Ghostwriter
Ghostwriter is a children's mystery and fantasy television series that premiered on Apple TV+ in 2019, serving as a revival of the classic 1992 PBS series. The show centers around a diverse group of middle school students who discover a mysterious ghost haunting a neighborhood bookstore. This enigmatic entity communicates by rearranging words and bringing fictional literary characters to life, inadvertently creating a series of interconnected mysteries for the children to solve. Across its three seasons, the series emphasizes themes of reading, teamwork, critical thinking, and empathy, as the young protagonists work together to understand the ghost's unfinished business and help the displaced characters return to their stories. It is generally aimed at elementary and middle school-aged children, providing an educational yet engaging narrative.
Concerns
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThe series' core premise is supernatural, involving a ghost and the manifestation of literary characters. It also features elements like magical objects and folklore figures. However, these are presented within a fantasy, mystery, and educational context, rather than depicting dark magic, rituals, or demonic forces.
The titular 'Ghostwriter' is a mysterious entity that communicates through written messages and brings fictional characters to life from books. In Season 2's 'The Ghostly Paintbrush,' the power to bring paintings to life is attributed to a 'magical paintbrush' from a folktale. Additionally, in Season 3's 'The Eloquent Ghost on the Bayou,' the children receive aid from 'Mami Wata,' a water spirit/goddess from West African folklore. These elements are integral to the plot's fantasy nature.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowThe 2019 series does not feature explicit LGBTQ characters or relationships in its core plot or character development. While it includes 'gender-flipped' versions of classic characters, this is presented as a diverse reinterpretation of literary figures rather than a direct exploration of LGBTQ identity or themes for original characters.
In Season 2, episodes like 'The Case of the Missing Ghost' feature 'gender-flipped versions of Sherlock and Watson' who appear at the bookstore to assist the children. This demonstrates diverse casting choices for reimagined characters. No other instances of LGBTQ representation in character arcs or themes were identified across the series. Searches for explicit LGBTQ content returned zero results directly pertaining to the series' original characters or plotlines.
Violence
LowThe series is consistently described as 'Lighter and Softer' compared to its 1992 predecessor, prioritizing intellectual mystery and character-driven problem-solving over physical conflict. Any instances of peril or tension are mild and non-graphic, designed to be age-appropriate without causing distress.
The primary conflicts involve solving clues to return literary characters to their books, as seen when characters like the Mad Hatter or White Rabbit 'run amok' in a whimsical, non-threatening way in 'Ghost in Wonderland'. The show focuses on teamwork to 'solve this mystery' rather than violent confrontations. There are no depictions of gore, intense physical attacks, or lethal weapon use.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe 2019 Ghostwriter series contains no significant romantic or sexual content. The relationships depicted among the main child characters are strictly platonic, focusing on friendship, collaboration, and mutual support in their mystery-solving endeavors.
The narrative emphasizes the development of friendships as the children 'become friends and learn to work as a team' to handle Ghostwriter's messages. There are no kissing scenes, implied sexual activity, or suggestive language among any characters. The focus remains on the intellectual and adventurous aspects of their quest, without any romantic subplots involving the young protagonists.
Profanity
LowThe series maintains a very clean language standard, consistent with its target audience of elementary and middle school children. No instances of profanity, swear words, or strong language have been reported in reviews or content descriptors.
The dialogue throughout the series is family-friendly and free of offensive terms. For example, in typical exchanges, characters use phrases like 'something creepy is going on' or 'horrifying' to express concern, rather than expletives. There are no instances of mild curse words such as 'damn,' 'hell,' or 'crap' in the show's script or character dialogue.
Substance Use
LowThe 2019 Apple TV+ series does not depict or reference any substance use, including alcohol, drugs, or smoking. Its content is carefully curated to be appropriate for its young target demographic.
There are no scenes showing characters consuming alcoholic beverages, using illicit drugs, or smoking. The narrative avoids these themes entirely, focusing instead on age-appropriate adventures. (It is notable that the original 1992 'Ghostwriter' series included a storyline where the character Alex was offered marijuana by a teammate in the episode 'What's Up With Alex?'. This distinction highlights the clean content of the 2019 revival).
Scary & Intense Content
LowWhile the presence of a 'ghost' and mysterious events might imply scary content, the 2019 series handles these elements in a generally gentle and non-frightening manner. Any suspense or mild tension is quickly resolved, keeping the tone light and suitable for children.
The show is described as 'Spooky, but Adorable,' with elements like 'chairs moving on their own, storybooks coming to life, and words appearing out of nowhere' that are not intended to genuinely scare the young audience. An example from 'Ghost in Wonderland' notes that while 'falling is usually kind of scary,' Alice's fall 'was a very long slow floaty fall alice was actually quite comfortable.' This demonstrates a softened approach to potentially intense situations.
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowThe series generally promotes positive social behaviors such as cooperation, respect, and responsibility. While characters may face personal challenges or minor conflicts, these are typically resolved with lessons learned, and outright, sustained disrespect or rebellion against authority figures is not a central theme.
In Season 3, the character Samir 'feels guilty about lying to his family so he can spend more time with his friends,' indicating a conscience and an eventual return to respectful behavior rather than outright defiance. Similarly, the primary characters like Ruben and Chevon often learn to work through their initial competitive feelings or insecurities, fostering teamwork rather than rebellious attitudes.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe 2019 series does not present anti-Christian themes. Its narrative focuses on promoting literacy and collaborative problem-solving through fantasy elements and diverse literary adaptations, without engaging with or critiquing specific religious doctrines.
The show draws its fantastical elements from classic and contemporary literature, including stories like 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and folklore figures such as Mami Wata, without incorporating any religious instruction or anti-religious sentiment. The themes explored, such as friendship, empathy, and the power of storytelling, are universally positive and do not conflict with Christian values.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
7+ (Seven years and older). This recommendation is based on the series' genre as a children's mystery and fantasy, its focus on educational themes like literacy and problem-solving, and its generally mild content across all concerns. Reviewers suggest it is suitable for ages 8 and up, but due to its 'spooky but adorable' elements, a slightly earlier introduction could be appropriate for children comfortable with mild supernatural themes.
Additional Notes
The 2019 'Ghostwriter' series is a modern reboot that notably tones down any potentially objectionable content found in the original 1992 PBS series, such as the discussion of marijuana use. The overall production maintains a focus on positive educational messages and diverse representation through its reimagined literary characters and cast.
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