TV Show review
October 19, 2023 · TV-MA · Ended
Woke Score
Lower is better
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Bodies.
Woke representation / casting
Prominent leads include a hijab-wearing Muslim mixed-race woman detective in 2023, a Jewish detective in 1941, and a closeted gay detective in 1890; creator explicitly prioritized lived experiences for outsider roles, making diversity audience-visible though mostly era-appropriate.
Woke political dialogue
Occasional period-specific references to antisemitism, homophobia, and a modern far-right rally, but no explicit modern activist speeches or institutional critiques.
Identity-driven story themes
Outsider status due to sexuality, religion, ethnicity, and background forms a recurring motif across detectives' personal arcs, with LGBTQ+ elements in the 1890 storyline adding notable weight, though these elements support the conspiracy mystery rather than drive activist messaging.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Shows historical discrimination and a dystopian future junta, plus a present-day far-right scene, but presents them as timeline-specific without broad modern anti-Western or systemic framing.
Review
Bodies is a British sci-fi mystery miniseries that follows four detectives investigating the same naked murder victim found on a London street in 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. The cases connect through a time-spanning conspiracy involving a cult-like group and a central figure who manipulates history toward a dystopian future. Audience-visible diversity stands out through lead detectives including a hijab-wearing mixed-race Muslim woman in 2023 who polices a far-right rally, a Jewish detective facing antisemitism in 1941, and a closeted gay detective in 1890 whose sexuality creates personal and professional conflict.
Woke character or canon changes
Adaptation stays faithful to the graphic novel's diverse archetypes without ideological swaps or alterations to established source material.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
No significant right-leaning criticism accusing the series of pushing woke, DEI, or identity politics; reception centered on story and execution.
Creator track record context
Paul Tomalin highlighted diversity and lived-experience casting; co-writer Danusia Samal has an identity- and activism-focused body of theatre work; remaining key crew show no strong activist patterns.
Production
