Dead to Me is an American black comedy-drama television series that stars Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as two grieving women who bond during therapy. It was created by Liz Feldman and executive produced by Feldman, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and Jessica Elbaum. The series premiered on May 3, 2019, on Netflix and received positive reviews. In June 2019, Netflix renewed the series for a second season which was released on May 8, 2020. At the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, Applegate received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
In July 2020, the series was renewed for a third and final season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production of the third season was delayed until mid-2021, and was then further delayed by Applegate's multiple sclerosis diagnosis. The third and final season was released on November 17, 2022. At the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, the show received four nominations including Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series and two Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Applegate and Cardellini. At the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, Applegate received her third Outstanding Lead Actress nomination on the series for its final season.
Premise
Dead to Me is about a friendship that blossoms between Jen (Applegate) and Judy (Cardellini). Jen is a recently widowed real estate agent based in Laguna Beach, California, trying to come to terms with her loss through therapy, exercise, and other methods. She uses anger and resentment as an outlet for her grief. She meets Judy in a grief support group. Jen mourns her husband, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver, while Judy claims that she is grieving for her fiancé who died of a heart attack. In actuality, Judy is the hit-and-run driver, and her fiancé simply broke up with her. The two characters face their struggles differently, as Jen finds herself in a dark place while Judy maintains a positive disposition. This difference quickly leads to a deep bond between the two. Jen becomes more unhinged as she unravels the mystery of her husband's death and Judy's secrets.
Cast and characters
Main
Christina Applegate as Jen Harding, a realtor whose husband Ted was killed by a hit-and-run driver shortly before the start of the series Linda Cardellini as Judy Hale, a woman Jen meets at a grief support group who befriends her; she is the hit-and-run driver James Marsden as Steve Wood (season 1), Judy's emotionally abusive ex-fiancé, an attorney involved with the Greek Mafia Ben Wood (seasons 2–3), Steve's (almost) identical twin brother, a chiropractor, and Jen's new love interest Max Jenkins as Christopher Doyle (seasons 1–2, recurring season 3), Jen's real estate business partner and friend Sam McCarthy as Charlie Harding, Jen's older son Luke Roessler as Henry Harding, Jen's younger son
Recurring
Diana-Maria Riva as Ana Perez, the police detective in charge of the hit-and-run case Brandon Scott as Nick Prager, a police detective on administrative leave whom Judy meets at the grieving retreat Valerie Mahaffey as Lorna Harding, Jen's mother-in-law and Ted's mother Natalie Morales as Michelle (seasons 2–3), Judy's love interest and Ana's ex-girlfriend Ed Asner as Abe Rifkin (season 1), Judy's friend from the retirement home where she works Keong Sim as Pastor Wayne, Jen and Judy's grief support group leader Telma Hopkins as Yolanda, a member of the grief support group Sadie Stanley as Parker (season 2), Charlie's brief love interest and self-proclaimed social media micro-influencer Haley Sims as Kayley, Steve's assistant Blair Beeken as Wendy, a member of the grief support group Edward Fordham Jr. as Kyle, a member of the grief support group Frances Conroy as Eileen Wood (seasons 2–3), Steve and Ben's mother Suzy Nakamura as Karen, Jen's neighbor, who is obsessed with protecting her house and preparing for the apocalypse. Jere Burns as Howard Hastings (season 2), a corrupt police chief who is working with the Greek Mafia Garret Dillahunt as Glenn Moranis (season 3), an FBI agent who is investigating Steve's death and ties to the Greek Mafia