Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Personalized picks at your fingertips

Get the mobile app on iOS and Android

Get the app
Parents' Guide to

Outnumbered

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Brit comedy about adventures of parenthood; some language.

TV BBC America Comedy 2011
Outnumbered 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 5 parent reviews

Kaspermul
Kaspermul Adult
May 21, 2021
age 12+

12 year olds should be able to watch

I personally think that my 12 year old son should be able to watch outnumbered and I think it's a great show for 12 and up
Xoxox
Xoxox Adult
March 9, 2021
age 12+

Hilarious

Hilariously highlights the ups and downs of parenthood in a mildly rude fashion. Would recommend.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

OUTNUMBERED is an award-winning British comedy about the trials and tribulations of a family with small children. The series stars Claire Skinner and Hugh Dennis as Sue and Pete, forty-something parents who are a little overwhelmed by their unruly children, 13-year-old Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey), 9-year-old Ben (Daniel Roche), and 7-year-old Karen (Ramona Marquez). Adding to the stress of raising their family is watching out for Sue's elderly father Frank (David Ryall), who is entering the early stages of dementia. Sue's sister Angela (Samantha Bond) also adds to the fray. Life is never dull for this gang, but they never stop being a close, loving family.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (18 ):

The series offers a humorous but thoughtful look into the world of parenting by filming it in a documentary style that allows the child actors to improvise what they say rather than following a written script.

Some viewers may be unaccustomed to the pace of the show, which moves slightly slower than than most American comedies. It also deals with some serious issues, like aging parents, bullying, racism, and learning disabilities. But despite all of this, it offers an intelligent and witty look at the imperfect world of middle class family life.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what being a family means. Is there such thing as a perfect family? Do families always have to be well-behaved? Get along? Why do families argue, even if they love each other?

  • What can we learn from programs from other countries? What kinds of things do you think people from other countries can learn from American shows? Do you think these lessons are accurate?

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