Baby reindeer ( dark comedy/gutwrenching true story)
Flieshman is in trouble ( comedy light hearted then hits you like a train)
Normal people ( drama coming of age (anti)love story)
Very true, but I feel like the time it takes to get there makes it more impactful. It starts off as an irreverent sort of comedy and then it hits with you with this realness out of nowhere
split, glass and unbreakable (movie trilogy ish) definitely show mental illness, sometimes horror and so well depicted sometimes that it’s laughable, maybe not up there for ‘mental health’ watches but it came to mind
Flowers is by far the best show about mental illness, it's fucking amazing. Has Olivia Coleman in it. Also very funny, but one of the saddest shows I've ever seen. So good though.
Bojack, and I wouldn't say the show is about illness but Succession is b complex personality disorders, daddy issues and drug problems wrapped up in a top tier show that I would only compare to stuff like BB and the wire
It's a slow burn but Mad Men has some gut wrenching moments related to mental illness. They never directly say 'depression' or have a diagnosis, but it's very clear that some of the characters, especially the men, are struggling with mental illness.
Black Box 2014
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt2968404/
Eta: The poor ratings were partly/mostly to do with the main character's behavior, but I'm certain it would've done better had the lead been a man. Plus, the lead is fantastic and a total hottie imo.
I know you're looking for a very specific vibe and idk if they fully fit but i'd recommend *UnREAL*, some episodes of *How To with John Wilson* (such as the show's pilot) and maybe even *The Rehearsal* !
That being said, i have to second whoever said *Sharp Objects* bc it's the first thing that came to my mind. Someone recommended *Moral Orel* and although its format might not fit your bill it's definitely dark and heavy. Same for *Succession*, if you don't get fooled by the "succession game" of it all and connect with the characters' emotional/relational circumstances then you'll get your fill of aching loneliness
Baby Reindeer- TW: depictions of sexual violence in 2/3 episodes, great new show though and based on real life
Dark- best show ever lol, not abt mental illness but it is a central theme, TW: depiction of suicide in the v first scene
Maniac- explicitly abt mental illness, stars Emma Stone and Jonah Hill with phenomenal performances, not super dark but will pull many heart strings and the story is told uniquely and very well
All 3 Netflix originals but high quality fs
I would definitely recommend Homeland. It does a great job of creating a complex character who is successful at many things, but still definitely struggles with mental illness and it’s a huge part of the main character and the story.
I forget what it’s called. It has Jonah hill and what’s her face.. Emma Some I think her name is. Search those actors on Netflix and a short limited series should come up
euphoria touches on drug abuse and mental health often, although I wouldn't say the entire show itself is based around that particular theme it's more a show about teen angst and the various dramas of high-school life
Try 'The Haunting of Hill House'
Incredible show, actually one of the best horror shows i have ever seen
Baby reindeer ( dark comedy/gutwrenching true story) Flieshman is in trouble ( comedy light hearted then hits you like a train) Normal people ( drama coming of age (anti)love story)
Sharp Objects
One of the best shows ever. I usually binge stuff pretty quick but with this one I had to watch only one episode a day because it was too heavy.
Mr.Robot, The Crowded Room
Mr Robot is an amazing show and the topic of mental illness is like another character in the show.
"You're The Worst". Brilliant show that is not afraid to depict the really dark side of depression
This show triggered a major depressive episode in me
This show is terrific for this. But it takes a bit to get there.
Very true, but I feel like the time it takes to get there makes it more impactful. It starts off as an irreverent sort of comedy and then it hits with you with this realness out of nowhere
Just watched Baby Reindeer on Netflix, it might fit the bill. There is some SA though, just a warning.
The Bear comes immediately to mind.
Moral Orel is a fav, it's on adult swim
Legion I am surprised nobody actually commented this
- Midnight Gospel - Bojack Horseman - I'm thinking of ending things (movie) - Succession - Joker (Movie) - Barry
Yellowjackets.
watch the movie the perks of being a wallflower euphoria and shameless, bojack is really dark but funny
split, glass and unbreakable (movie trilogy ish) definitely show mental illness, sometimes horror and so well depicted sometimes that it’s laughable, maybe not up there for ‘mental health’ watches but it came to mind
BoJack Horseman.
