Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark period murder mystery goes beyond stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Shardlake
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Based on the novels by C.J. Sansom, SHARDLAKE is a period whodunnit series set in 16th Century Tudor England. A year after Anne Boleyn's execution, King Henry VIII continues his campaign against the Catholic Church, and Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean) is overseeing the dissolution of monasteries around England. But there is resistance to their efforts, and when one of Cromwell's commissioners is killed at a remote monastery in Scarnsea, he orders English barrister Matthew Shardlake (Arthur Hughes), known both for his smarts and severe scoliosis, to investigate the murder and close the monastery down with the help of the cocky Jack Barak (Anthony Boyle). The monks, headed up by Abbot Fabian (Babou Ceesay), are immediately suspicious, but the duo finds kindness in a maid named Alice (Ruby Ashbourne Serkis). As they begin to find clues, terrible things begin to happen, and soon Shardlake begins to wonder if it's an inside job.
Is It Any Good?
The dark and moody series offers viewers a compelling murder mystery while staying true to the religious politics of the Tudor era. Arthur Hughes, who in real life has radial dysplasia in one arm, offers a three-dimensional interpretation of Matthew Shardlake in which the character's physical differences only play a small role. As a result, the focus is on the story, which is shrouded in political politics that underscore the power of those who are in King Henry VIII's good graces, like Thomas Cromwell and Thomas Howard, the 3rd duke of Norfolk (played by Peter Firth). Granted, like many shows of this genre, you have to pay attention to details, but that's part of the fun. Overall, if you like murder mysteries, Shardlake is smart, well-performed, and quite entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the representation of people with disabilities in media. What stereotypes have been historically used to identify or portray people with severe scoliosis?
At what point in Shardlake did you think you knew who was responsible for the commissioner's death? Why? Were you correct?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 1, 2024
- Cast : Arthur Hughes , Anthony Boyle , Ruby Ashbourne Serkis
- Network : Disney+
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , History
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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