Parents' Guide to

Slings and Arrows

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Forsooth! Smart, mature comedy goes backstage.

TV Sundance Channel Comedy 2003
Slings and Arrows Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 14+

Based on 1 parent review

jackjess
jackjess Parent
April 14, 2017
age 14+

fantastic!

Great actors playing both Shakespeare and the drama of their "normal lives". I love how the series weaves the two together. The main character's brilliance and mental instability make for a very likeable character. Alas, only 3 seasons.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

SLINGS and ARROWS, a witty, sophisticated Canadian ensemble comedy, stars Geoffrey Tennant (Paul Gross) as a gifted but somewhat emotionally imbalanced stage actor who proudly holds on to his belief in the artistry of the theater and refuses to sell out to corporate sponsors. When former friend/washed-out actor Oliver Welles (Stephen Ouimette) -- creative director for the declining New Burbage Festival of Shakespearean Theatre -- is killed, Geoffrey agrees to take over his position in hopes of reviving it. Once he's there, Geoffrey finds himself confronting former girlfriend/aging festival diva Ellen Fanshaw (Martha Burns), dueling with eccentric director/former college nemesis Darren Nichols (Don McKellar), and fighting the corporate pressures presented by festival general manager Curtis Smith-Jones (Mark McKinney). Geoffrey's life is further complicated when Oliver begins to visit him from the grave, serving as his artistic conscience. The lives of the festival's actors, which include young ingénue Kate McNab (Rachel McAdams), action-movie-hunk-turned-stage-actor Jack Crew (Luke Kirby), and no-talent hacks like Claire Donner (Sabrina Grdevich), are interwoven with the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolds as the group attempts to bring Shakespeare to life in a way that's both inspiring and financially successful.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

This brilliantly written series is modeled after a Shakespearean play, mixing irony and drama while weaving multiple storylines together -- each of the show's seasons is divided into six episodes or "acts," and its title is taken from Act I, Scene 3 of Hamlet. This makes Slings and Arrows an intelligent combination of irony and art that celebrates a love for the theater while simultaneously poking fun at those who are a part of that culture. In between the humor are moments that demonstrate the true beauty of Shakespeare and the talent that goes into performing his works. But its strong language and sexual content make it decidedly adult-oriented.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the tension that exists between theater as an art and as a business. Do you have to compromise your artistic vision in order to have the money to perform? What do you think the life of a regular working actor is like? What's the appeal of theatrical life? Families can also talk about the works of William Shakespeare. Even though his works are centuries old, why do people still read and perform them today? How have Shakespeare's works been made interesting and relevant to contemporary audiences? Can you think of any modern movies based on Shakespeare's plays?

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.

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