Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Couple's relationship is groundbreaking, but jokes aren't.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Vicious
What's the Story?
Partners Freddie (Ian McKellen) and Stuart (Derek Jacobi) have been together for nearly 50 years, living in a shrouded London flat and largely keeping their relationship in the closet. But that doesn't stop them from being perfectly VICIOUS to one another, cracking jokes about their age and appearance with their vivacious best friend, Violet (Frances de la Tour), in spite of their mutual affection. But the group dynamic shifts when an attractive younger man (Iwan Rheon) moves in upstairs.
Is It Any Good?
Most of the talk about Vicious centers on the fact that its two main characters are aging gay men who've been together for nearly 50 years -- and that those two men are played by distinguished actors McKellen and Jacobi. That's very much worth talking about, considering that McKellen and Jacobi are bona fide stars portraying a dynamic that's rarely seen on television (and certainly not in a single-camera sitcom that's structured solely around the quirks of their relationship).
The thing is, Vicious isn't exactly comedically daring, often falling back on broad humor we've seen a thousand times in other series. And, although the seasoned leads add an element of class to Vicious' mildly funny barbs -- McKellen in particular​ proves to be a lovably self-centered louse -- the result isn't quite as compelling as you'd hope, given the pedigree.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Vicious' premise and whether it breaks new ground in television. How does it compare to other shows that center on gay characters?
What does Vicious have to say about the differences between being gay 50 years ago versus being gay now?
How might Vicious be different if it were created for an American audience? What makes it distinctly British, and is the humor transferrable?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 29, 2014
- Cast : Ian McKellen , Derek Jacobi , Iwan Rheon
- Network : PBS
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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