“Dead to Me” is a dark comedy series and Netflix original created by American comedian Liz Feldman.
The story follows Jen Harding who lost her husband Ted to a hit-and-run driver. Christina Applegate plays Jen, who is also a real estate agent and mother of two boys. Her sons are Charlie (Sam McCarthy) and Henry (Luke Roessler). Henry is so adorable and charming. But between being a teenager and dealing with the death of his dad, Charlie isn’t doing well. Like Charlie, Jen looks tough on the outside but she is in a lot of pain.
The cast also includes Abe Rifkin (Edward Asner), Judy’s friend from the retirement home, and Desperate Housewives Valerie Mahaffey who stars as Lorna Harding, Jen’s mother-in-law and Ted’s mother.
To deal with her grief, Jen joins a support group, “Friends of Heaven,” where she befriends Judy Hale (Linda Cardellini). Judy is a free-spirited 41 year old woman. She is works and lives in a retirement home for the aged. But in the scheme of things, none of that really matters.
Jen and Judy deal with their grief together, as well as associated challenges of grieving such as insomnia. Charlie and Henry take a liking to Judy too. If for nothing else, at least she can cook unlike their mum. It turns out that Ted did all the cooking.
In no time, Jen and Judy develop a really strong friendship. So much so that Jen invites Judy to move in with her and her boys. But it is a huge shock to learn along the line that Judy did not exactly lose a spouse. She has had a painful experience but it is not what Jen thinks. Jen discovers that Steve Wood (James Marsden) isn’t Judy’s late finance but ex-finance. Steve is indeed hale and hearty.
Understandably, a livid Jen confronts Judy and their relationship becomes strained until she learns of Judy’s reasons. But that’s not all Judy’s secret. She has a bigger secret which will truly devastate Jen and her sons. And that is the reason she became Jen’s friend in the first place. She wanted to cover up her secret at all costs. The question is, ‘What do you think Jen will do when she finds out?’
If you enjoy fast-paced series with upbeat performances that make sarcasm delightful, then you’ll love the Netflix original “Dead to Me.”
