TV Shows Giving Depth to Working-Class Hero Journeys

TV shows are increasingly offering more realistic and complex depictions of working-class lives, moving past simple stereotypes. These stories often focus on the financial challenges, systemic obstacles, and everyday hardships faced by people in blue-collar jobs. By setting these characters in believable environments, the shows reveal the strength and humanity of those living paycheck to paycheck. This change in how stories are told allows for a closer look at how money affects families, who people are, and their chances of moving up in the world. Whether through humor or serious drama, these series celebrate the value of work and the common desire for a better future.

‘All in the Family’ (1971–1979)

Archie Bunker, a World War II veteran and working-class foreman in Queens, New York, is the central character in a sitcom that honestly portrays the challenges faced by many Americans during a time of rapid social change. The show cleverly used his family relationships to examine important issues like race, gender, and economic inequality. It was groundbreaking for featuring a main character who often clashed with the new values emerging in America. For five years, the series was the most-watched show on television, becoming a defining representation of the disagreements between different generations and political viewpoints, all within one family.

‘Roseanne’ (1988–2018)

This comedy follows the Conners, a working-class family in the made-up town of Lanford, Illinois. Both parents work hard at manual labor jobs to provide for their three kids and keep a roof over their heads. The show was known for showing the realities of financial struggles and everyday family life without glossing over the tough parts. It tackled difficult topics like job loss, healthcare, and debt, using both humor and honesty. The show’s realistic look at a family just trying to get by connected with viewers all over the country.

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

‘The Wire’ is a show about the complex relationships between police and drug dealers in Baltimore. It realistically depicts the problems faced by working-class communities in areas like the city’s docks, schools, and government. The second season particularly examines how the decline of the shipping industry affected dockworkers. The series is celebrated for its insightful look at society and its honest portrayal of how institutions break down in modern America. Creator David Simon drew on his background as a journalist to make the story feel authentic and based in real life.

‘Friday Night Lights’ (2006–2011)

This series takes place in a struggling small town in Texas where high school football is everything. It centers on the coach, players, and their families, all of whom see football as their best chance for a brighter future. The show honestly portrays the challenges faced by working-class families in rural areas – things like joblessness and the loss of local businesses – and the weight of everyone’s expectations. It’s known for feeling very real, thanks to its natural-sounding conversations and a filming style that resembles a documentary.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

At the start of the series, Walter White is a high school chemistry teacher who also works at a car wash to make ends meet for his family – his pregnant wife and teenage son. When he’s diagnosed with cancer, and facing financial hardship, he turns to making methamphetamine, a dangerous and illegal drug. The show examines how little support is available to people in need and what someone might do to protect their family financially. It’s a critical look at how easily the American middle class can fall apart, especially with the high cost of medical care. Walter’s journey into crime demonstrates the results of ignoring economic problems and failing to provide for people’s basic needs.

‘The Middle’ (2009–2018)

This sitcom follows the Hecks, a family in Indiana who are just trying to get by. Both parents work hard at jobs like selling cars and assisting at the dentist to make ends meet, even though they constantly face money troubles. The show realistically portrays the challenges of everyday life for working-class families in the Midwest, finding humor in common struggles like broken appliances and school projects. After nine seasons of showing honest and relatable family dynamics, the series ended in 2018.

‘Shameless’ (2011–2021)

The show centers around the Gallagher family and their challenging lives growing up on Chicago’s South Side. Frank Gallagher, an addicted and often absent single father, leaves his six kids to largely raise themselves despite constant money problems. The series explores tough topics like addiction, poverty, and what it takes to survive in a big city, highlighting the resilience and strong bonds within the family. Based on a British show, it became a long-running hit on cable television, lasting eleven seasons.

‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022)

The series is set in Birmingham after World War I and tells the story of the Shelby family’s climb to power. Starting from humble, working-class beginnings in industrial England, they gain considerable political and economic control. The show delves into the complex world of early 20th-century labor movements, the rise of communism, and organized crime. It highlights the determination and ruthlessness needed to overcome social barriers in a deeply divided class system. The historical setting creates a realistic yet visually striking environment for examining class conflict and economic instability.

