Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Emotional story talks death, lies; has innuendo, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
MaryLand
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
MARYLAND is a dramatic series about two sisters who reconnect while discovering their late mother's double life. Thinking that her mother was in Wales, Becca (Suranne Jones) is confused and upset when she receives a call from the authorities from the Isle of Man informing her that her mother was found dead on the beach. She reaches out to her estranged sister Rosalind (Eve Best), who lives in London, and they both fly to the isle to identify her body and take her back to their father (George Costigan) for burial. They soon learn that their mother owned a home on the island, and spent time with close friends like Pete (Hugh Quarshie) and an American named Cathy (Stockard Channing), who sells pot and pharmaceuticals to the seniors living on the island. As they try to make sense of her isle life, and why they were never told about it, Becca and Rosalind work out some of their unresolved issues, while confirming that they genuinely love each other.
Is It Any Good?
The three-part British mini-series offers an emotional and in-depth examination of the relationship between two sisters who need each other to help cope with and grieve the loss of their mother, and everything they knew about her. Despite their individual struggles and personal differences, it's easy to pick up on how profoundly the MaryLand sisters care for one another, and watching them come to terms with this as they navigate their new reality is gratifying. Unfortunately, their backstories, and those of some of the colorful people who surround them, like drug peddler Cathy and sarcastic taxi driver Jacob (played by Dean Lennox Kelly) are also interesting, but aren't fully fleshed out. While this may be an effort to keep the central focus on the sisters, or due to a sheer lack of time given the overall length of the series, you're still left with the desire to learn more about them, and with no way to do so.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about lying. It's important to be an honest person, but is there ever a time when lying to someone is the right choice to make?
How would MaryLand have been different if it had been produced as a longer series? Would it have made a difference in the primary story it tells?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 5, 2024
- Cast : Suranne Jones , Eve Best , Stockard Channing
- Network : PBS
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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