Kingdom (2014–2017) User Reviews (408)

Never have I seen such a great show be overlooked and underrated this way

[sapemillo_1997 · 9/10 · 25 November 2017]

I've seen Kingdom since his birth and I had watched it closely until its end. An end which emotionally devastated me.

The show submerges you into the world of mixed martial arts and the lives of those involved in a family business. from beginning to end it 's all about fighting the difficulties each character has on its way.

The characters are complexly built, and along with the performances it makes the entirety of the show an earthly exciting drama, empty of clichés and elements of soap operas. I highlight the characters because they level the each episode to an uncontrollably climax.

Since Kingdom is one of the best TV dramas I've ever watched, it comes as as surprise how is often overlooked or underrated.

Another poor decision in TVland..

[amyfleck · 9/10 · 12 September 2020]

This is one of those shows that truelly didnt last long enough. I mean wow, what a phenomenal group of actors! And I dont just mean their looks! Jonathon Tucker, whom I'd never even heard of, was amazing. I'll definitely be checking out some more stuff hes in. Even Nick Jonas did great work. Who knew boy banders actually had talent? It's a shame this show didnt get marketing it deserved (and obviously needed to survive). It blows me away some of the crap on tv that goes on season after boring season and shows like this get killed. Shame on you Hollywood, shame on you!

If you've missed this show then watch it now!

[thethinredline-29830 · 9/10 · 16 April 2019]

The expression Hidden Gem is somewhat over used, but in this case nothing could be more true....this is THE hidden gem. I have recommended this show to so many friends and family and each and every one have thanked me and passed on the recommendation. Now it's your turn! The quality of acting and the terrific storyline will keep you hooked from the start. Just watch it, you will see what I mean.

One of the most underrated shows of all-time!

[Rob1331 · 10/10 · 29 September 2022]

I don't even know if I can describe how much I loved Kingdom. It has quickly become one of my favorite shows of all-time. I wished it was longer than three seasons but those three seasons were brilliant! Once this show became available on Peacock (and Netflix before that) it found a huge audience and from what I can see most people loved it as much as I did. It's about the owner of mixed martial arts gym named Alvery Kulina (Frank Grillo). He's an ex MMA star who trains the next generation of MMA stars including his two sons Jay (Jonathan Tucker) and Nate (Nick Jonas) and another upcoming star named Ryan Wheeler (Matt Lauria). He struggles to keep his gym open and his athletes happy. The cast is incredible. I'm really having a hard time explaining just how good this show is. I'm just glad that I finally was able to watch this show because it's amazing!

Speedball!

[Br4ve-trave1or · 10/10 · 25 May 2019]

I hate reviewing my favorite TV series because I can never do it justice.

I just rewatched all three seasons for the third time and this time I was struck with sadness upon the conclusion. Of course because the series ended, but that's not really why. It's such a tragedy that this was on Direct TV and not a more available streaming platform or known cable channel. Because of this and the major lack of marketing, Kingdom never reached their intended viewers. While it did reach those of us who had our ear to the ground and found the glorious reviewa and heard all the rumbles raving the acting and explosive drama.

This is an inside out version of Friday Night Lights. A dark and gritty opposite. Filled with adrenaline and imploding violence ethat quenches the viewers thirst for a top tier series.

While Frank Grillo is phenomenal, I have to give it to Jonathan Tucker for his incredible portrayal of Jay. Episode afree episode, I felt the gut punches life threw these characters---and what amazing characters they're for all their imperfections.

This show is beyond an addicting binge watch. It's simply a masterpiece that just didn't have the right stage but due to loyal fans, a spotlighted searched it and found it.

If you're an avid TV watcher and feel proud to have seen TVs all-time best series, you've probably heard about this series, but I believe (with only 46 reviews!!!??) that they're a massive amount of people oblivious that a gem awaits them.

I sincerely hope someone is reading this that is interested in maybe watching this series. God bless you because this is the one show I would pick to watch over for the first time.

This series is an emotional head-on car wreck. It's an emotional speedball plain and simple. Sure, there's fighting in the cage, but this show is really about fighting outside the cage. Fighting something no one can see. Life and fate. Tragedy. Dont misconstrue me, like the Sopranos, this show really knows how to be funny ala Jonathan Tucker (justified and westworld).

