Parents' Guide to

The Bletchley Circle

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Dark murder mystery features smart women.

TV PBS Drama 2012
The Bletchley Circle Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 16+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 16+

Interesting but with some disturbing moments

A few disturbing scenes of sexual violence...most graphic moments are offscreen. 1st episode has drawing of nude woman shown briefly.
age 17+

Trauma trigger: Dialog and some scenes reference necrophilia and rape

I believe this show is mis-rated at TV-14. I think it's actually a very good show, but the there are some intense scenes dealing with rape or necrophilia that shouldn't be viewed by anyone that isn't old enough to deal with the intensity associated with sexual assault depiction. There are a few scenes that would definitely be trauma triggers for anyone that has been a victim of sexual assault. Again, it's actually great story-telling and there are a lot of great things about the show, but it should be viewed by a mature mind who can deal with violence that is a little too-close-to-real sometimes.

This title has:

Great role models
Too much sex

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3):
Kids say: Not yet rated

There's a thrilling moment in the first episode of The Bletchley Circle in which Susan assembles a crime-fighting team like she's putting together a vintage British all-female Justice League. Lucy's got an photographic memory, Susan's good with patterns, Millie handles maps, and Jean's a rough-and-tumble black marketeer who knows how to get secret official information. Yeah, Bletchley Circle! Wonder Twins power, activate!

Yet the Circle's crime-fighting team spends more time poring through railroad timetables and cross-referencing maps than chasing criminals over rooftops, so the action might be a little slow for those who like their serial killer dramas to be bam-bam-bam! The Bletchley Circle is more akin to an old Sherlock Holmes mystery than a modern crime drama, with plenty of plot twists and deductive leaps of logic; Agatha Christie appreciators should take note. Fans of lushly styled period shows like Mad Men will also enjoy the show's vintage details, from old school hats and hairstyles to plot points involving food rationing coupons and newspapers tucked under a commuter's arm.

TV Details

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