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Kingdom

Kingdom

2007–2009Ended3 seasons18 episodes~60 min/epMidcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

Looks can be deceiving. Peter Kingdom seems to have everything — a man of some standing in the seaside town of Market Shipborough, he dresses well and has all the trappings of success. Why, then, does he wander along the beach and stare out to sea for hours at a time? Despite Peter's thriving legal practice, he must deal with his dysfunctional family (which includes his unstable sister) and his grief over his missing half-brother and law partner, Simon.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Kingdom?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Kingdom streaming on Prime Video, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Kingdom?

Kingdom earns 2 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Preferred by Women.

Reception

Is Kingdom worth watching?

Kingdom's Midcredits score is the 82nd percentile of all shows, from 3.3K ratings across 2 sources. 86% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

82nd percentile

Better received than 82% of shows

80th percentile among Comedy77th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)74th
Approval (how many liked it)85th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

76 /100

74th percentile of all shows

75th percentile among Comedy67th percentile among 2000s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

86% liked it

85th percentile of all shows

82nd percentile among Comedy81st percentile among 2000s
86% rated it 7–1014% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

75th percentile

3.3K ratings across platforms

62nd percentile among Comedy69th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 22 days to Oct 26Up 15% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The show is a gentle, quaint, small-town comedy-drama built around Stephen Fry's likable central performance.

Fans praised

  • Stephen Fry radiates warmth and soul in the title role
  • charming, feel-good mix of gentle comedy and small-town eccentricity
  • beautiful Norfolk scenery and lush production values

Detractors panned

  • the sister character is grating and overused
  • stories are trite, predictable, and feel dated in style and tone
  • overly quaint and slow-paced, lacking real tension or substance

What stands out

ActingDivisive81

Stephen Fry's performance is universally praised as charismatic and soulful; some supporting actors (sister, sidekick) draw mixed reactions

CinematographyDivisive72

Aerial shots of Norfolk coastline and lush countryside praised; some call the overall look dated

AtmosphereDivisive70

Creates a warm, cozy, small-town world; detractors see it as saccharine and dated

Dialogue67

Some witty lines and gentle humor; quotability is moderate

HumorDivisive64

Gentle, witty comedy lands with fans; detractors find it mild or stale

CharactersDivisive56

Eccentric villagers and main cast are charming to fans but detractors find the sister insufferable and sidekick derivative

Plot and storyDivisive50

Stories are light, conventional, and resolved conveniently; both camps note lack of narrative ambition

Originality33

Painted as a formulaic, paint-by-numbers British cosy drama derivative of earlier series

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 10 points higher than men.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is Kingdom like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and gentle — a slow-burn watch that leaves you feeling good.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
WarmBittersweet
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmWry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Case of the week plus an arcOne continuous story
ToneThe show plays its gentle, quirky material mostly straight with a warm-hearted, sincere affection for its characters, despite occasional wry humor.
The rideThe series maintains a consistently gentle, affectionate mood, with occasional melancholy from the family drama.
StructureThe show follows a typical serialized three-act structure across episodes, with no notable nonlinear or frame devices beyond the ongoing mystery arc.
Episode formatEach episode presents a self-contained legal case (the eccentric client of the week) threaded on a season-long mystery arc about the missing half-brother.
Season formatThe show runs three seasons with the same cast and setting, continuing the central relationship and the mystery across all seasons.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Feel-goodWistful · 6% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayViewers are left with a warm, feel-good impression tempered by a wistful longing for more, due to the incomplete story.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet 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

with Mystery underneath

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

Why this archetypeThe series follows a solicitor handling eccentric clients, suggesting a loose comedy-of-manners frame; the underlying mystery of the missing half-brother gives a secondary mystery arch.

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% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · 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

CommunityFamily bonds
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe show explores community ties in a small Norfolk town and the protagonist's fraught family bonds.
StanceThe show celebrates community and the bonds that hold a small town together, treating the eccentric characters with affection.

The world

ContemporarySmall townRuralRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score
Settinga small Norfolk market town
MusicA swelling, hymnlike theme accompanies aerial shots of the Norfolk coastline.

Content guide

Is Kingdom okay for kids?

As of October 5, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at moderate (40/100), language at minimal (8/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at minimal (8/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 7 other countries
  • UK12
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Brazil14
  • NetherlandsAL
  • Spain13
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Profanity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (4 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (20 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 Kingdom have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Kingdom?

Cast

Stephen Fry
as Peter Kingdom
Karl Davies
as Lyle Anderson
Celia Imrie
as Gloria Millington
Tony Slattery
as Sidney Snell
Hermione Norris
as Beatrice Kingdom
Phyllida Law
as Aunt Auriel
Gerard Horan
as D.C. Yelland
Tom Fisher
as Ted
Dominic Mafham
as Simon Kingdom
Maryann Turner
as Mrs. Thing

More like this

What are shows like Kingdom?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Kingdom include Fairly Legal (2011), JAG (1995) and Burden of Truth (2018).

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What other shows share a tag with Kingdom?

277 other shows share the rarest tag below, follows: lawyer. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.