Please, do yourself a HUGE favor, watch this show. Right out of the gate you will be hooked.

Con: it only lasted 3 seasons

Pro: It went out on top!

This show is what TV should be measured against and executed!!

Best show of this century, imo.

10/10

Amazing amazing amazing

[luke_hadfield · 10/10 · 23 September 2018]

I would go as far as saying this tv show is probably one of the best I've seen. Jonathan Tucker who plays Jay is brilliant. If your looking for a real life show then this is it.

Wow! Where was this?

[Supermanfan-13 · 10/10 · 2 July 2020]

Kingdom is one of the more underrated shows in years. It never really found a big audience because it was only available on DirectTV...until now. Netflix just picked it up and it's now available to a much bigger audience and people are loving it from what I can tell. Frank Grillo is perfect as the lead and overall the entire cast is excellent. I'm so glad that I finally was able to watch this show because it's amazing!

Amazing drama, flying under the radar

[rollexx · 10/10 · 20 November 2014]

I initially started watching Kingdom because I'm a huge fan of mixed martial arts, but the characters and story surrounding it really drew me in. I've been watching it for several episodes, and each one progressively gets better. Each character has their own unique personality and story, and I'm quite surprised at how developed and captivating each character is. There is no main character, and there are no heroes here, rather each person has skeletons in the closet. I can't believe there isn't more eyes on this show, because it really is a great drama. Feel like it is flying under the radar, and will become a cult classic after it is all said and done. There is an audience for this show, it just needs to get its name out there.

How had I not heard of this? FANTASTIC show!

[Sophie_KN_66615 · 10/10 · 23 July 2020]

I did a little research as to why this show was cancelled because it was so utterly brilliant I couldn't understand. It was something to do with politics and the show never receiving the airtime and advertising it should have so it was predestined to never hit the ratings (which is probably why I'd never heard of it until 2020 when Netflix added it). It's a real shame because this is truly one of the best shows I've ever seen.

Some really talented actors, every single person, from the main cast to side actors, all played their parts so well. There were some really gritty storylines behind the main MMA main premise of the show and each episode was better than the previous one.

I'm counting it as having has 4 seasons given that season 2 has 20 episodes whereas the others had 10 but I wish each season has 20 episodes it was that good.

Personally, I'm ok that it ended when it did because I don't think it would have been the same without Nate (plus Lisa moving on) but I do wish we'd gotten to see what happened to Ryan and who his new manager would be. And Alvey and the gym - who would manage it? Jay was my absolute favourite character (the actor who played him deserved numerous awards - what an array of acting skills he displayed throughout) and it would have been nice to know if he ever returned to the cage and for his daughter back. It would have been nice to have one more season tying up all these storylines and then the show could have ended like this.

The last episode had me in tears throughout, I don't think I've ever cried so much at a TV show. I'll really miss it - it was the first show in a long time to make me excited to watch it and think about it when not watching.

What a show!!!

[dcwqhavzk · 19 August 2021]

What a CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED show! How is this kit getting the recognition it deserves.

Spoiler Alert below

[ryanlcarlisle · 7/10 · 15 September 2020]

Loved S1 & S2 but S3 time jumped with zero explanation after leaving off at some serious life changing moments at the end of S2. The jumping around continues throughout S3 and even though you can follow along, it's annoying and seems rushed. Biggest killer for me was that you killed the ONLY good person in your entire show?! Come on! Sure it was emotion provoking and all but s u c k e d. And where was his BF on the beach?

Criminally overlooked

[biomag · 10/10 · 13 January 2021]

WHAT? How did this show go unnoticed for so long?! Great to see it's finally receiving the praise it deserves, the entire cast should be eligible for retroactive Emmy's and an apology letter from the viewing public. In a world of hammy, disposable TV this series went out on its own and quietly set the benchmark. An absolute masterpiece.

Straight alcoholics

[millerdadmatt · 7/10 · 11 August 2020]

This show is great however, not one person batts an eye about every character in the show being an alcoholic, I can't think of a single scene in the whole two seasons that are available on Netflix where there wasn't obsessive drinking involved.

