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Fans have long debated which series was the saddest of all. Some, like me, avoid tragic plots. Others are instantly captivated and happily cry. The debate continues, and in a recent conversation, many fans are citing the most obvious titles, such as, «Chernobyl» , while others choose more niche series, like the one with David Tennant. (And no, it's not «Doctor Who» .) In any case, the fans have compelling arguments.
Although every Doctor Who fan knows, what's in the series There are tragic moments that often seem cruel, namely David Tennant's detective series «Broadchurch» , according to fans, is particularly sad. This is just one of the answers shared by fans who recently answered a question on Reddit. Television fans also named «The Handmaid's Tale» , «Black Mirror» and even local news as the most depressing pieces they'd ever seen. Overall, fans didn't disappoint with their responses, some of which can be seen below:
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cancelthis2077 : Black Mirror (or rather, the first seasons).
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pugilist12 "Oz" is, without a doubt, the most depressing show I've ever seen. I feel like nothing truly good happens to anyone throughout the entire series, and most of what does happen is terrible.
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Maddie-Moo I just started watching The Pacific and it's a 60-minute depressing movie.
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LaosLegend I found the series "BoJack Horseman" to be quite depressing.
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Softrockstarr Broadchurch is one of the best TV series.
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No_Tamanegi : It's grim. The more you understand what's going on, the worse it gets.
In particular, the series is mentioned repeatedly in the discussion «Black Mirror» . Frankly, fans wouldn't be wrong to include this Netflix series, known for its dark plot twists, like the episode "Hotel Reverie." It features one of the most poignant and heartbreaking endings in the history of the anthology franchise. Those who enjoy dark series might enjoy this and others with a Netflix subscription, but they may not be for those who prefer lighter themes.
Elsewhere, several other users found TV series based on true events to be more depressing. For this reason, many mentioned «Chernobyl» . I admit, I haven't watched the show, but I know the historical context, so I've avoided it. The most upsetting part of the series was "the one episode with the dog," according to KTOWNTHROWAWAY9001. This episode apparently left a lasting impression on fans like TheArtfulLlama, who said:
This movie literally ruined my weekend.
Some fans give up on the show after just watching the pilot, and I understand that. I watched it with high hopes. «"A Million Little Things", Because the series stars David Giuntoli, James Rodriguez, and Grace Park. I'm a fan of each of these actors, but because the pilot episode was so disappointing, I never finished watching the series.
User CrissBliss, who refused to watch, experiences similar feelings. «The Handmaid's Tale» , stating, "I had to stop watching because every week the same thing happened, nothing but depressing." Created by Bruce Miller, the series depicts a horrific future that some say is too close to reality. However, the franchise thrives and continues with a well-received spin-off. «Testaments» .
Other series mentioned include: «Mr. Robot» with Rami Malek, «Skins» , «Six Feet Under» , «Shameless» и «The Wire» . While these series seem to have left a deep imprint on fans, some also instantly captivated viewers, and some are considered among the best series of all time. So, while these and other series may be depressing, their cultural impact is hard to deny.
Those looking for darker series should check out the 2026 TV schedule to see what's on the air throughout the rest of the year.