drama 2015
Granite Flats Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 4 parent reviews

5kids78
5kids78 Adult
January 6, 2020
age 8+

Family show

Any age can sit and watch, definitely PG rated, but younger kids won't necessarily grasp the references to the cold war era. 3rd season has a few more mature story lines, but not harmful, suggestive towards infidelity, still a great family series.

This title has:

Great messages
Joe T.
Joe T. Parent
November 26, 2017
age 12+

Mysteries for older kids

This show is supposed to be for little kids. But the story is way too mature for those younger than 10. There is talk of suicide and someone shoots and kills another person. Little kids won't understand the cold war backstory and the hunt of communists by the FBI. The show is full of stereotypes. The mom is depicted as a stay at home housewife who is subservient to her husband. Several people use the label negro. It's a good opportunity to discuss with your children what's changed between then and now.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Set in the early 1960s, GRANITE FLATS follows various members of a small-town community in Colorado through tumultuous Cold War years. The story opens with the arrival of Beth Milligan (Annie Tedesco), a recently widowed nurse who relocated to Granite Flats with her son, Arthur (Jonathan Morgan Heit), after her husband was killed on military duty. Arthur quickly befriends Timmy (Charlie Plummer) and Madeline (Malia Tyler), with whom he teams up to investigate strange goings-on around town and the nearby army base. With the commies always threatening and uncertainty lurking around many people's true political allegiance, there are more questions to be found than answers in this otherwise sleepy town. As the series progresses, friends will turn against friends and secrets will be revealed that could rock Granite Flats to its core.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (6):

Granite Flats marks BYUtv's successful foray into scripted programming, offering captivating drama that's entirely free of the edgy content that usually pervades this type of series. There's no strong language, no suggestion of sexuality, and very little violence. What it does display are strong family values, complex scenarios, and intriguing characters whose true natures are revealed only a little bit at a time. The story also is riddled with secrets, giving viewers ample reason to keep coming back for more.

Even though Granite Flats' content puts it into the "family-friendly" category, it's not suitable for all members of your family. The story deals with some pretty weighty issues, including the loss of a loved one, the threat of nuclear attack, and many people leading double lives. These aren't the kinds of topics your younger kids will either understand or appreciate, but if you're looking for something with some depth to watch with your tweens and teens, Granite Flats is one to try.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what the show suggests about life during the Cold War era. Were enemies easily identifiable? What kinds of attacks were expected? How is this different from the current political climate?

  • How are women portrayed in this series? Why do some have jobs outside the home and some don't? Do any question their roles? What strides has our society made toward gender equality? Is there more to do?

  • Does this series prove that good drama can exist without edgy content such as sex and language? Do you think we'll ever see a trend toward less of it in mainstream entertainment? Why, or why not?

TV Details

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