Family movie night? There's an app for that
Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.
The Romanoffs
By Mark Dolan,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Language, dark themes pervade well-acted anthology series.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Romanoffs
Community Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Totally Predictable
What's the Story?
THE ROMANOFFS is an anthology series where each episode tells an stand-alone fictional story about a character who claims to be an descendant of the famously slain Russian royal family. The relationship characters have with that heritage varies -- to some it's incredibly important and defining, to others it's just a punchline. Each episode's actors vary but include Aaron Eckhart, Corey Stoll, Noah Wylie, and Mad Men's John Slattery and Christina Hendricks. Episodes also cover varied themes, but universal issues of infidelity, mortality, and procreation appear to be a running thread. Some characters reappear in later episodes, meaning that an overarching connection may reveal itself as the show progresses.
Is It Any Good?
Written and directed by the confident hand of Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, this series comes out of the gate with some strong (and long!) episodes. Like entries in a collection of loosely connected short stories, The Romanoffs is superbly acted by a solid lineup of talent. Narratively, these episodes tell small scale stories, with realistic stakes, that then speak to bigger more universal concerns and desires -- marriage, children, aging, personal fulfillment. And again, similar to the best short fiction these episodes skillfully tell a satisfying story in a lean, brisk fashion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about infidelity. How is it depicted in The Romanoffs? How does the show address the consequences of infidelity?
Families can talk about unsympathetic characters. Does a lead character always have to be likable? How does it change the way you connect with a story if the main character is hard to like or relate to?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 12, 2018
- Cast: Martha Keller , Aaron Eckhart , John Slattery , Corey Stoll , Janet Montgomery , Noah Wyle
- Network: Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
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.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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