Top 10 Shows That Tackled Sensitive Subjects the Best

This show does not waste any time. The very premise is a group of friends mourning after their friend takes his own life. The way “A Million Little Things” discusses depression so openly and directly – without ever sensationalizing it – is refreshing. On top of that, we get an honest depiction of the different effects things like death, depression, and both physical and mental illness have on different people. On the surface, some might want to write it off as just another tear-jerker drama. But if folks give it a chance, they’ll see it’s much much more than that.

First of all, the fact that the story here is centered around a Hispanic family alone is deeply significant, and its importance can’t be overlooked. After all, how many popular, mainstream shows about Latinx families and their real, nuanced stories are there? Representation is important, and “One Day at a Time” is the perfect example of why that is. While it ended way before its time, we got to witness the Alvarez family experience some seriously deep storylines. The way the sitcom deals with stories such as Elena’s sexuality, Penelope’s mental health, and so many other topics is incredibly graceful. It opens the door to societal discussions, breaking down barriers and working to dismantle stigmas.

This coming-of-age sitcom started out as a kind of lesson of the week type of deal. Cory, Shawn, or another member of the group finds themselves in some sort of a bind. By the end, they’ll often learn valuable life lessons with the help of figures like the Matthews parents or the legendary Mr. Feeny. Eventually as the seasons progress and the characters grow, so too do the problems they must face. Many teen and family shows get so ridiculous and extreme with how they deal with these things, but “Boy Meets World” shows a much more accurate depiction. It tackles subjects like racism, alcohol use, abuse, even assault from authority figures, but makes sure to tell these stories in a responsible and thoughtful way.

The representation of deaf culture alone makes this show worthwhile, but that’s not all. Family dynamics play a huge role, as the Kennish and Vasquez clans come together. While they sometimes clash, their differences aren’t used for gratuitous conflict. On top of that, deafness is treated with the respect and care it deserves, and the deaf characters like Daphne and Emmett are fully realized, not caricatures. Plus, the hearing people take the time to learn and understand the deaf world, and ableist attitudes are called out. In the midst of all that, the show takes the time to tackle issues like racism and assault. Come for the quirky plot about babies who were switched at birth, but stay for the tactful portrayal of serious issues.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe tends to be pretty grandiose. But “Jessica Jones” shows us a side of the super world we don’t see quite as often. The title character is your more every-day powered person just trying to get by. When we meet her, she’s left her superhero life behind due to a past experience involving the villain Kilgrave. Of course, she’s unable to run from her problems forever. Through her journey, we get to delve deep into subjects like PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Her characterization and storylines, combined with those of the other characters, are handled extremely well. It may be a show full of powers and fantastical plot points, but at its core, it feels human and real.

While many modern shows touch on the matter of mental illness, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” is tailored around it. The series follows Rebecca’s journey discovering and accepting that she has borderline personality disorder, as she also navigates day-to-day life. Though dark humor and musical numbers are used to tell the story, they never diminish her experiences or take away from the depth of her situation. Rather, they serve the purpose of normalizing her story. Naturally, some of the plot points throughout are a bit extreme – it is a TV show after all, and it’s meant to be entertaining. But through the scope of Rebecca’s mind, we see a nuanced portrayal of what it’s like living with mental illness.

Family dynamics, autism, adoption, sexual identity. Wow, “Parenthood” really tackles it all. Through the gaze of the Braverman family, we see such a wide range of different types of families. Adam’s cookie cutter life is challenged when his son, Max, is diagnosed with Asperger’s. Sarah, for her part, is a single mom with two adolescents. Meanwhile, Crosby is a bachelor who finds out he has a son. And Julia and her husband struggle with growing their young family. We’re barely scratching the surface here! It’s rare to see a show successfully take on so many different perspectives, giving each one its due while also bringing them together. But this one does so gracefully, as the characters navigate their ever-changing lives.

Some shows work because of the gentle ways in which they bring life to the screen, connecting audiences with the characters. “This Is Us” is one of them. We see the lives of the Pearson family throughout the generations, and in different timelines. For one thing, the relationship between Kate, Randall, and Kevin captures the messiness and love that comes with having siblings. There’s also a poignant exploration of grief woven throughout the show. On top of that, we witness things like Randall finding his birth father, Kate dealing with her body image, and Kevin coming to terms with his substance use disorder. To say that’s weighty stuff would be an understatement. But in “This Is Us”’s hands, it all feels accessible and thoughtful.

Despite rave reviews as well as several awards, this crime drama was canceled long before its time. Still, it made the most of the years it had. Each season follows a new story, focusing on social and political issues that, sure, play dramatically on TV, but also resemble real life matters. First airing in 2015, it felt particularly timely. Now, issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, violence, and discrimination in the United States are nothing new. But “American Crime” was able to join the discourse surrounding these problems, providing worthwhile contributions to the conversation.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Brothers & Sisters” (2006-11)
Family Drama Done Properly

“Never Have I Ever” (2020-)
Indian-American Teen Devi’s Story Explores Grief, the Teenage Experience, Cultural Differences, & So Much More

“Atypical” (2017-21)
An Exploration of Life on the Autism Spectrum

“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990-96)
It’s Not All Fun & Games

The tagline for this teen drama is “it goes there”. That pretty much says it all doesn’t it? “Degrassi: The Next Generation” doesn’t just tackle serious issues here and there. Instead, it focuses on how such topics affect everyday life, and influence us as we grow up and into ourselves. The lives of these teenage characters may seem extreme at certain points, but if you really watch them, it’s clear that the core stuff they’re dealing with is pretty universal. And it’s hard not to find at least one character you relate to. The kids at Degrassi deal with everything from violence to death to mental health to substance use disorder, digging deep to shed light on topics that often aren’t discussed enough.