In the Dark

The show has a very diverse cast with prominent roles for marginalized groups. Murphy's roommate, Jess, is a plus-size lesbian and a main character. The cast also features several other queer characters, including Sterling and a female gang enforcer named Sam. The plot revolves around Tyson, a young Black teen whose murder is ignored by the police. While the lead blind character is played by a sighted actress, the show features actual blind actors in supporting roles. The heavy presence of LGBTQ+ characters adds notable weight to this score.

The dialogue occasionally touches on social issues, such as characters criticizing police apathy toward young Black men in Chicago, or discussing the struggles of living with a disability. However, these comments are brief and mostly fit into the ongoing crime mystery rather than feeling like preachy, activist lectures.

Same-sex relationships are highly prominent throughout all seasons, particularly Jess's love life and her various female partners. The show also explores themes of disability, but subverts typical tropes by making its blind lead a highly flawed, promiscuous, and chaotic person. These prominent queer subplots and disability themes are very visible to viewers and carry elevated weight.

The series heavily critiques law enforcement, depicting the Chicago police as corrupt, lazy, and vindictive. It also subverts traditional gender roles by centering on a highly abrasive, non-conformist female lead and featuring powerful female drug lords. These themes are prominent, but they are framed within a gritty crime thriller style rather than a direct systemic attack on society.

Not relevant. The series is an original creation rather than an adaptation of existing IP or historical events, so there are no changes to established canon.

The series did not attract major anti-woke backlash or culture war controversies. Mainstream complaints were centered on the highly depressing series finale and the actions of the main characters, while progressive groups complained about a sighted actress playing a blind role.

Creator Corinne Kingsbury and several executive producers have apolitical or standard commercial profiles. However, the track record score is slightly elevated because some individual episode writers and directors, like Kyra Sedgwick and Sarah Link, have strong backgrounds in progressive and LGBTQ+ advocacy.