What kills this series

[citichris · 4/10 · 18 July 2018]

The show is good, I mean good actors, it is fast, keeps you hooked for the next episode or season. Characters are ok, and all in all it works fine. Could be a great show, a 9 or a 10 but in my humble opinion what kills this series is the amount of whisky drinking and drug consuming the characters practice. Way beyond a cliche, overdone and even boring and unreal. Tell me this high competition fighters consume such amounts of cocaine and hard liquor in real life, they would not be the champions of the world or myths the series tries to portray. So overdone, it is both exhausting and pathetic. A shame they went into overload with this.

Most underrated TV series

[Br4ve-trave1or · 10/10 · 19 November 2015]

This is by far the most underrated show currently on TV AND up there with the most riveting. I absolutely love this show. It's addicting. I wish more people knew about this hidden gem it has all the elements that make a great drama. it is an MMA show but like walking dead it's not based purely on fighting. Frank Grillo is exceptional and nick Jonas, who knew can act and the true gem forgive me for not knowing his name but the older son who was on the last season of Justified is incredible. His range is great. As is the rest of the cast. The casting is the best. Maybe because this is from direct TV audience network it's reach is rather limited but the second season is just as good. Please you are making a terrible injustice to yourself by not watching this amazing series. I don't have direct TV and i watch it ; do your self a favor WATCH THIS GEM

Exceptional production and cast, equal a knock out punch.

[SergeMiles · 10/10 · 30 October 2014]

This is the best show on TV in my humble opinion. I've watched many a show as well. Next to this 'Peaky Blinders,' is the only current series which compares to the addictive nature and rawness of this series.

Regardless of if you are into MMA (mixed martial arts), Kingdom is significantly engaging on multiple levels. The acting is flawless, paired with the overall production, a show unlike any other is created. This show is polished raw energy and jumps off the screen to deliver a slice of cool adrenalin filled entertainment.

If you are into MMA, or combat sports in general this show is bang on. Throughout the series you can spot multiple UFC and other high end MMA stars. The show doesn't dumb it down for your average audience The fact is, that it doesn't need to, as the story line without focus on fighting alone, would deliver a great show. Add in the intensely brutal world of making it in MMA, and you have viewing gold.

The show is about relationships, and instead of any sugar coating it is fuelled by high end athletic endeavours, dealing with the roller coaster of the fight world, paired with the reality that life goes on win or lose.

Whether you're a fighter, a ballerina, or just want to zone out with something good, check out 'Kingdom,' you will not be disappointed.

Incredible Acting

[loganl-05522 · 10/10 · 20 September 2020]

Jonathan Tucker (Jay) is probably one of the best actors I've ever seen.

Left me heartbroken

[garymccann67 · 10/10 · 26 January 2021]

I was blown away with the finale of kingdom , never have I felt so emotional from a tv show , From start to finish it just got better and better, Don't read these reviews just get watching

One of the best shows I've ever seen

[onlyeesgirl · 10/10 · 20 January 2016]

My boyfriend and I love watching different shows and are always finding new ones to watch. He found this show randomly and we decided to try it. Overall, it is one of the best shows I've ever seen, if not the best, and there are only 2 seasons so far. Don't be fooled by the mma idea because you don't have to be interested in mma to love the show. You will fall in love with each and every character because they are so well developed. All the actors are incredibly good and fit their character perfectly. Each episode has some huge event that leaves you heartbroken or in awe and almost impossible not to watch another episode. It is crazy to me that this show isn't a huge hit but Breaking Bad is. I don't ever write reviews but this show was so good that I had to.

Surprisingly very, very good.

[samwamburi · 10/10 · 3 November 2014]

As an MMA fan, I thought I'd give this show a try and to be honest wasn't expecting much aside from the usual brutality which is stuff you'd get on Blackbelt TV or something, but hats off to the scripters for nailing this show spot on.

The choice of lead and support characters and their multi-layers, which continue to get deeper with each passing episode, plot and sub- plot..it is absolutely genius.

