A rare example of a show that ran as long as it should and ended well.
I enjoy Kingdom. There are no evil people in it, the main character is a kindly lawyer who not only helps with his clients’ legal issues but helps them become better people as well.
If isn’t Christmas Story, then no I will not watch anything sans murder, mayhem or grape.
Misread. NM.
I’ve pivoted away from broadcast TV since I’ve canceled cable and mainly watch YT episodes of people doing things outside. I guess their channels have been monetized and they get extra cash from their Patreons who subscribe but it’s a simple self sufficient life among the women and men who are the Solo sailors and Solo backpackers I watch.
See Post 23 
This was a UK show starring Stephen Fry as a small-town solicitor. Though it was a very nice show, I think it was cancelled before a couple of long-standing plot elements were resolved.
If you’re up for comedies, I don’t think anyone has yet recommended The Good Place, which is fantastic. It’s serious and though-provoking while still being funny, but manages that without ever really getting dark.
The other two “best comedies” of the past 5 years or so, imho, are Fleabag and Bojack Horseman. But both do go dark, and have death and sadness and so forth.
For dramas, it’s harder to find ones that are really top-notch without any darkness. I second Somebody, Somewhere.
See Posts 56 and 58
Fleabag is one of my recommendations above. It’s all about effed-up relationships, but no murder, mayhem, or rape–but plenty of people treating each other terribly.
I didn’t recommend Bojack Horseman, because I think there is some murder, mayhem, or rape, or some combination thereof. It’s been a while since I watched it, so I can’t be sure just going from memory.
It’s a cartoon–I don’t know whether that makes a difference. It’s a very dark, adult cartoon, with a heavy focus on emotional abuse of children and adults (maybe some physical abuse also), PTSD, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, and a ton of really heavy stuff. With jokes.
Well, the entire first season (this is not a meaningful spoiler) revolves around the main character’s depression over the recent death of her best friend… so not technically murder or mayhem or rape, but might not be what the OP is looking for (despite being AMAZING).
The absolute opposite of ‘mayhem’.
The Flying Witch, a Japanese anime series, a good, gentle example of the Iyashikei or “healing” genre.
As you might guess, these are known for primarily or entirely being devoid of murder, mayhem, etc. Usually plenty of cooking and light gardening, though.
I really like the Great Pottery Throwdown, a reality art show on HBO. It’s cool seeing all the personalities and what people come up with and the judge usually cries when something inspires him.
I enjoyed The Kominsky Method on Netflix. A couple of off screen old people deaths but no mayhem.
Both the British and American series of Ghosts. Yes, the backstory of some of the ghosts are murder, but they’re only mentioned in backstory episodes and not in a dramatic or gruesome manner.
Yes, skip them if you want absolutely no murder, but you’ll be missing out.
For those who recommended Detectorists and Corner Gas - thank you very much!
Detectorists is a wonderful show.
I haven’t seen Corner Gas. Anyone know what service carries it in the U.S.?
We are watching it on Freevee.
The Station Agent (2003 rent on Prime or free on Showtime))