‘Happy Valley’ (2014–2023)

Happy Valley follows Catherine Cawood, a tough and determined police sergeant working in a struggling town in West Yorkshire, England. The show explores both her work solving crimes and her personal life, which is deeply affected by the loss of her daughter. It offers a realistic and often bleak look at issues like poverty and drug addiction in modern Britain. Known for its compelling characters and authentic depiction of police work and family life, the series has won several BAFTA awards, including recognition for Sarah Lancashire’s outstanding performance.

‘This Is England ’86’ (2010)

This miniseries, a continuation of the film ‘This Is England’, tells the story of a group of young people growing up in Britain during the mid-1980s. It realistically portrays the lives of skinheads and punks at a time when many people were out of work and society was changing. The show follows their struggles to find jobs and how the policies of the Thatcher government affected working-class families. Known for its emotional depth and accuracy, it highlights how shared financial difficulties brought these young people together and shaped their identities. Director Shane Meadows expertly captures the atmosphere of the time.

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)

This series tells the story of how Jimmy McGill became the shady lawyer Saul Goodman, serving as a backstory to ‘Breaking Bad’. The first few seasons show Jimmy trying to establish a real law practice, starting from a small office in a nail salon. The show highlights the differences between lawyers from different backgrounds and how hard it is to climb the ladder in the legal world. Jimmy’s story is about his efforts to succeed in a system that often helps those who are already wealthy and well-connected. Throughout the series, we see how Jimmy slowly starts making questionable choices as he deals with constant money and career problems.

‘Superstore’ (2015–2021)

This comedy series takes place in a large, fictional store called Cloud 9, following the everyday lives of its employees in St. Louis. While funny, the show also tackles real issues faced by retail workers, like the fight for better pay and benefits, and how corporations sometimes take advantage of their employees. The characters come from all walks of life and show what it’s like to work low-wage jobs while dealing with constantly changing company rules. The show is a humorous but pointed look at the modern retail world, often contrasting the positive image companies try to project with the tough realities faced by those on the sales floor.

‘Atlanta’ (2016–2022)

The show centers on Earn Marks, who’s trying to launch his cousin’s rap career while struggling with financial hardship. It realistically portrays the challenges of pursuing success when you’re underemployed in a big city, often mixing insightful social observations with quirky, unexpected humor. The series offers a fresh look at what it means to be Black in the contemporary South, emphasizing the relentless effort and emotional strain of living in an expensive city. Its groundbreaking storytelling and distinctive style have earned it numerous Emmy Awards.

‘Queen Sugar’ (2016–2022)

This series centers on three siblings who come home to Louisiana to take over their father’s sugarcane farm. It follows their journey as they learn the ropes of farming, deal with the challenges of the agricultural world, and grapple with their family’s history in the South. The show vividly portrays the hard work involved in farming, especially for Black landowners facing unique financial difficulties. It’s a visually rich and compelling drama about rural life and the ongoing fight for financial freedom, and it’s remarkable for being directed entirely by women over its seven seasons.

‘One Day at a Time’ (2017–2020)

This show is a fresh take on the traditional family sitcom, centering on a Cuban-American family headed by Penelope Alvarez, a single mother, nurse, and Army veteran. She’s raising two children while also caring for her mother, all in a cozy apartment. The series tackles real-life issues like immigration, challenges faced by veterans getting healthcare, and the everyday struggle with rising costs. It’s a funny and heartwarming look at a strong, multi-generational working-class family, and has been celebrated for its authentic portrayal of the Latinx community and honest depiction of mental health.

‘On My Block’ (2018–2021)

This series follows four friends as they grow up in a tough Los Angeles neighborhood. The show realistically portrays the challenges they face – like gang violence and poverty – while also showcasing their dreams of going to college and building better lives. It’s a funny and heartfelt look at their loyalty and smarts, and how they navigate life in a working-class community. Over four seasons, the show follows them as they struggle with the difficulties of becoming adults.

