17 TV Shows with the Most Realistic Portrayals of Grief

Television has the unique ability to explore the complexities of loss over an extended period. Characters navigate the nonlinear process of mourning in ways that resonate deeply with audiences seeking comfort or understanding. These narratives often move beyond simple sadness to depict the anger and confusion that accompany a major life change. Writers and actors collaborate to ground these emotions in reality rather than melodrama. The following series offer some of the most authentic depictions of bereavement on the small screen.

‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)

The Fisher family runs a funeral home and constantly confronts mortality while dealing with their own personal losses. Each episode begins with a death that sets the thematic tone for the interactions between the main characters. Nate and David struggle to maintain the family business after the sudden death of their father. The series explores how grief evolves over time and becomes a permanent part of the human experience. It remains a benchmark for how television handles the subject of death.

‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

The world grapples with the sudden disappearance of two percent of the global population in an event known as the Sudden Departure. Kevin Garvey tries to maintain order in his community while his own family fractures under the strain of the unknown. Characters join cults or engage in reckless behavior as they attempt to find meaning in a senseless tragedy. The show depicts the collective trauma of a society that cannot move forward without answers. It is a stark examination of ambiguous loss and existential dread.

‘Fleabag’ (2016–2019)

A young woman navigates life in London while coping with the suicide of her best friend and the death of her mother. She uses humor and breaking the fourth wall as a defense mechanism to avoid processing her deep pain. The narrative slowly peels back layers of guilt to reveal the raw vulnerability beneath her witty exterior. Her journey illustrates how grief can manifest as self-destructive behavior and deflection. The series captures the loneliness of mourning even when surrounded by others.

‘Dead to Me’ (2019–2022)

Jen Harding joins a grief support group after her husband is killed in a hit-and-run accident. She forms an unlikely friendship with Judy Hale who harbors a dark secret regarding the death of Jen’s husband. The series balances dark comedy with the intense anger and confusion that often follow a sudden loss. It highlights the importance of female friendship in navigating the treacherous waters of widowhood. The evolving dynamic between the leads showcases the messy reality of healing.

‘WandaVision’ (2021)

Wanda Maximoff creates an idyllic sitcom reality to escape the crushing pain of losing her partner Vision. She holds an entire town hostage within her magical construct to avoid facing the permanence of death. The story serves as an allegory for the stages of grief including denial and bargaining. Wanda eventually must accept her loss to free the people she has unintentionally trapped in her trauma. It visualizes the comforting yet dangerous retreat into nostalgia during times of sorrow.

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)

The Crain siblings grow up dealing with the psychological aftermath of living in a haunted house where their mother died. Each sibling represents a different reaction to trauma ranging from addiction to rigid control. The supernatural elements serve as metaphors for the ghosts of the past that continue to haunt the living. The show emphasizes that ignoring grief only gives it more power over family dynamics. It combines horror tropes with a deep exploration of broken family bonds.

‘After Life’ (2019–2022)

Tony Johnson decides to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he wants after his wife dies of cancer. He struggles to find a reason to keep living while watching old videos of his late partner to remember her kindness. The people around him refuse to give up on him despite his abrasive behavior. The series depicts the slow process of finding hope again through small acts of connection. It acknowledges that recovery is not a straight line but a series of setbacks and small victories.

‘This Is Us’ (2016–2022)

The Pearson family navigates decades of life while centered around the tragic death of the patriarch Jack. The non-linear storytelling shows how a single loss ripples through generations and affects major life decisions. Kate and Kevin and Randall each carry specific emotional burdens related to how their father died. The show demonstrates that grief is not a straight line but a cycle that resurfaces during various milestones. It provides a comprehensive look at how a family unit reconfigures itself after a tragedy.

‘Sorry for Your Loss’ (2018–2019)

Leigh Shaw moves back in with her mother and sister after the unexpected death of her husband. She struggles to reconcile the man she loved with the secrets he kept before his passing. The show focuses on the messy and unglamorous reality of being a young widow. It explores the disruption of life plans and the difficulty of relating to others who have not experienced similar pain. The series is notable for its grounded and quiet approach to storytelling.

‘The Bear’ (2022)

Carmy Berzatto returns home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop after his brother commits suicide. He channels his unaddressed emotions into the high-stress environment of a professional kitchen. The chaotic editing mirrors the internal turmoil of a character trying to outrun his feelings. The series illustrates how work can become a distraction from the necessary work of healing. Carmy eventually learns that he cannot fix a broken system without fixing himself first.

‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014–2020)

An anthropomorphic horse deals with addiction and depression while mourning the loss of former co-stars and family members. The animated format allows for surreal explorations of the internal void left by death. BoJack often pushes people away to avoid the vulnerability required to process his grief. The show is praised for its unflinching look at intergenerational trauma and the difficulty of breaking toxic cycles. It treats the mental health of its characters with surprising depth and sincerity.

‘Pose’ (2018–2021)

The LGBTQ community in New York City faces the devastation of the HIV and AIDS epidemic during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Characters attend endless funerals for friends and lovers while fighting for survival and recognition. The ballroom scene becomes a place of refuge and celebration amidst constant tragedy. The series honors the resilience of a marginalized community dealing with mass casualty and systemic neglect. It portrays the specific grief of losing an entire generation of peers.

‘Broadchurch’ (2013–2017)

A small coastal town unravels after the murder of a young boy forces the community to confront its secrets. The Latimer family struggles to function under the glare of media attention and a police investigation. Detectives Miller and Hardy navigate their own personal issues while trying to solve the case. The show captures the suffocating atmosphere of shared grief in a close-knit environment. It examines how suspicion and blame can fracture relationships during a crisis.

‘Go On’ (2012–2013)

Ryan King joins a mandatory support group after losing his wife but initially refuses to take the process seriously. He tries to rush his recovery so he can return to his job as a sports talk radio host. The diverse members of the group eventually break down his defenses through their own shared experiences. It highlights the reluctance men often feel toward therapy and emotional vulnerability. The sitcom format allows for levity while addressing the awkwardness of group therapy.

‘Kidding’ (2018–2020)

Jeff Piccirillo plays a beloved children’s television host who struggles to maintain his sanity after the death of his son. His kind public persona fractures as he attempts to express his rage and sorrow in a world that demands he stay happy. The visual style reflects the dissonance between his internal suffering and his colorful external reality. The narrative questions how we explain death to children and how adults fail to follow their own advice. It is a surreal examination of the pressure to maintain appearances.

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

Detective Mare Sheehan investigates a murder while struggling to cope with the suicide of her son. Her refusal to process her grief leads to strained relationships with her daughter and grandson. The dreary atmospheric setting mirrors the emotional weight carried by the protagonist. The series shows how unresolved trauma can impede professional judgment and personal growth. Mare must eventually confront her own history to solve the crime and heal her family.

‘Shrinking’ (2023)

Jimmy Laird is a therapist who starts breaking the rules and telling his clients exactly what he thinks while grieving his wife. His unconventional methods create chaos but also lead to breakthroughs for himself and his patients. He relies on his colleagues and his neighbor to help raise his teenage daughter. The show balances the heaviness of loss with the absurdity of human behavior in crisis. It emphasizes the necessity of community support when professional boundaries blur.

Tell us which of these shows resonated most with your own experiences in the comments.