Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
British crime drama is too violent for most teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
British drama ULTIMATE FORCE follows the counterterrorism efforts of an elite group of soldiers within the Special Air Service (SAS) -- the British equivalent of the Navy Seals. The series centers on a handful of team members known as the Red Troop. They're led by tough Henno Garvie (Ross Kemp), whose passion for the job is an inspiration to the men who serve under him. For troops like Ricky Mann (Danny Sapani) and Jem Poynton (Elliot Cowan), Garvie's intensity is something to live up to, but for new recruits Alex Leonard (Heroes' Sendhil Ramamurthy) and Jamie Dow (Jamie Draven), their superior's scrutiny can be daunting. In each episode, the men of Red Troop put their lives on the line as they fearlessly barge into life-threatening situations to take down the bad guys. Whether it's intercepting terrorist hijackers or dealing with a hostage crisis, these soldiers are the last line of defense against the world's worst criminals. Using their sharply honed infiltration skills, they descend on the crime scene to diffuse volatile situations of all kinds.
Is It Any Good?
Intense and remarkably violent, Ultimate Force is designed to appeal to action fans, and for adults who fall in that category, it could be an entertaining choice (though some may find its pacing a bit slow compared to its American counterparts). But its tendency to show extreme, close-up violence makes it questionable even for older teens. The soldiers rely heavily on firepower to subdue criminals and even kill those who are already unarmed.
Not only are graphic shoot-'em-ups shown at close range (complete with blood spurting from gunshot wounds and splattering around the victims), the soldiers often seem proud of their kills. And even scenes without direct physical violence are influenced by its presence -- as when Garvie schools his new recruits on the most efficient placement of a bullet to kill a victim with one shot.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in the media. Do you think graphic violence is ever appropriate on TV? Why or why not? Do you think kids who watch violence on TV or in movies or video games are more likely to become violent themselves? (Get a few facts on the issue here.) Parents, talk with your kids about the difference between real life and fantasy. Point out that consequences exist.
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 16, 2002
- Cast : Jamie Draven , Ross Kemp , Sendhil Ramamurthy
- Network : BBC America
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 12, 2025
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