Dynasty: The Murdochs is a 2026 American documentary limited series directed by Oscar-nominated, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus, with Sara Enright co-directing the final episode. The series falls into the biographical documentary genre with a heavy focus on power, politics, and family dysfunction. It is produced by Story Syndicate, the same production company behind Netflix’s record-breaking Harry & Meghan docuseries.
The series offers an unprecedented look at one of the world’s most powerful media families — the Murdochs — as patriarch Rupert Murdoch makes one final play to secure his legacy. Drawing from thousands of pages of never-before-seen documents, emails, and private text messages, the documentary exposes the intense behind-the-scenes battle for control of a global media empire worth billions.
The story centers on the deeply personal and political conflict between Rupert Murdoch and his four adult children: his chosen heir Lachlan, and the other three — James, Elisabeth, and Prudence — who were largely left out of the succession plan. As the family fractures, the series raises a haunting question: Is a dynasty a family or a business? For the Murdochs, the two have never been separate. The four-episode series, each approximately 60 minutes long, premieres exclusively on Netflix on March 13, 2026.
Dynasty: The Murdochs Age Rating
Dynasty: The Murdochs is officially rated TV-MA on Netflix, meaning it is intended for mature audiences and is generally not suitable for viewers under 17. The rating reflects strong language, emotionally intense family conflict, heavy political themes, and mature subject matter throughout all four episodes. While the series contains no physical violence or sexual content, the psychological weight of the narrative — including legal battles, alleged emotional manipulation, and deeply personal family breakdowns — makes it inappropriate for younger viewers.
Violence & Peril
There is no physical violence in Dynasty: The Murdochs. However, the series contains moments of significant emotional and psychological tension. Legal confrontations, accusations of manipulation within the family trust, and the depiction of a powerful patriarch allegedly pitting his children against one another create a consistently intense atmosphere. These scenes are not action-based but may feel deeply unsettling due to their real-world implications and the scale of the power involved.
Language
Strong language is present throughout the series. Characters and interview subjects use direct, occasionally harsh dialogue during moments of confrontation and commentary. Given the nature of the corporate and legal battles discussed, aggressive and blunt language appears in multiple episodes. The language is not gratuitous but reflects the intensity of the real-life situations being documented.
Mature Themes
The documentary explores deeply mature topics including family betrayal, greed, emotional manipulation, political influence, and the psychological toll of growing up in a powerful dynasty. The series examines how Rupert Murdoch allegedly raised his children not as a parent but as a businessman — grooming possible successors rather than nurturing emotional bonds. There are also significant discussions around media bias, election influence, and the real-world political consequences of one family’s control over global news outlets. The legal dispute over the family trust and the emotional fallout it caused are portrayed with unflinching detail. There is no sexual content, drug use, or graphic imagery.
Is Dynasty: The Murdochs Suitable for Teens?
Ages 13–15: No. The series deals with complex themes of corporate power, legal manipulation, and generational trauma that younger teens are unlikely to fully grasp. The emotional intensity and political depth may also feel confusing or overwhelming for this age group.
Ages 16–17: With Guidance. Older teens — especially those interested in media, politics, business, or social studies — may find this documentary both educational and engaging. However, the heavy emotional undertones and the depiction of a deeply fractured family dynamic warrant a conversation with parents beforehand.
Ages 18+: Yes. Adults will find Dynasty: The Murdochs to be a compelling and thought-provoking documentary. Its relevance to modern media, democracy, and family dynamics makes it essential viewing for anyone interested in how power shapes both business and personal relationships.
Overall, Dynasty: The Murdochs is best suited for adults and mature older teens who have an interest in political or investigative documentary content.
What Parents Can Do
- Watch the first episode with your teen to gauge their comfort level with the emotional and political intensity before continuing.
- Use the documentary as an opportunity to discuss how media ownership influences the news people consume and how that affects public opinion.
- Talk about the themes of family expectations and emotional pressure, especially how the Murdoch children navigated identity and belonging within such an extreme power structure.
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Dynasty: The Murdochs (2026)?
A: Dynasty: The Murdochs is officially rated TV-MA on Netflix for strong language, mature themes, and emotionally intense content.
Q: Is Dynasty: The Murdochs appropriate for kids?
A: No. The series is not suitable for children or younger teens due to its complex political themes, strong language, and heavy emotional content.
Q: Does Dynasty: The Murdochs contain violence? A:
There is no physical violence. However, the psychological and emotional conflicts depicted throughout the series are intense and may be disturbing for sensitive viewers.
Q: Is there any sexual content in Dynasty: The Murdochs?
A: No. The documentary contains no sexual content. The mature rating is driven by language, emotional intensity, and heavy thematic material.
Q: How many episodes does Dynasty: The Murdochs have?
A: The series consists of four episodes, each approximately 60 minutes long, all releasing on the same day — March 13, 2026.
Q: Where can I watch Dynasty: The Murdochs?
A: Dynasty: The Murdochs streams exclusively on Netflix beginning March 13, 2026.