‘Dopesick’ (2021)

This miniseries tells the story of a Virginia mining town deeply affected by the opioid crisis. It shows how the drug epidemic hurt the town’s workers and economy, focusing on a doctor and his patients—the working-class people he treats for injuries. The series reveals how companies took advantage of vulnerable workers through misleading marketing and a focus on profits. It’s based on in-depth reporting from journalist Beth Macy’s book.

‘Maid’ (2021)

As a film lover, I was really moved by this limited series. It’s based on a true story – a young mom who starts cleaning houses to get away from a bad situation. What struck me most was how realistically it portrayed the struggles of trying to get by in America. It’s not just about the work, but the endless red tape and the sheer difficulty of accessing help when you’re working for low wages. You really feel for the main character, Alex, as she juggles multiple jobs, worries about where she’ll live, and tries to afford childcare. It’s a raw and compassionate look at the lives of people working hard but still barely making ends meet, and it quickly became a huge hit when it first came out.

‘Squid Game’ (2021–Present)

This South Korean thriller follows a group of people deeply in debt who are forced to compete in fatal versions of children’s games, with a huge cash prize offered to the winner. The main character, Seong Gi-hun, embodies the struggles of working-class people facing unemployment and overwhelming debt. The series sharply criticizes the flaws of modern capitalism and the desperation it creates for those with limited economic opportunities, showing how vast inequality can push people to extreme measures just to survive. After its release, the show quickly became a worldwide hit and received widespread critical acclaim.

‘Reservation Dogs’ (2021–2023)

The series centers around four Native American teens growing up on a reservation in rural Oklahoma, all hoping to escape and build a life in California. They hustle to save money through small jobs and sometimes, by bending the rules. The show realistically portrays the financial difficulties and challenges to cultural identity faced by Native communities today, offering a fresh and important look at working-class life and the universal dream of a brighter future. Notably, the entire creative team – writers and directors – is Indigenous, making it a groundbreaking project.

‘Abbott Elementary’ (2021–Present)

This show, presented like a documentary, follows teachers at a Philadelphia public school that doesn’t have enough funding. It showcases how creative and dedicated these teachers are, even though they have limited supplies and an old building. They often spend their own time and money to help their students. The series stresses the need for community support and shines a light on the challenges faced by public school teachers. It’s been highly praised for being realistic and heartwarming.

‘The Bear’ (2022–Present)

Carmen Berzatto, a skilled chef, comes back to Chicago to run his brother’s small, no-frills Italian beef sandwich shop. The show dives into the demanding and stressful world of restaurants, and how it impacts the people who work there. It realistically portrays the challenges of keeping a family business afloat in a changing community, including financial hardship and emotional strain. The series also celebrates the value of hard work and explores the complicated relationships between coworkers in a professional kitchen. Critics have praised its honest look at the culinary scene, as well as its sensitive handling of grief and mental health.

‘Somebody Somewhere’ (2022–Present)

The show follows Sam, a woman in her 40s, as she navigates life and grief in her hometown of Manhattan, Kansas. Working a routine job at a testing center, she’s looking for a sense of community and belonging. It’s a celebration of people who feel like outsiders and the simple beauty of everyday life in the Midwest, focusing on themes of friendship, loss, and finding genuine connections in a small town. The series is inspired by the real life experiences of its star, Bridget Everett.

‘Beef’ (2023)

After a heated road rage encounter, two people become locked in a cycle of escalating, small acts of revenge. The story centers on Danny Cho, a contractor barely making ends meet while living with his brother, and the wealthy man he targets. The series powerfully depicts the frustration and desperation that can arise from financial hardship and unrealized dreams, often leading to rash decisions. It’s been recognized with awards for its compelling performances and unique, innovative storytelling.

‘Blue Lights’ (2023–Present)

This Northern Irish drama series centers on three new police recruits starting their careers in Belfast. It offers a gritty and realistic portrayal of the challenges and dangers of policing in a city marked by a complicated past. The show explores how these officers navigate their jobs while also dealing with personal issues and the expectations of the community they serve. It highlights the personal sacrifices made by those in public service and the difficult ethical choices they often face. Its popularity with both viewers and critics has led to multiple seasons being commissioned.

Share which of these working-class stories resonated with you the most in the comments.

2026-01-22 12:18