Parents' Guide to

NYC 22

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Violent procedural's rookie cops are strong, diverse bunch.

TV CBS Drama 2012
NYC 22 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Executive produced by Robert De Niro, NYC 22 centers on the lives of six rookie police officers patrolling Manhattan's 22nd Precinct, following their day-to-day dealings on the streets. The newbies include Ray "Lazarus" Harper (Adam Goldberg), a former reporter who still relies on his sources; Jennifer "White House" Perry (Leelee Sobieski), a leggy athlete and former Marine MP; Ahmad Kahn (Tom Reed), an Afghani native who fought his way to the States; Jayson "Jackpot" Toney (Harold "House" Moore), a former pro basketball player who blew his potential; Tonya Sanchez (Judy Marte), a rebellious risk-taker who's shaking crime from her family tree; and Kenny McClaren (Stark Sands), a young cop who hails from a long line of police officers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Previously titled The 2-2 -- say it out loud, and you'll see why the network changed it -- NYC 22 boasts a big-name executive producer in De Niro and also bears the influence of Richard Price, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter who penned several episodes of the critically acclaimed crime drama The Wire. Given those elements, you'd expect big things, but this procedural mostly plays out as average entertainment.

One of NYC 22's most glaring problems is the impossibly diverse cast, who are saddled with clumsy cliches and two-dimensional details. And while Goldberg and Marte, in particular, mostly manage to rise above them, other ensemble members don't fare nearly as well. The result is a show about big-city crime that doesn't feel quite real enough.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way that cops are portrayed in the media -- from TV shows to video games -- and how that affects how we see them in real life. Does NYC 22 show the police in a positive or negative light? How does society view law enforcement in general?

  • Does the level of violence on NYC 22 reflect reality, or has it been amped up for entertainment purposes? Is this series more or less violent than other shows centered on law enforcement?

  • Would you consider the main characters positive role models, even though they aren't perfect? What are their best and worst qualities? Does their level of diversity feel real or forced?

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