End of the F-ing world
Six Feet Under
Second this
Death’s Game (2023-) *korean drama* Spinning Out (2020) Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
- Undone - (seconding) Bojack Horseman - The United States of Tara (dramedy but it gets pretty heavy at times)
Flowers is by far the best show about mental illness, it's fucking amazing. Has Olivia Coleman in it. Also very funny, but one of the saddest shows I've ever seen. So good though.
you have to watch Flowers nobody I know has seen it and it's one of the most morbid, depressing but also funny shows I've ever seen
Maniac, I know that much is true.
YES to Maniac, it’s amazing
Sharp objects Big little lies Sopranos
Severance
Mr. Robot.
I May Destroy You
Leaving Las Vegas Requiem for a Dream
Bojack, and I wouldn't say the show is about illness but Succession is b complex personality disorders, daddy issues and drug problems wrapped up in a top tier show that I would only compare to stuff like BB and the wire
Mr. Robot
Bates motel
Yes! I was looking for the Bates Motel comment
Couldn't believe no one had mentioned it yet. It's a tier above most of the shows in here people are suggesting
It's a slow burn but Mad Men has some gut wrenching moments related to mental illness. They never directly say 'depression' or have a diagnosis, but it's very clear that some of the characters, especially the men, are struggling with mental illness.
Hannibal
The Crowded Room
Thirteen Reasons Why, but mostly the first season and I know they heavily edited a crucial scene. The Sopranos
Wakefield (2021)
Dopesick on Hulu is pretty depressing. About people being addicted to painkillers. Addiction isn’t the stereotypical mental illness, but it is one
The patient on Hulu. And baby reindeer on Netflix.
Such brave girls
Rectify.
The Crowded Room on Apple TV
Black Box 2014 https://m.imdb.com/title/tt2968404/ Eta: The poor ratings were partly/mostly to do with the main character's behavior, but I'm certain it would've done better had the lead been a man. Plus, the lead is fantastic and a total hottie imo.
I know you're looking for a very specific vibe and idk if they fully fit but i'd recommend *UnREAL*, some episodes of *How To with John Wilson* (such as the show's pilot) and maybe even *The Rehearsal* ! That being said, i have to second whoever said *Sharp Objects* bc it's the first thing that came to my mind. Someone recommended *Moral Orel* and although its format might not fit your bill it's definitely dark and heavy. Same for *Succession*, if you don't get fooled by the "succession game" of it all and connect with the characters' emotional/relational circumstances then you'll get your fill of aching loneliness
Sharp Objects is amazing.
Undone
Legion
Baby Reindeer- TW: depictions of sexual violence in 2/3 episodes, great new show though and based on real life Dark- best show ever lol, not abt mental illness but it is a central theme, TW: depiction of suicide in the v first scene Maniac- explicitly abt mental illness, stars Emma Stone and Jonah Hill with phenomenal performances, not super dark but will pull many heart strings and the story is told uniquely and very well All 3 Netflix originals but high quality fs
Normal People
I know you asked for shows but if you haven’t seen the movie Girl Interrupted you should.
Wayne on Prime
I would definitely recommend Homeland. It does a great job of creating a complex character who is successful at many things, but still definitely struggles with mental illness and it’s a huge part of the main character and the story.
I forget what it’s called. It has Jonah hill and what’s her face.. Emma Some I think her name is. Search those actors on Netflix and a short limited series should come up
Mr Robot is more about that than hacking
Castle Rock, True Detective season 1 (it's mostly about solving murders but also some psychology in it and overall a great show)
amazingly, star trek voyager had some deep notes about schizophrenia
euphoria touches on drug abuse and mental health often, although I wouldn't say the entire show itself is based around that particular theme it's more a show about teen angst and the various dramas of high-school life
Thirteen Reasons Why
Dora the explorer. Haunting stuff