Mare of Easttown
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.
Suggest an Update
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 Mare of Easttown is a murder mystery drama set in a small Philadelphia suburb. In addition to the local detective, Mare (Kate Winslet), the show focuses on the victim of the crime and its effect on the surrounding community. Mare is depicted as a compassionate police officer who chooses to help people in the community. Violence occurs throughout the series, including gun violence, murder, assault by choking, sexual abuse, kidnapping, suicide by hanging, attempted suicide with a gun, and a child (pre-teen) beating another child with a cafeteria tray. The murder victim's body is shown with a bloody wound and her bare breast exposed. Sexual relationships are used as plot points throughout the series, including adults having sexual relationships with teenagers and sexual abuse by a catholic priest. Prostitution appears in some episodes, and young women in bathing suits or underwear are shown in suggestive poses. The people Easttown drink a lot of alcohol, often to the point of drunkenness; many scenes take place in bars. Mare takes sleeping pills and vapes. Several characters are drug abusers. Heroin, pills, and methamphetamines are discussed. One character dies of an overdose and is discovered with a needle sticking out of his arm. Mare of Easttown appears to be part of a wave of mystery shows like Denmark's The Investigation that focus on the lives of the victims rather than the killers. Despite the grim content and tone, messages include the importance of communty, and characters demonstrate compassion and loyalty.
Community Reviews
Shame about the language
Report this review
Good for 15+.
Report this review
What's the Story?
MARE OF EASTTOWN takes place in a small Philadelphia suburb, where Mare (Kate Winslet) is a local detective. Though the unsolved disappearance of a teenager haunts both her and the town, Mare typically spends her days chasing down petty criminals, most of whom she knows personally. When a young mother is brutally killed, Mare must root out the murderer within her small community.
Is It Any Good?
Kate Winslet may be the star, but it's the ensemble here that makes her new murder mystery series stand out from those that are pure logic puzzles or that focus strictly on killers or detectives. Before turning into a full-blown whodunnit, Mare of Easttown takes its time getting to know the town of Easttown and its inhabitants. It's interested in characters over pure plot. And, though Winslet's Mare is obviously at the center of the action, the town is made up of a sprawling cast of richly defined characters. Twists and turns inevitably come, but the depiction of Easttown itself (from Winslet's accent on down) is what makes the show work.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why murders are such a common element of drama. What is it about murder that's compelling for an audience?
Where is Easttown, and what is the community like? How does Mare fit in there? How does the setting affect the story?
How did the violence in Mare of Easttown affect you? What's the impact of media violence on kids?"
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 18, 2021
- Cast: Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce, Jean Smart
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Compassion
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Awards: Emmy, Golden Globe
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
Character Strengths
Find more tv shows that help kids build character.
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