Season
Episode
Player server
Parenthood

Parenthood

20107
Drama
Released
Mar 02, 2010
Country
United States
Productions
True Jack ProductionsUniversal TelevisionImagine Entertainment
The trials and tribulations of the very large, colorful and imperfect Braverman family.

About

Quick guide

Parenthood follows the Braverman clan through everyday ups and downs.

The NBC drama chronicles six generations of the Braverman family as they juggle careers, relationships, and personal crises. From Adam’s career shift to Max’s journey with Asperger’s syndrome, the series weaves humor with heartfelt moments, exploring the complexities of modern parenthood without falling into melodrama. While the show tackles serious issues, it remains grounded in relatable family dynamics, keeping the tone accessible yet emotionally resonant.

What to know

  • Six seasons, 103 episodes, each 43 minutes long
  • Central characters include Adam, Sarah, Crosby, Julia and their spouses and children
  • Max Braverman is portrayed as a boy with Asperger’s syndrome
  • The series balances light moments with mature themes such as divorce, adoption and mental health
  • Family dynamics are portrayed across three generations: the patriarch Zeek, his children and grandchildren
  • The show is known for its dialogue‑heavy scenes and character‑driven storytelling
  • It aired on NBC from March 2010 to January 2015, with subsequent streaming on Netflix and Hulu
  • The series received critical praise for its realistic depiction of family life and complex characters

Watch if

If you enjoy character‑centered dramas that blend humor with real‑life issues—especially those highlighting relationships, mental health, and intergenerational stories—Parenthood offers a nuanced, emotionally engaging experience.

Skip if

Skip this show if you prefer fast‑paced action, horror, or supernatural elements; the series is slow‑burn and focuses on everyday family challenges.

family friendlymature themespsychological elementssad tonedialogue heavylight tonelanguage someromance elements
Meet the Bravermans
The series introduces the Braverman clan: patriarch Zeek, his four children Adam, Sarah, Crosby, and Julia, and their partners and children. Their lives intersect in Berkeley, California, setting the stage for intergenerational drama and humor. Each character brings distinct aspirations, making the family dynamic rich and relatable.
Season 1 Highlights
Season one sets up key storylines: Adam’s shift into a new career, Sarah’s single motherhood, Crosby’s music ambitions, and Julia’s legal career. It also introduces Max’s Asperger’s diagnosis, adding depth to the family’s challenges and sparking conversations about neurodiversity.
Character Arcs
Throughout the series, characters evolve: Adam balances fatherhood and career, Sarah navigates love and motherhood, Crosby faces career setbacks, and Julia deals with adoption and work pressure. These arcs maintain authenticity while highlighting personal growth.
Family Themes
Core themes include the strain of balancing work and family, the impact of mental health on relationships, and the support system inherent in family bonds. The show emphasizes empathy, communication, and resilience as central pillars.
Real‑Life Issues
The series tackles topics such as autism, divorce, cancer, and financial strain. These issues are woven into the plot, providing viewers with realistic portrayals of modern family struggles without sensationalism.
Audience Reception
Critics praised the show for its heartfelt storytelling and strong performances, especially highlighting the portrayal of Max’s Asperger’s. While the series struggled to retain high ratings, it maintained a loyal fan base appreciative of its authenticity.
Where to Watch
Parenthood is currently available on Hulu and select streaming platforms, allowing new audiences to experience the series from its 2010 premiere to its 2015 finale.

