Parents' Guide to

Low Winter Sun

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Dirty cop drama is dark and violent, with murky morals.

TV AMC Drama 2013
Low Winter Sun Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

Not a parent
Not a parent Adult
September 10, 2013
age 12+

Probably 12+

Doesn't deserve a 4 on language and probably not a 5 on violence. Also lower than 17+

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Soon after Detroit detectives Frank Agnew (Mark Strong) and Joe Geddes (Lennie James) off corrupt cop Brendan McCann (Michael McGrady), they're faced with a by-the-book internal affairs investigator (David Costabile) -- and the realization that they're both in for more than they bargained for. Meanwhile, a local crime lord (James Ransone) and his wife (Sprague Grayden) prepare to expand their criminal empire against the backdrop of a LOW WINTER SUN.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Based on a two-part British miniseries of the same name, Low Winter Sun drags viewers into Detroit's crumbling inner city -- complete with crime lords, desperate drug users, and feral dogs -- to witness one police officer's descent into murder and corruption. And it feels like a very long, dark hour indeed. Even the art direction and cinematography is dingy and drab, suggesting a grim world cloaked secrets and lies.

The ensemble is well-cast and believable, but most impressive is London-born leading man Strong, who's reprising the role he played in the original series, this time swapping his character's Scottish accent for an American one. Paired with the unpredictable James -- who's also a Brit -- he plays the series' dark themes for all they're worth, and makes wading through the muck feel weirdly rewarding.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Low Winter Sun portrays life in Detroit's inner city and whether the show's take on it is accurate. Are the story and characters particular to Detroit, or could they work in another urban setting? How do the crumbling city streets and the desperate people who walk them help enforce the show's major themes?

  • Does it surprise you that cops can be the "bad guys"? How do Frank and Joe measure up as role models -- and do they have any redeeming qualities?

  • Why are antiheroes in pop culture so appealing, from Mad Men's Don Draper to Breaking Bad's Walter White? What is it about these characters that keeps us watching?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended tv lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate