Based on 2 seasons, 20 episodes · through February 5, 2020
Tell Me a Story is a dark psychological thriller series that updates classic fairy tales in a modern city setting. The stories show characters dealing with crime, murder, and dark secrets. The show features a very diverse cast and subverts original fairy tale roles. It has an openly gay main character and a strong female lead who works as a tough ex-soldier to protect her family.
Why 65%? See the score breakdownBreakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Tell Me a Story.
Woke representation / casting
Features a highly diverse cast that modernizes classic fairy tales. Season 1 transforms Hansel and Gretel into Hispanic siblings, including Gabe, an openly gay male lead. Season 2 continues this trend by casting Black actors for the Cinderella and Beast roles. Having a main gay character adds a lot of weight here.
58%
Woke political dialogue
The show mostly avoids direct social justice lecturing or political debates. The dialogue focuses on thriller elements, suspense, and personal drama. There are only very minor references to modern slang or social issues.
5%
Production
Identity-driven story themes
Changes traditional fairy tales to fit modern ideas. The Hansel and Gretel story has a tough female war veteran protecting her weak gay brother. Cinderella's story focuses on a Black woman fighting her stepfamily. The show also focuses on a gay man's lifestyle and relationship struggles.
45%
Western institutional / cultural critique
Portrays traditional male authority and roles as bad. The male characters are often shown as weak, drug-addicted, corrupt, or dangerous stalkers. The female leads must act as independent protectors and survivors to save themselves and others.
38%
Woke character or canon changes
Changes classic European fairy tales by changing the races, sexualities, and gender roles of the original characters. Hansel and Gretel become a Hispanic ex-soldier sister and her gay brother, while Cinderella and the Beast are played by Black actors.
48%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Backlash was very mild because the show was on a niche streaming service. A few viewers online complained about unlikable characters, like a drug-addicted gay lead who gets a pass for bad behavior, but there were no major campaigns against the show.
15%
Creator track record context
Showrunner Kevin Williamson has a score of 37 and often puts gay themes in his thrillers. The team also has diverse members like producer Michael Lohmann (65) and director Millicent Shelton (46), though many episodic writers have no activist history.
32%
