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Babylon

Babylon

2014Miniseries1 season7 episodes~50 min/epMidcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

London's police force is in need of a public image revamp. And Chief Constable Richard Miller has found just the woman to do it...American visionary from the world of new media Liz Garvey, sets out to revolutionise the force's PR department just as an outbreak of violence erupts.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Babylon?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Babylon streaming on Acorn TV via Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Highlights

What stands out about Babylon?

Babylon earns 2 badges, led by Preferred by Men and Preferred by Non-US Viewers.

Reception

Is Babylon worth watching?

Babylon's Midcredits score is the 51st percentile of all shows, from 2.6K ratings across 2 sources. 74% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

51st percentile

Better received than 51% of shows

48th percentile among Comedy49th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)44th
Approval (how many liked it)58th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

69 /100

44th percentile of all shows

44th percentile among Comedy43rd percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.2 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

74% liked it

58th percentile of all shows

51st percentile among Comedy56th percentile among 2010s
74% rated it 7–1026% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

68th percentile

2.6K ratings across platforms

53rd percentile among Comedy71st percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 19% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The show is a dark satire about the Metropolitan Police and media spin, with a shifting tone between comedy and drama.

Fans praised

  • Sharp satirical tone balancing comedy and drama
  • Strong performances especially Brit Marling and James Nesbitt
  • Evolving story that improves across episodes with layered character arcs

Detractors panned

  • Unbelievable characters and implausible situations
  • Incoherent tone between satire and drama
  • Lack of genuine humor or credible drama

What stands out

ActingDivisive78

Brit Marling and James Nesbitt praised as excellent; detractors call performances wasted on poor material

DialogueDivisive72

Clever and witty one-liners highlighted by fans; detractors see witless amateurish script

OriginalityDivisive68

Fresh take on police satire but rehashes familiar targets for critics

CharactersDivisive65

Nuanced and engaging for fans; detractors find them detestable, stereotypical, and unbelievable

HumorDivisive65

Biting and profane black comedy for fans; detractors do not find it funny

AtmosphereDivisive64

Dirty and hilarious tone with grounded satire praised; detractors find tone incoherent

PacingDivisive58

Slow start but improves across episodes; detractors find it too slow overall

Plot and storyDivisive55

Evolving story praised by fans as building; detractors cite ludicrous storylines and lack of coherence

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 21 points higher than women.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 15 points higher than US viewers.

Episodes

1 season

Miniseries · 2014 · 6 episodes

  • S1E1

    Cravenwood

    Nov 13, 201445 min
  • S1E2

    Maze Hill

    Nov 20, 201445 min
  • S1E3

    Thameside Centre

    Nov 27, 201448 min
  • S1E4

    Victoria Park

    Dec 4, 201447 min
  • S1E5

    Hackney Wick

    Dec 11, 201447 min
  • S1E6

    London

    Dec 18, 201449 minFinale

Watch experience

What is Babylon like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Ironic, serious and gentle — a slow-burn watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
AbsurdJoyful
Heaviest: early
Satirical humor
Register
Satirical · 5% of showsWry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Resets each episode · 10% of showsSingle-season story
ToneThe series holds its material at a knowing, ironic distance, satirizing police and media spin while still engaging with the human absurdity of the institution.
The rideThe show is light and chaotic, with absurd humour throughout. The middle or late seasons may have minor dramatic beats but the overall vibe is consistent.
StructureEpisodes follow a conventional setup, escalation, and resolution of a crisis, typical of a satirical workplace comedy with a self-contained incident each episode.
Episode formatThe synopsis suggests a workplace comedy with status quo restoration each episode, though a limited series run may imply a mild arc.
Season formatThe series concluded after one season, telling a complete story within that span.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingFun
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves you reflecting on the absurdities of police PR and media spin, while being entertained by the sharp dialogue and comic scenarios.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12% (this title): Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2% (this title)
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Comedy of manners: Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).

12% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe typical episode satirizes the clashes between police PR efforts, internal politics, and street-level chaos, following comedy-of-manners patterns of social codes and media spin.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% (this title) · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10% (this title): Community 25% (this title) · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Society

CommunityPower · 5% of showsIdentity
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores the bonds within a police force as a community and the power struggles that define their interactions.
StanceThe series satirises police bureaucracy and the community of officers, presenting power dynamics with a mocking tone.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score
SettingA modern police station in London
MusicThe score likely underscores the comedic and dramatic beats of the series.

Content guide

Is Babylon okay for kids?

As of August 29, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at moderate (44/100), language at intense (67/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (56/100) and frightening material at mild (17/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 16 other countries
  • UK18
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany18
  • France18
  • New Zealand16
  • South Korea15
  • Austria16
  • IndiaA
  • MexicoB
  • Poland16
  • RO15
  • SingaporeM18
  • South Africa16
  • Spain18
  • Switzerland16
  • Türkiye18+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (13 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Babylon have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Babylon?

Cast

Brit Marling
as Liz Garvey
Rising: A short career with a standing when this show came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bertie Carvel
as Finn Kirkwood
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Paterson Joseph
as Deputy Commissioner Charles Inglis
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Daniel Kaluuya
as Matt Coward
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jonny Sweet
as Supt. Tom Oliver
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Nicola Walker
as Assistant Commissioner Sharon Franklin
Andrew Brooke
as PC Neil 'Banjo' Bancroft
Nick Blood
as PC Warwick Collister
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Stuart Martin
as PC Tony Forbes
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jill Halfpenny
as PC Davina Lewis
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

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What are shows like Babylon?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Babylon include No Offence (2015), 21 Jump Street (1987) and Interior Chinatown (2024).

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