Grief on TV: Shows you need to watch

"But what is grief if not love persevering" - WandaVision

We tend to watch shows to escape our everyday lives or we find shows with a similar storyline to what we're going through. If you have lost a loved one, it might seem more comforting to watch a TV show about death and grief to help you feel less alone and it might also provide an insight to what you need to hear right now.

We have collated a selection of shows which are light hearted in nature, show vulnerability and which illustrates how people experience death, grief and loss - you may even find yourself having a good laugh and cry!

This Is Us (2016-2022)

This intergenerational drama focuses on three children and the impact their father's death has on different periods of their lives. This program does an excellent job of showing how grief affects not only current feelings, but future experiences.

"You see, for days, I've been plagued by the question: how do I honour my father's legacy? Then I realised, I honour his legacy by taking what I learned from the way he lived his life and use it to shape the way I go on living mine." - Randall Pierson

Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)

Ned has the ability to bring people back to life with just a touch. In this capacity, he assists police with investigations. After bringing back to life his childhood girlfriend, Ned decides he wants her to stay - the only problem is, he can't touch her or she dies again. Pushing Daisies is light-hearted and takes a realistic outlook on not wanting to let go.   

The Good Place (2016-2020)

Four people struggling in the afterlife explore what it means to be good. Their varied personality's help viewers understand that there is no such thing as black and white when it comes to good and evil. This TV show is a light-hearted portrayal of life after death and grief.

"All humans are aware of death. So we're all a little bit sad all the time. That's just the deal… but we don't get offered any other ones. And if you try and ignore your sadness, it just ends up leaking out of you anyway. I've been there. And everybody's been there. So don't fight it." - Eleanor  

After Life (2019-2022)

After Life depicts the life of writer Tony Johnson, whose wife dies after a battle with cancer. The comedy focuses on Tony as he navigates life without his soulmate and becomes outspoken and cynical. With a comedic and sombre twist, Tony turns his pain into punishment for everyone around him who hasn't experienced a loss like his. Afterlife takes a humorous approach to life and grief with very relatable and empathetic undertones.   

A Million Little Things (2018)

A Million Little Things centres on a close group of friends who are shocked when one of their own dies by suicide. What makes this series standout is how widely the ripples expand when someone passes.  Jon's death not only affects his wife and kids but also his friends, their families and even his work colleagues.   The focus is on the people Jon left behind and how they navigate their grief and come together to help one another continue to live life to the fullest. The show conveys the message that grief is never overcome, instead something to carry with us forever. It also shows that friends can be the family you need during times of struggle.    A Million Little Things is based on the saying, "Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things," and it truly takes that quote to heart.  

Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

Six Feet Under is about the lives of a family, who run a funeral home in California. Six Feet Under is a drama series that deals with issues like relationships,family dynamics, infidelity, personal growth and religion. Centred around these issues is the topic of death, which the show explores on a personal, religious and philosophical level.    With each episode starting with a death, which then the storyline is based on allowing the characters to reflect on their lives in a way that is brought further into light by the death and its effects on the characters. The show uses dark comedy and surrealism throughout the entire series. 

Good Grief (2021)

Good Grief is about sisters Ellie and Gwen who inherit their grandfather's funeral home after he dies. It depicts the trials and tribulations of two very different sisters who juggle life and a newfound business in death. Good grief is a dark comedy with elements of the show being  humor, death and grief.

Sorry For Your Loss (2018-2020)

Sorry For Your Loss is a drama series and is centred around a young widow and her family as they struggle to cope  with the unexpected loss of her husband. The show only has two seasons and is a realistic and beautiful journey and delves into the feelings of grief and loss. It shows  how different characters express grief differently from adults to children.

Finding Alice (2021)

Finding Alice is a comedy drama series and is centred around Alice, Harry and their daughter, Charlotte. Alice's husband suddenly dies after they move into their new home. Alice soon discovers that her late husband had many secrets and starts to unravel. Finding Alice is a dark comedy which finds a good balance in drama, comedy and sadness.

Pivoting (2022)

Pivoting follows three friends after the death of their other best friend, Colleen. After Colleen's death the lives of all three are changed forever as they navigate their new world with help from each other. Pivoting only has one season however the ups and downs with grief and friendships in each episode is relatable to anyone experiencing similar emotions.

Grief comes in many forms and the journey to heal will take us all on a different path. The feeling of grief isn't good or bad, they just are. The characters in the above shows will make you laugh and cry and hopefully can make you feel less alone in your journey of grief.

By Jack Kennedy

To Find Support:

Beyond Blue provides Australians with information and support to improve their mental health. Call 1300 22 46 36 or visit beyondblue.org.au for more information.

Lifeline Australia provides Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support. Call 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au for more information.

GriefLine listens, cares and supports people experiencing loss and grief, at any stage in life. Call 1300 845... 8am to 8pm AEST, weekdays.

MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week.

Kids Helpline is a free 24/7, confidential and private counselling service Australia wide specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. Call 1800 55 1800.

Life Supports Counselling provides Australians with experienced counsellors and psychologists in their local area Australia-wide. Call 1300 735... .