Dead to Me was a crime comedy-drama that was produced by and streaming on Netflix. This black comedy centered on the unlikely friendship of Jen (Christina Applegate), a sarcastic widow in Laguna Beach whose husband died in a mysterious hit-and-run, and Judy (Linda Cardellini), whom she meets at a grief support group. Judy is notable for often wearing modern bohemian fare, from long brown tresses to patterned maxi dresses.
Judy emerges as a fascinating character with unexpected complexities, capable of both endearing and morally questionable actions. Despite her generally sunny and optimistic demeanor, she possesses a streak of quirkiness and can resort to fibbing or lashing out when under pressure. As viewers, we come to realize that she is not merely a "lying bi" stereotype, but rather a product of her tumultuous relationship with her emotionally abusive ex-fiancé, Steve (James Marsden). Despite her involvement in manslaughter, Judy ultimately demonstrates a loving heart and kind nature.
In the press, Morales and Dead To Me creator Liz Feldman (an out lesbian) both spoke about the importance of highlighting this type of queer relationship as well as why it is important to have casual queerness appear on screen.
Morales for Queerty:
I am very thankful [to play another queer character] when it is accurate representation. And with Dead to Me, what I love so much … it was important to her [Feldman] that it felt real and authentic, and that the relationship didn’t feel forced. And I really love being a part of that. And anytime there’s good representation for us on TV or in movies, it just helps to continue to normalize this for people who are watching it, especially on a super popular show like Dead to Me.
Feldman, in an interview with Refinery29:
I intentionally didn't want it to make it like, 'This is Judy's coming out,’ or like, ‘This is a very special episode about learning what fluidity is.’ There’s never a conversation about ‘What does this mean for you? What does this say about you?' It doesn't say anything. It is what it is. It is the fictionalized embodiment of love is love.
While not covered in our original Unicorn Scale review, Michelle (Natalie Morales) does reappear in the third and final season, eschewing any naysayers that Michelle’s character was only around to establish Judy’s bisexuality and not actually an important part of the overall storyline. Unfortunately, Dead To Me does eventually fall into the #KillYourGays trope as Judy eventually is diagnosed with cancer, which even after treatment is deemed terminal, and on a trip to Mexico to live out the rest of her life in dignity, and steals the family boat to go out into the ocean and die by her own terms.
While Dead To Me does get points for showing a sweet and loving queer relationship and actually casting a bi person as a bi character, we wish the show didn’t play the “no labels” game (which inordinately comes about specifically with bi characters) and actually let Judy use the b-word to describe her sexual orientation. Still, casual queerness certainly has its place — and is particularly delightful in a show that can go as dark in its matters as Dead To Me did.