Olive Kitteridge (2014)
A haunting HBO miniseries about a prickly, unforgettable New England woman whose sharp edges conceal a deeply feeling heart.
Olive Kitteridge - Series Information
- Original Title: Olive Kitteridge
- First Air Year: 2014
- Last Air Year: 2014
- Created by: Jane Anderson
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 4
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: November 2, 2014 (United States - TV-14), November 2, 2014 (Canada - G), November 2, 2014 (Germany - 16), November 2, 2014 (France - 10), November 2, 2014 (India - U), November 2, 2014 (Australia - M), November 2, 2014 (Brazil - 16), November 2, 2014 (Mexico - D), November 2, 2014 (Spain - 16), November 2, 2014 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: HBO
- Production Companies: HBO, As Is Productions, Playtone
- Production Countries: United States of America
Olive Kitteridge - Plot
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.
Olive Kitteridge - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Crosby, Maine come to life:
There's no such thing as a simple life.
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Olive Kitteridge - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Jane Anderson
Main Cast
- Frances McDormand
- Richard Jenkins
- Zoe Kazan
- Rosemarie DeWitt
- Martha Wainwright
- John Gallagher Jr.
- John T. Mullen
- Ann Dowd
- Jesse Plemons
- Bill Murray
Executive Producers
- Frances McDormand
- Tom Hanks
- Gary Goetzman
- Steven Shareshian
- Jane Anderson
Olive Kitteridge - FAQs
Is Olive Kitteridge based on a true story?
Olive Kitteridge is not based on a true story. It adapts Elizabeth Strout's Pulitzer Prize-winning 2008 novel of the same name, a collection of interconnected short stories set in the fictional coastal town of Crosby, Maine. The characters and events are entirely fictional, though deeply rooted in authentic New England life.
Is Olive Kitteridge worth watching?
Absolutely worth your time. Olive Kitteridge earned near-universal critical acclaim and swept the Emmy Awards, winning eight including Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Lead Actress for Frances McDormand. Its quiet, devastating portrait of a difficult woman navigating love, regret, and mortality is some of the finest television drama of the decade.
What did Olive Kitteridge win at the Emmy Awards?
Olive Kitteridge dominated the 2015 Emmy Awards, winning eight trophies in total. These included Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Lead Actress for Frances McDormand, Outstanding Lead Actor for Richard Jenkins, Outstanding Supporting Actress for Zoe Kazan, and Outstanding Directing for Lisa Cholodenko, among others.
Where can you stream Olive Kitteridge?
Olive Kitteridge is available to stream on HBO Max and 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 directed the Olive Kitteridge miniseries?
All four episodes of Olive Kitteridge were directed by Lisa Cholodenko, known for her acclaimed film The Kids Are All Right. Her direction was widely praised for its restraint and emotional precision, earning her the Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series.
Why is Frances McDormand's performance in Olive Kitteridge so praised?
McDormand inhabits Olive with extraordinary complexity, refusing to soften the character's abrasiveness while revealing the grief and love buried beneath. She portrays Olive across 25 years with remarkable physical and emotional range, earning the Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for the role — a career-defining television performance.
Where was Olive Kitteridge filmed?
Olive Kitteridge was filmed on location in Maine, primarily in and around the town of Camden and the surrounding coastal communities. The production leaned heavily into the rugged, grey beauty of the New England landscape, which becomes an essential part of the miniseries' melancholic atmosphere.
What are similar shows to Olive Kitteridge?
If Olive Kitteridge resonated with you, Empire Falls (2005) offers a similarly intimate portrait of small-town New England life. For character-driven drama with complex women at the centre, Big Little Lies and Mare of Easttown share its emotional depth and prestige HBO pedigree.
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