The simple premise on which the story is built and subsequent sub- stories and characters added on make the story telling angles just as juicy as the camera work and fighting scenes.

I'd love to see how far wide they can cast the story without losing the MMA base plot.

So far, excellent, RAW, watching. 9.5 out of 10 from me.

----------------------UPDATE---------------------------------------

having watched about 7 episodes now I can confidently say I await a 2nd season with baited breath. I usually hate giving off details that would ruin a first time watcher via the review so I'll keep it at that. The only close comparison I could draw with this is the movie "Warrior" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1291584/?ref_=nv_sr_1) which in a way tried to condense all the relational angles and fighting into 140min. Kingdom draws it out more, allowing the audience to identify with each characters'struggles, pain, triumph and emotions. The pure rawness and reality of the everyday struggles on fighting for relationships to work, making ends meet, pursuing your dream are captured all to well. And as someone said, you don't need to love MMA to relate to this.

Final verdict: 10/10

Great show apart from one thing

[demowil · 2 October 2020]

Really enjoy the story, the setting and characters except... Lisa. She is just miserable. Every scene she is in she is miserable. The rest of the cast are good.

Exhausting

[jimgigs · 6/10 · 11 August 2020]

Show is high octane to say the least. Tons of sex, fighting, excessive drug use and drinking. I could only watch 2-3 eps in a row before I got exhausted. Highly entertaining but a bit over the top, and tons of plot holes.

Feels Real

[Zubacz · 8/10 · 10 October 2014]

Review based on the pilot episode:

It's very easy with shows like this, to exaggerate certain aspects. Over-the-top characters being too positive, too negative, too macho or too weak. The scenery being too rich or too run down. The plot being too simple or too accidental. This show makes none of these mistakes.

From beginning to end it feels real. Imperfect characters, no clichés and realistic action create very enjoyable entertainment.

Casting seems spot on and acting is very good. Camera-work might seem shaky at times, but I did not feel like I missed anything because of it. The action sequences kept the pace up and were choreographed quite well. The strain, exhaustion and determination of the fighters is extremely well shown.

I look forward to the next episode. I gave it 8/10 because this show is focused around fighting and hence it might not be for everyone. If you enjoy boxing and mixed martial arts, it's a solid 9/10.

1 st season-brilliant...

[tchitouniaram · 7/10 · 19 March 2021]

1 st season-brilliant...Second-reasonably good, third is a disaster...Just drama and drama and drama...Family ,psychological, gay...I mean, where is the immersive addictiveness of the first season???Would be at least 8-9 stars...7 ,just for the first season...

Stereotypical rubbish

[chrismusicco · 1/10 · 2 July 2016]

I am a MMA fighter and long time Martial Arts practitioner so I gave this show a try. Why not?!

What they address in their story line is valid; MMA gym struggling, fighters trying to make it big, etc.. But the depth of the show is very stereotypical, maybe it applies for USA fighters and so maybe made for USA viewers. It does not apply to the rest of the world. I don't know anyone that is in "Martial Arts" fighting because they need a job and need to put food on their table. I do Martial Arts because that's my way of life, I love it, I live it. I have chased the fighter dream though, not to put food on my table but to challenge myself, test myself and make sure my skills work. So basically I can't relate to this garbage.

Anyways, not even that. This show is bland, the fight scenes have that shaky camera style that I find difficult to follow. I am trying to watch the fighting, enjoy the skills and all that but can't because the camera keeps cutting to irrelevant scenes. The fights are also the typical Hollywood sports movies; oh the guy is loosing but right at the end comes back with a win that he pulled out of his sheer heart, courage and strength. WOW!! USA, USA, USA!!!

Also the loser drug addict brother ex fighter is over the top and just ridiculous at times.

They've thrown in some nudes and sex scenes to spice the show up but it just makes it more poor taste.

Overall this is a very B grade show made for UFC fans that have zero Martial Arts knowledge. And the high reviews and scores are very much misleading (reason why I gave this show a try). Who in their right mind gives this a 10??? Come on!

I give it a 1 out of 10 because of the pretentious and ignorant approach to the world of combat sports in general.

But if you like it, by all means, watch it and enjoy it.

Peace