Molly GanderList RulesVote up the shows that best portray characters dealing with depression.
Depression can often be an all-consuming feeling that makes you feel totally alone in the world. Even so nearly everyone has experienced depression at one time or another in their lives, and sometimes the best way to understand depression is to watch how others deal with it. In our current age of television, there's no shortage of shows that star characters with depression written in utterly compelling, human ways that can go from heartbreaking to empathetic to hilariously satisfying all in one episode.
Shows about depression can be therapeutic for those suffering from that seemingly endless black cloud, but they can also be cathartic for everyone else. Sometimes there's nothing better than a good, dark binge of other people feeling like crap and the best shows about depression understand that sense of schadenfreude, though they often do so while humanizing and explaining the disease. Much like the illness itself, these TV shows about depression (and the lives of those who suffer from it) can whisk you from hopeless lows to a small ray of light, all before crashing the whole thing down on you before one episode is through. From prestige dramas to network sitcoms to big-budget genre epics, the shows on this list all manage to say something unique about depression and show the variety of ways that mental illness can affect us. Whether these shows are full on cry-fests or manage to wrap up the central themes in a happy ending, they understand the complexity of depression in all its forms and are able to turn that complexity into endlessly riveting television.
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26699House
Hugh Laurie, Omar EppsGenres (Tv): Medical drama
Character James Wilson suffers from clinical depression, and believes Dr. House does as well.
House, M.D. (Fox, 2004) is an American television medical drama created by David Shore. An... more2
24791Rick and Morty
Justin Roiland, Chris ParnellGenres (Tv): Adult animation, Sci-fi, Comedy, Adventure
Rick is in a constant state of existential crisis, and his depression is documented throughout the series.
Rick and Morty (Adult Swim, 2013) is an American adult animated science-fiction sitcom created... more3
19562The End of the F***ing World
Alex Lawther, Jessica BardenGenres (Tv): Comedy-drama
Other mental illnesses are covered as well, but Alyssa spends the second season battling depression.
The End of the F***ing World (Netflix, 2018) is an eight-part British absurdist dark... more4
18657Mr. Robot
Rami Malek, Carly ChaikinGenres (Tv): Drama, Techno thriller, Psychological thriller
Elliot Alderson suffers from depression, among other mental illnesses.
Mr. Robot (USA Network, 2015) is an American drama-thriller television series created by Sam... more5
388181BoJack Horseman
Will Arnett, Amy SedarisGenres (Tv): Comedy, Animation
The titular character's struggle with depression, among other possible mental illnesses, is a main plotpoint throughout the series.
BoJack Horseman (Netflix, 2014) is an American animated sitcom created by Raphael... more6
11332Shameless
Emmy Rossum, William H. MacyGenres (Tv): Comedy, Drama
Fiona, among other members of the Gallagher family, struggles with depression throughout the series.
Shameless (Showtime, 2011) is an American comedy-drama television series developed by John... more7
5218You're the Worst
Chris Geere, Aya CashGenres (Tv): Comedy-drama, Romantic comedy, Black comedy
Season two reveals Gretchen's struggle with clinical depression.
You're the Worst (FXX, 2014) is an American comedy-drama television series created by Stephen... more8
5730This Is Us
Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy MooreGenres (Tv): Comedy, Family drama
This Is Us (NBC, 2016) is an American television series created by Dan Fogelman. Follows a... more9
18616113 Reasons Why
Dylan Minnette, Katherine LangfordGenres (Tv): Teen drama, Mystery, Thriller
The first season is predominantly about Hannah Baker's depression. However, later seasons show other characters also struggling with depression, such as Justin Foley in season two.
13 Reasons Why (Netflix, 2017) is an American teen drama mystery series based on the 2007... more10
5024Russian Doll
Natasha Lyonne, Greta LeeGenres (Tv): Comedy
Russian Doll (Netflix, 2019) is an American comedy web television series created by Natasha... more11
5732Degrassi: The Next Generation
Miriam McDonald, Cassie SteeleGenres (Tv): Teen drama
Degrassi: The Next Generation (CTV, 2001 ) is a Canadian teen drama television series created... more12
4322Maniac
Jonah Hill, Emma StoneGenres (Tv): Comedy, Psychological drama
Maniac (Netflix, 2018) is an American dark comedy television series created by Patrick... more13
3514Please Like Me
Josh Thomas, Thomas WardGenres (Tv): Comedy Drama
Please Like Me is an Australian television comedy drama series starring Josh Thomas. The... more14
2913Six Feet Under
Peter Krause, Michael C. HallGenres (Tv): Black comedy, Drama, Comedy-drama
Six Feet Under (HBO, 2001) is an American drama television series created and produced by Alan... more15
3522One Day at a Time
Justina Machado, Todd GrinnellGenres (Tv): Sitcom
One Day at a Time (Netflix) is a 2017 sitcom loosely based on the 1975 Norman Lear series of... more16
2512A Million Little Things
David Giuntoli, Ron LivingstonGenres (Tv): Drama
A Million Little Things (ABC, 2018) is an American family drama television series created by... more17
3627Jessica Jones
Krysten Ritter, Mike ColterGenres (Tv): Action, Crime, Drama
Jessica Jones (Netflix, 2015) is an American web television series created by Melissa... more18
2517Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Rachel Bloom, Vincent Rodriguez IIIGenres (Tv): Comedy, Musical
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW, 2015) is an American romantic musical comedy-drama television... more19
2012The Leftovers
Justin Theroux, Amy BrennemanGenres (Tv): Drama
The Leftovers (HBO, 2014) is an American supernatural mystery television drama series created... more20
2520Scrubs
Zach Braff, Donald FaisonGenres (Tv): Sitcom, Medical drama
Scrubs (NBC, 2001) is an American medical comedy-drama television series created by Bill... more21
1814Love
Gillian Jacobs, Paul RustGenres (Tv): Romantic Comedy
Love (Netflix, 2016) is an American romantic comedy web television series created by Judd... more22
149Flowers
Olivia Colman, Julian BarrattGenres (Tv): Black comedy, Comedy-drama, Sitcom
Flowers (Channel 4, 2016) is a British black comedy-drama television sitcom. The series... more23
1917Legion
Dan Stevens, Rachel KellerGenres (Tv): Sci-fi, Action, Horror, Drama, Superhero
Legion (FX, 2017) is an American cable television series created by Noah Hawley, based on the... more24
1416Bodyguard
Richard Madden, Keeley HawesGenres (Tv): Drama, Political thriller
Bodyguard (Netflix, 2018) is a British television political thriller drama series created by... more25
2737Glee
Lea Michele, Jane LynchGenres (Tv): Teen drama, Musical
Glee (Fox, 2009) is an American musical comedy-drama television series created by Ryan Murphy,... more
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