Olive Kitteridge
There's no such thing as a simple life.
Created by Jane Anderson
On HBO
A concentrated, character-driven miniseries that uses a sharp-tongued elderly woman as the lens through which to examine the hidden sorrows and moral complexities of a small New England town across 25 years.
A look at a seemingly placid New England town that is actually wrought with illicit affairs, crime and tragedy, all told through the lens of Olive, whose wicked wit and harsh demeanor mask a warm but troubled heart and staunch moral center. The story spans 25 years and focuses on Olive's relationships with her husband, Henry, the good-hearted and kindly town pharmacist; their son, Christopher, who resents his mother's approach to parenting; and other members of their community.
Clusters
Genres
Where to watch
Questions people ask
Is Olive Kitteridge sad? Yes, very. More sad than 96% of series.
Is Olive Kitteridge one of a kind? Yes, very. More singular than 94% of series.
Does Olive Kitteridge leave you hopeful? Not especially. Less hopeful than 63% of series.
Is Olive Kitteridge easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 61% of series.
Is Olive Kitteridge violent? Not especially. Less violent than 59% of series.
Is Olive Kitteridge scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Written about
- The Opposite of HBOFinding
- The Shows That Know They EndFinding
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Familiar shape, done well.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like Olive Kitteridge, and what each one shares →
Like Olive Kitteridge
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Olive Kitteridge
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Olive Kitteridge, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Olive Kitteridge, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Olive Kitteridge, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
