15 Best TV Shows That Explored Grief in a Profound and Realistic Way

Grief is a universal experience, messy and raw, and some TV shows capture it with unflinching honesty. These series go beyond tears, diving into how loss reshapes lives, relationships, and identities in ways that feel painfully real.

I’ve picked 15 shows that stand out for their deep, authentic portrayal of grief, ranked by their emotional impact. From quiet dramas to genre-bending tales, they show the many faces of mourning, making us feel seen and understood.

15. ‘The Leftovers’ (2014-2017) – Sudden Disappearance

In ‘The Leftovers’, created by Damon Lindelof, a mysterious event vanishes 2% of the world’s population, leaving survivors like Nora Durst, played by Carrie Coon, grappling with loss. The show’s eerie tone blends supernatural mystery with raw sorrow.

Each character’s unique mourning process, from denial to cults, feels achingly human. Its haunting visuals and music, like Max Richter’s score, make grief a tangible force.

14. ‘Parenthood’ (2010-2015) – Family Bonds

‘Parenthood’, from Jason Katims, follows the Braverman family through life’s highs and lows, with grief woven into their tight-knit dynamic. Monica Potter’s Kristina faces cancer, while others mourn lost dreams or loved ones.

The show’s warm, messy realism captures how families carry grief together. Its heartfelt conversations and quiet moments hit hard, making loss feel universal.

13. ‘Rectify’ (2013-2016) – After Prison

Ray McKinnon’s ‘Rectify’ centers on Daniel Holden, played by Aden Young, freed after 19 years on death row. His family grieves lost time, while Daniel mourns his stolen youth in a small Southern town.

The show’s slow, poetic pace lets pain breathe, with every glance carrying weight. Its tender exploration of healing and guilt is deeply moving.

12. ‘Halt and Catch Fire’ (2014-2017) – Tech Dreams

‘Halt and Catch Fire’, created by Christopher Cantwell and Christopher C. Rogers, tracks tech pioneers like Joe MacMillan, played by Lee Pace. Grief emerges in failed ventures, broken ties, and personal losses amid the 1980s tech boom.

The show’s sharp writing and evolving characters show how grief fuels ambition or despair. Its quiet moments of regret linger long after.

11. ‘The Affair’ (2014-2019) – Infidelity’s Fallout

In ‘The Affair’, created by Sarah Treem, a tragic loss shatters families already torn by infidelity, with Dominic West’s Noah and Maura Tierney’s Helen at the core. The show’s shifting perspectives reveal how grief fractures truth.

Its raw performances and nonlinear storytelling make mourning feel chaotic yet real. The series captures how loss lingers in every choice.

10. ‘Deadwood’ (2004-2006) – Frontier Loss

David Milch’s ‘Deadwood’ is a gritty Western where death is common, but grief hits hard, like when Al Swearengen, played by Ian McShane, mourns a friend. The town’s harsh setting makes vulnerability rare and powerful.

The show’s poetic dialogue and rugged bonds show how grief shapes community. Its unflinching look at death feels timeless.

9. ‘Your Honor’ (2020-2023) – Moral Collapse

In ‘Your Honor’, Bryan Cranston’s judge, Michael Desiato, spirals after his son’s role in a fatal accident. Created by Peter Moffat, the legal thriller ties grief to guilt and desperate cover-ups.

Cranston’s raw performance shows a father broken by loss, with every choice steeped in pain. The show’s tense pacing makes grief a living wound.

8. ‘The Good Place’ (2016-2020) – Afterlife Lessons

Michael Schur’s ‘The Good Place’ uses a comedic afterlife to explore grief, with Kristen Bell’s Eleanor facing past regrets and lost connections. The show’s clever philosophy lessons unpack how we mourn life’s choices.

Its mix of humor and heart, especially in later seasons, makes grief profound yet hopeful. The finale’s take on letting go is unforgettable.

7. ‘Fleabag’ (2016-2019) – Personal Chaos

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s ‘Fleabag’ follows a messy woman, played by Waller-Bridge, whose sharp wit hides deep grief over a friend’s death and family rifts. The show’s fourth-wall breaks let us into her pain.

Its biting humor and raw moments, like quiet confessions, capture grief’s unpredictability. The series’ intimacy makes loss feel personal.

6. ‘WandaVision’ (2021) – Superhero Sorrow

Marvel’s ‘WandaVision’, created by Jac Schaeffer, sees Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff create a sitcom world to escape losing Vision. The show blends retro TV with superhero drama, revealing grief as her driving force.

Olsen’s heartbreaking performance and the show’s creative visuals make loss visceral. It’s a bold, emotional take on mourning through fantasy.

5. ‘Six Feet Under’ (2001-2005) – Death’s Business

Alan Ball’s ‘Six Feet Under’ follows the Fisher family, led by Peter Krause’s Nate, running a funeral home where death is daily. Each episode opens with a death, weaving grief into their lives.

The show’s dark humor and rich characters show how loss shapes identity. Its finale, a tearjerker, redefines TV endings.

4. ‘Bojack Horseman’ (2014-2020) – Animated Pain

Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s ‘Bojack Horseman’ is an animated dramedy where Will Arnett’s washed-up star, Bojack, grapples with regret and loss. The show’s absurd humor masks deep pain, like mourning a friend or past mistakes.

Its bold visuals and gut-punch episodes, like ‘Free Churro’, make grief raw. The series balances despair with hope beautifully.

3. ‘This Is Us’ (2016-2022) – Family Legacy

Dan Fogelman’s ‘This Is Us’ tracks the Pearson family, with Milo Ventimiglia’s Jack and Mandy Moore’s Rebecca, across decades of love and loss. Nonlinear storytelling shows how grief ripples through time.

The show’s warm, tearful moments, like Kate’s mourning, feel achingly real. Its focus on family ties makes loss universal.

2. ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018) – Ghostly Wounds

Mike Flanagan’s ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ follows the Crain siblings, like Victoria Pedretti’s Nell, haunted by their childhood home and personal losses. The show blends horror with family trauma.

Its emotional depth and ghostly metaphors make grief a living entity. Episodes like ‘Two Storms’ hit with devastating clarity.

1. ‘After Life’ (2019-2022) – Quiet Mourning

Ricky Gervais’ ‘After Life’ stars Gervais as Tony, a widower whose grief over his wife’s death fuels dark humor and anger. The small-town setting and simple moments, like walks with his dog, ground the pain.

The show’s raw honesty and gradual hope, through bonds with others, make it profound. Tony’s journey feels like a masterclass in mourning.

Which TV show’s take on grief hit you hardest, or did I miss one that got it right? Share your thoughts in the comments!