Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Grim antiheroes make addicting TV but terrible role models.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Misfits
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 25 kid reviews
Kids say this show is entertaining with a compelling plot and humorous characters, but it contains significant mature content, including frequent sexual references, swearing, and violence, making it more suitable for older teens. While many viewers appreciate the show's originality and character development, concerns about its appropriateness for younger audiences arise due to its explicit themes.
- humor
- mature content
- suitable for older teens
- strong language
- complex characters
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When a strange electrical storm strikes down five delinquent young people who've been sentenced to community service in a fictional London borough, they awake to discover that they have powers they don't fully understand. But the odd gifts that make them MISFITS might come in handy when evil forces attack their town.
Is It Any Good?
It's easy to see why Misfits pulled in a BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama in its native Britain; and, thanks to Hulu, it will undoubtedly expand its fan base here in the United States. Because in spite of what you might feel as a parent about the show's uncensored swearing and graphic sex, it's a genuinely gripping series with a compelling story, well-penned characters, and undeniable cinematic style. The only catch is, it's not for kids.
Of course, an American adaptation of Misfits is reportedly in the works at ABC (starring Emily Osment and Jason Earles of Hannah Montana fame, no less). But as it's set to air on network television, you can rest assured that the U.S. version will be an entirely different kind of show. Depending on the outcome, who knows? Older kids might even get to watch it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about traditional heroes (such as Superman) and antiheroes (such as X-Men's Wolverine) in popular media. What's the appeal of each type? Can an antihero still be heroic in spite of his or her imperfections?
How do British programs compare to American fare? If this series were to be adapted for American TV, what elements would have to change (especially in terms of language and sexual content)? Would toning down the show's graphic elements make it any less entertaining?
Does hearing so much unbleeped swearing dilute the impact of the iffy words? Are the show's writers pushing the envelope when it comes to language, or are the characters merely a reflection of the way real people talk?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 29, 2012
- Cast : Iwan Rheon , Lauren Socha , Nathan Stewart-Jarrett
- Network : Hulu
- Genre : Science Fiction
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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