Philly D.A.
  • Network: PBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 20, 2021
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10

Critic Reviews

  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Kathryn VanArendonk
    Apr 19, 2021
    100
    The only TV series I’ve seen that actually feels like watching another season of The Wire. ... The show should also be viewed as a model for an entire genre of documentary storytelling. So often, a docuseries has to navigate between the individuals it focuses on and a larger system it’s trying to depict. ... Philly D.A. is a beautiful, sprawling story that does justice to both the giant organizations and the many individuals caught inside them.
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    Apr 22, 2021
    90
    It’s as captivating, timely and relevant a legal drama as you’re likely to watch this spring.
  3. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Jun 22, 2021
    80
    Transcending the directorial workmanship and production values, however, is the simple sight of unfashionable – which is to say good, ideologically informed but practically executed – work being done on behalf of the disfranchised, the powerless, the underserved. It is deeply thrilling to watch. An unfamiliar feeling stirs, and rises higher with each episode. The feeling is hope.
  5. Time
    Reviewed by: Judy Berman
    Apr 20, 2021
    80
    Essential, remarkably balanced vérité-style account of [Larry Krasner's] unlikely tenure as the city’s district attorney. ... Packed as it is with details that will surely be invaluable to policy makers, activists and academics, the series is bound to feel a bit long, at eight hours, to the casual viewer. Episodes tend to focus on single issues, and the most effective of them are structured around an individual person with a relevant story.
  6. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Feb 3, 2021
    80
    Those first two episodes mark an extraordinarily promising start for the series, which boasts impressive access to Larry Krasner's Philadelphia district attorney's office and a nuanced approach that works hard to give this specific situation universal ripples.
  7. Variety
    Reviewed by: Kiko Martinez
    Feb 3, 2021
    80
    It is still unclear whether the docuseries can act as some sort of bridge to find common ground on divisive issues or if it will include decisions made by Krasner over the last three years that some say have led to the deaths of local police officers and residents. The first two episodes of “Philly D.A.” are compelling.
  8. The Playlist
    Reviewed by: Kevin Jagernauth
    Feb 3, 2021
    75
    Admirably complex and captivating eight-part series.