 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Whitechapel
- BBC America
- Genre: Drama
Common Sense Media says
Dark, bloody, but excellent British crime drama.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this British police thriller depicts a grotesquely violent serial killer and the graphic results of his crime spree. Though there is not a great deal of actual violence depicted, the products of violence -- blood, gore, and occasional close-ups of wounds -- are very much in evidence. The show's atmosphere is powerful, as is its imagery; while there is craft in how this story is told, it is most appropriate for older teens and adults.
What's the story?
As WHITECHAPEL opens, London police detective Joseph Chandler (Rupert Penry-Jones) is on a fast track to maneuver through the politics of the agency and occupy a high-profile job. All he has to do is lead a single murder investigation. That investigation becomes a gruesome battle against a brilliant serial killer who is attempting to emulate the work of Jack the Ripper from 120 years before. With the help of fellow detective Miles (Phil Davis) and eccentric "Ripperologist" Edward Bunchan (Steve Pemberton), Chandler must stop the murders before the killer finishes what the Ripper began.
Is it any good?
There's an atmosphere and thoughtfulness in modern British drama television that is often absent from U.S. series. While an hour-long cop drama based on the Jack the Ripper murders might seem highly exploitative and sensational from a U.S.-based creative team, the same concept as handled by the Brits on Whitechapel is full of spooky shadows and artful glimpses of gory doings.
The characters on Whitechapel draw in the viewer as well, pairing street-level gritty detectives with an academy-polished and ambitious cop and a quirky Ripper expert who brings an irreplaceable expertise to the investigation. It's compelling to watch these disparate men clash and collaborate, even as the suspense level quickly ratchets up with the pursuit of the Ripper copycat. Perhaps best of all, Whitechapel is designed as a short-form drama, with each storyline lasting only three hour-long episodes. This means you can enjoy a high quality and compelling series without investing 22 hours of your valuable time.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the show's violence. Is it disturbing to see so much graphic detail? Would the drama be as effective without so much graphic imagery?
What did you learn about the Jack the Ripper murders from this series? What are some other ways you can learn more about this historical character?
How do you think this show would have been handled differently in the United States? What distinguishes British television from its U.S. counterpart?
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | BBC America |
| Cast: | Phil Davis, Rupert Penry-Jones, Steve Pemberton |
| Genre: | Drama |
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