Lost In Space: finally, a TV thriller you can watch with your kids

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TV may have come of age in recent years. It may have matured, 'grown up' - and brought with it a lofty onslaught of complex, heavyweight and impressive dramas.

But while Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, and Altered Carbon might be all well and good for adults, high-profile, big-budget television shows that the whole family can enjoy are in shorter supply.

Fantasy, sci-fi and superhero dramas have become as violent, foul-mouthed and sex-packed as gritty crime sagas on the small screen. The divide between shows for kids, and shows parents watch when their kids are safely tucked up in bed, is growing.

But Lost In Space on Netflix is hoping to bridge that gap. And it's a major new thriller for all the family.

A spirited sci-fi adventure

On paper, Lost In Space has all the credentials you'd expect from a high-profile new TV drama.

This new version of the story of an elite family stranded among the stars has a heavyweight cast, and the production values, effects and cinematography aspire to big screen standards.

Several episodes, including the opener, are directed by Neil Marshall - known for films such as The Descent, and his acclaimed work on the Game of Thrones battle episodes 'Blackwater' and 'Watchers On The Wall'.

However, it is also a highly spirited space adventure with plenty of pluck, a loving, loyal family at its centre, and a distinct lack of blood, bad language and nudity.

The temptation must have been strong to go down the 'gritty remake' avenue. But the Robinson clan are not re-imagined as an edgy collection of brooding teenagers, and alcohol-soaked parents battling their demons.

Instead, Lost In Space stays true to the spirit of the original, campy '60s TV show, while thoroughly updating it for the modern age.