Getting On (2013)
HBO's darkly comic, deeply human portrait of life — and death — in a forgotten hospital geriatric ward.
Getting On - Series Information
- First Air Year: 2013
- Last Air Year: 2015
- Created by: Mark V. Olsen, Will Scheffer
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 18
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: November 24, 2013 (United States - TV-MA), November 24, 2013 (Canada - 14+), November 24, 2013 (Germany - 18), November 24, 2013 (France - 18), November 24, 2013 (India - U), November 24, 2013 (Australia - MA 15+), November 24, 2013 (Brazil - 16), November 24, 2013 (Mexico - B-15), November 24, 2013 (Spain - 16), November 24, 2013 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: HBO
- Production Companies: HBO, Anima Sola Productions, BBC Worldwide, BBC Worldwide Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Getting On - Plot
Set in a geriatric extended care wing of a down-at-the-heels hospital, Getting On follows put-upon nurses, anxious doctors and administrators as they struggle with the darkly comic, brutally honest and quietly compassionate realities of caring for the elderly.
Getting On - Trailer
See what awaits in the geriatric ward with the official Getting On trailer.
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Getting On - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Mark V. Olsen
- Will Scheffer
Main Cast
- Laurie Metcalf
- Alex Borstein
- Niecy Nash-Betts
- Mel Rodriguez
- Brandon Fobbs
- Ann Morgan Guilbert
- Mark Harelik
- Lindsey Kraft
- Joel Johnstone
- Patricia Scanlon
Writers
- Will Scheffer
- Mark V. Olsen
Executive Producers
- Geoff Atkinson
- Vicki Pepperdine
- Joanna Scanlan
- Mark V. Olsen
- Jo Brand
Getting On - FAQs
Is Getting On based on a true story or original?
Getting On is an American remake of a British BBC series of the same name, created by Jo Brand, Joanna Scanlan, and Vicki Pepperdine. The HBO adaptation transplants the story to a Long Beach, California hospital, reimagining the original's unflinching look at geriatric care for an American audience.
What makes Getting On different from other hospital comedies?
Unlike glossy medical dramas or broad hospital sitcoms, Getting On zeroes in on the unglamorous reality of end-of-life care. It blends dark humor with genuine compassion, finding absurdity and humanity in equal measure among overworked nurses and overwhelmed administrators in a neglected geriatric ward.
Where can you stream Getting On?
Getting On is available to stream on Max (formerly HBO Max), including through the HBO Max Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own it, episodes can be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Who are the main cast members of Getting On?
The series stars Laurie Metcalf as Dr. Jenna James, Alex Borstein as nurse Dawn Forchette, and Niecy Nash-Betts as nurse Didi Ortley. Supporting cast includes Mel Rodriguez, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Mark Harelik, Lindsey Kraft, Joel Johnstone, Brandon Fobbs, and Mary Kay Place.
Did Getting On receive critical acclaim during its run?
Getting On earned strong critical praise throughout its three-season run, with particular admiration for its ensemble performances. Laurie Metcalf, Alex Borstein, and Niecy Nash-Betts each received Emmy Award nominations, and the show was widely celebrated for its rare, unsentimental honesty about aging and end-of-life care.
Why did Getting On end after only three seasons?
HBO chose not to renew Getting On after its third season in 2015, concluding the series at 18 episodes. The creators, Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer, had crafted a tightly focused story, and the show's limited scope made a natural conclusion feel appropriate rather than abrupt.
Is Getting On worth watching for fans of dark comedy?
Absolutely. Getting On is a gem for viewers who appreciate comedy that dares to sit with discomfort. Its short 18-episode run makes it an easy commitment, and the performances — especially Metcalf and Nash-Betts — are outstanding. It's funny, sad, and quietly profound in ways few shows manage.
What shows are similar to Getting On?
Fans of Getting On often enjoy Derek (Ricky Gervais's tender care-home comedy), Green Wing (a surreal British hospital comedy), and Scrubs for its blend of humor and heart. Grace and Frankie and St. Denis Medical also share Getting On's warmth toward characters navigating difficult institutional environments.
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