Parents' Guide to

Law & Order: UK

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Classic L&O stories -- with a British twist.

TV BBC America Drama 2009
Law & Order: UK 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 1 parent review

CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
August 17, 2012
age 10+

Law and Order UK is not heinous.

Law and Order UK is actually the best series of Law and Order in terms of maturity in that kids 10 and up can see it instead of other Law and Order series.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

LAW & ORDER: UK is a British adaptation of the popular, same-named American series. Jamie Bamber and Bradley Walsh star as Matt Devlin and Ronnie Brooks, detective superintendents who investigate homicides throughout London and its suburbs under the direction of Detective Inspector Natalie Chandler (Harriet Walter). Once they catch a suspect, the case is turned over to Senior Crown Prosecutor James Steel (Ben Daniels) and Junior C.P. Alesha Phillips (Freema Agyeman). Crown Prosecution Service Director George Castle (Bill Patterson) acts as their legal conscience as they work to build and win their cases.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (3 ):

This plot-driven series takes the same two-part approach as its stateside counterpart, which allows viewers to follow the complicated relationship between the investigation and prosecution of a homicide case. Each episode is a remake of an American L&O script that has been modified to fit the British legal system and to reflect the UK's diverse cultural dynamics. Despite these changes, the show manages to maintain the same gritty storytelling style the franchise is known for.

The show's focus on the Crown -- as well as the differences between American and British courtrooms -- marks some of the differences that U.S. viewers will see when they tune in. But these variations don't make the show hard to follow. In fact, it actually makes the series more interesting. Fans of good crime dramas definitely won't disappointed, and L&O fans will enjoy seeing how their favorite episodes have been given a British twist.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the British legal system. What are some of the differences between it and the American legal system? Similarities?

  • Did you know that the majority of police in the United Kingdom don't carry guns? Why is this the case? How does that impact the way the stories are told on this show?

  • Is the show's violence necessary to its storylines? What kind of impact does it have on viewers?

TV Details

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