After a long wait, The Couple Next Door has finally arrived on STARZ. Now you’ll need to know if this is something to watch once the kids have gone to bed or not.
The new series is a psychological thriller starring Sam Heughan and Eleanor Tomlinson. It opens with gunshots and the possibility of someone being murdered, which certainly sets the tone of things to expect. The trailer also makes it clear that there is some sexy drama to come, so what does this mean for the suitability for the kids?
We’ve watched the first episode of The Couple Next Door, giving us a great look at whether this is suitable for the kids or not.
The Couple Next Door age rating: Explaining the TV-MA rating
This new series is officially rated TV-MA. That means it’s aimed at those 18 and above. However, it is worth noting that in the UK, it’s rated 15. The UK offers that middle-ground age rating, similar to parts of Canada, where the show is rated 16.
Let’s take a look at the breakdown to see why the show is rated the way it is based on the first episode.
Sex & nudity: There are some sexy scenes in the first episode. Just after moving into their new home, we see Evie and Pete connect in a romantic way. However, nothing is shown on screen in this. We are left with a lot for the imagination. It’s later on in the episode where we get some more adult content in the kitchen.
There is a scene where one of the couples are spending time together on the couch. It’s clear that they start to have some adult fun, but the camera cuts away before anything gets started.
Violence & gore: The series opens with the sound of a gunshot and Evie running through the woods in just her nightwear and bare feet. Pete, Danny, and Becka are also running through the woods. There isn’t much gore shown, but it’s clear that there is more to this that we’ll build up to in the season.
Language: There is swearing throughout the series. Keep in mind that this is a British series, which can often mean words used that we wouldn’t hear in North America. “B****r” and “bloody” are common words used, and they do have stronger connotations in the UK than they do in the U.S.
The F-bomb is dropped on a couple of instances. This is sure to get worse throughout the series, as there are reports of words used that are derogatory to women, including “s**t” and “w***e.”
Alcohol & drugs: There are multiple occasions of the characters drinking wine and beer together. There is also some mild drug use. Two of the characters share a joint during a BBQ.
Overall verdict: Who is The Couple Next Door appropriate for?
This is not a series aimed at children, but some older teens may be okay with the content. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that this is just the first episode, and it is relatively heavy in terms of language and nudity. This wouldn't be something I'd be comfortable letting teens watch, but we all have our limits as parents.
There are a lot of topics that will bring up questions throughout the series. In the first episode, there are discussions of miscarriages and shady work. We know based on the trailer that there are topics of affairs and stalking. This may be something you should watch yourself before considering watching it around the kids so you get a full idea.
The Couple Next Door is available to stream on Fridays on STARZ.