Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama A Million Little Things, which explores the profound impact of loss on a tight-knit group of friends and how tragedy can become the catalyst for truly living.
A Million Little Things premiered on September 26, 2018, and ran for 5 seasons with a total of 87 episodes, each averaging 43 minutes. The series originally aired on ABC and is now available on multiple streaming platforms including Hulu and other services. Created by DJ Nash, the show follows a group of friends who become motivated to live fuller lives after the unexpected death of a close friend.
This emotional drama masterfully balances heavy themes of grief, depression, and suicide with moments of hope, humor, and healing. The series centers on a group of friends from Boston who bonded under unexpected circumstances, with some having achieved success while others struggle in their careers and relationships, but all feeling stuck in life. When tragedy strikes, it serves as a wake-up call that forces each character to reevaluate what truly matters.
The Central Plot: When Loss Becomes a Catalyst for Living
The story begins with a devastating suicide that rocks a close group of friends to their core. Jon, seemingly successful and happy, takes his own life without warning, leaving his friends Gary, Rome, Maggie, Eddie, and others grappling with guilt, confusion, and unresolved questions. This tragic event becomes the driving force that compels each character to stop merely existing and start truly living. The series explores how grief can either paralyze or propel us forward, showing that sometimes it takes losing everything to realize what we actually have.
Gary Mendez: The Loyal Friend Fighting His Own Battles
David Giuntoli portrays Gary, a breast cancer survivor who uses humor as both a shield and a weapon against life’s hardships. Gary’s journey is particularly compelling as he struggles with survivor’s guilt on multiple levels – surviving cancer while others didn’t, and surviving the loss of his best friend Jon. His character evolution throughout the series shows a man learning to be vulnerable, to love again, and to find purpose beyond just surviving. Gary’s relationship with Maggie, a fellow cancer patient, becomes a cornerstone of healing for both characters.
Rome Howard: Breaking Mental Health Stigmas
Romany Malco brings depth to Rome, a successful commercial director who has been quietly battling depression. Rome’s storyline is groundbreaking in its honest portrayal of mental health struggles, particularly within the Black community where such issues are often stigmatized. His journey from the brink of suicide to seeking help and becoming an advocate for mental health awareness provides some of the series’ most powerful moments. Rome’s marriage to Regina and their struggles with fertility add another layer of complexity to his character development.
Confronting Jon’s Hidden Truth
The series reaches its emotional peak when the friends discover the real reason behind Jon’s suicide – a web of financial deception and personal shame that he felt he couldn’t escape. This revelation forces each character to confront their own secrets and lies, leading to a powerful climax where truth becomes both destructive and liberating. The discovery that Jon had been protecting them all along, even in death, provides a bittersweet resolution that honors both his memory and their friendship.
A Rich Tapestry of Human Experience
The ensemble cast includes Grace Park, Christina Moses, Allison Miller, James Roday Rodriguez, Stéphanie Szostak, Tristan Byon, and Lizzy Greene, each bringing unique perspectives to the story. Delilah, Jon’s widow, navigates single motherhood while dealing with her own secrets. Eddie struggles with addiction and infidelity while trying to rebuild his marriage to Katherine. Maggie, the group’s therapist, learns to heal herself while helping others. Each supporting character adds depth and authenticity to the show’s exploration of modern friendship and family dynamics.
Success on Streaming Platforms
A Million Little Things found its audience through word-of-mouth and streaming availability, with viewers drawn to its authentic portrayal of grief and friendship. The series’ format of interconnected storylines and flashbacks keeps audiences engaged while slowly revealing the complex web of relationships and secrets. The show’s willingness to tackle difficult subjects like suicide, mental health, addiction, and infertility resonated with viewers looking for more than superficial entertainment. The series concluded on its own terms in 2023, allowing for a satisfying resolution to all character arcs.
If you love deeply emotional dramas that explore the complexities of friendship, loss, and second chances, A Million Little Things is the perfect series to binge on streaming platforms. This show proves that sometimes life’s most profound lessons come wrapped in our darkest moments. A Million Little Things transforms tragedy into hope, showing that true friendship isn’t about the big gestures but the countless small moments that bind us together and give life meaning.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 87 episodes across 5 seasons
Platform: Originally ABC, now available on Hulu and other streaming services
Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Drama, Emotional/Family Drama
Main Protagonists: David Giuntoli (Gary), Romany Malco (Rome), Allison Miller (Maggie), Christina Moses (Regina)
Central Conflict: Dealing with friend’s suicide and its aftermath while confronting personal struggles