FAQ

80 Q&A
Who plays the role of Adam Braverman?
Peter Krause plays Adam Braverman.
What is the Braverman family tree?
The Braverman family includes Zeek and Camille as the elders, their children Adam, Crosby, and Sarah, and their children's children, including Max, Haddie, Amber, Drew, Jabbar, Nora, and Sydney.
Who plays the role of Victor Graham?
Victor Graham is not a main character in Parenthood. There might be a misunderstanding.
Who plays the role of Joel Graham?
Ray Romano plays Joel Graham.
Who plays the role of Max Braverman?
Max Burkholder plays Max Braverman.
What is the name of Julia's daughter?
Julia's daughter is named Sydney Graham.
What is the name of Adam and Kristina's son?
Adam and Kristina's son is named Norah Braverman.
Who plays the role of Julia Braverman-Graham?
Erika Christensen plays Julia Braverman-Graham.
Who plays the role of Sarah Braverman?
Lauren Graham plays Sarah Braverman.
Who plays the role of Mark Cyr?
Jason Ritter plays Mark Cyr.
Who plays the role of Drew Holt?
Xavier Samuel plays Drew Holt.
What is the main theme of Parenthood?
The main theme of Parenthood is the complexities and joys of family life.
Who plays the role of Amber Holt?
Mae Whitman plays Amber Holt.
What is the name of Amber's son?
Amber's son is named Leo.
Who are the main families in the show?
The main families are the Bravermans and the Grahams.
Who plays the role of Haddie Braverman?
Sarah Ramos plays Haddie Braverman.
What is the name of Julia's son?
Julia's son is named Victor Graham.
What is the name of Crosby's son?
Crosby's son is named Jabbar.
Who plays the role of Sydney Graham?
Joanna García Swisher plays Sydney Graham.
Who plays the role of Crosby Braverman?
Dax Shepard plays Crosby Braverman.
Who plays the role of Camille Braverman?
Bonnie Bedelia plays Camille Braverman.
Who plays the role of Zeek Braverman?
Craig T. Nelson plays Zeek Braverman.
What is the name of Sarah's daughter?
Sarah's daughter is named Amber Holt.
Who plays the role of Jasmine Trussell?
Joy Bryant plays Jasmine Trussell.
Who plays the role of Kristina Braverman?
Monica Potter plays Kristina Braverman.
What illness does Max Braverman have?
Max Braverman has Asperger's syndrome.
How does the series end for Zeek and Camille?
Zeek and Camille decide to travel the world.
What is the name of Sarah's boyfriend?
Sarah's main boyfriend is Mark.
What is the name of Haddie's boyfriend?
Haddie's boyfriend is Alex.
Where was Parenthood filmed?
Parenthood was filmed in Los Angeles, California.
How does the series end for Amber and Ryan?
Amber and Ryan get married and have a baby.
What are the major plot points in season 4?
Season 4 focuses on the family dealing with Kristina's cancer, Adam's job loss, and Hank and Sarah's relationship.
What challenges do Adam and Kristina face with Max?
Adam and Kristina face challenges in helping Max navigate school and social situations due to his Asperger's.
How does the series end for Adam and Kristina?
Adam and Kristina decide to open a charter school.
How does the series end for Julia and Joel?
Julia and Joel reconcile and decide to stay together.
How does the series end for Max?
Max graduates high school and goes to college.
What is the name of Amber's boyfriend?
Amber's boyfriend is Ryan.
What challenges do Crosby and Jasmine face?
Crosby and Jasmine face challenges with their son Jabbar's schooling and their differing parenting styles.
What are the major plot points in season 1?
Season 1 introduces the Braverman family and their individual struggles, including Max's diagnosis, Sarah's return home, and Julia's demanding career.
How does the series end for Sarah?
Sarah finds love with Hank and accepts a job as a photographer.
What is the name of Adam's business partner?
Adam's business partner is Crosby.
What are the major plot points in season 2?
Season 2 deals with Crosby and Jasmine's relationship, Julia's pregnancy, and Haddie's decision to go to college.
What challenges do Julia and Joel face?
Julia and Joel face challenges balancing their demanding careers with their family life and marital issues.
What are the major plot points in season 5?
Season 5 centers on Zeek's health issues, Adam and Kristina's new school venture, and Sarah's relationship with Hank.
What challenges do Sarah and Amber face?
Sarah and Amber face challenges related to their careers, relationships, and finding their place in the family.
How does the series end for Crosby and Jasmine?
Crosby and Jasmine remain together and focus on their family and music.
What are the major plot points in season 3?
Season 3 explores Amber's struggles as a young adult, Drew's college ambitions, and the family dealing with financial difficulties.
What is the name of Max's girlfriend?
Max's girlfriend is Dylan.
What is the name of Crosby's business partner?
Crosby's business partner is Adam.
How does the series end for Drew?
Drew graduates high school and prepares to go to college.
How many seasons of Parenthood are there?
There are six seasons of Parenthood.
What awards did Parenthood win or get nominated for?
Parenthood received nominations for awards like the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Television Awards.
How did the show portray relatable family issues?
The show explored common family struggles like parenting, career changes, and growing up.
When did Parenthood first air?
Parenthood first aired on March 2, 2010.
Who directed most of the episodes?
While many directors worked on the show, no single director helmed the majority of episodes.
What is the difference between the TV series and the movie Parenthood?
The TV series expanded on the movie's themes, following the Braverman family over a longer period.
What inspired the TV series Parenthood?
The TV series was inspired by the 1989 film of the same name.
What is the relationship between the characters Amber and Drew?
Amber and Drew are cousins.
Did the showrunners plan the ending from the start?
The showrunners aimed to create a meaningful ending that reflected the show's themes.
What is the overall message of Parenthood?
The show's message is about the importance of family and supporting each other through life's ups and downs.
What is the relationship between the characters Jasmine and Crosby?
Jasmine and Crosby are married and have a son together.
Does Parenthood have any spin-offs?
Parenthood does not have any official spin-offs.
Were there any behind-the-scenes changes during filming?
Information about specific behind-the-scenes changes during filming is not readily available in a summarized format.
What is the significance of the Braverman house?
The Braverman house served as a central gathering place for the family, symbolizing their connection and shared history.
What challenges did the writers face in developing the characters?
Writers aimed to create believable characters facing realistic family issues.
What is the significance of the song 'Forever Young' in the show?
The song 'Forever Young' became an emotional anthem for the series, often used to underscore key moments of family connection and growth.
What is the relationship between the characters Zeek and Camille?
Zeek and Camille are the parents of the Braverman siblings and the matriarch and patriarch of the family.
What were some memorable guest stars on Parenthood?
Notable guest stars included Matt Lauria and Sprague Grayden.
How did the actors prepare for their roles?
Actors often focused on building chemistry and understanding the complex dynamics of the Braverman family.
When did Parenthood end?
Parenthood ended on January 29, 2015.
What was the reaction to the series finale?
The series finale was generally well-received for providing a fitting and emotional conclusion to the family's story.
What is the relationship between the characters Julia and Joel?
Julia and Joel were married and had two children, facing marital challenges throughout the series.
What is the relationship between the characters Hank and Sarah?
Hank and Sarah were in a romantic relationship.
What is the relationship between the characters Adam and Kristina?
Adam and Kristina are married with three children, navigating the challenges of raising a family and personal aspirations.
What is the relationship between the characters Max and Haddie?
Max and Haddie were siblings.
What themes are explored in the later seasons?
Later seasons of Parenthood explore themes of growing older, facing mortality, and finding new purpose in life as children grow up and parents age. The show also delves into the complexities of adult relationships and the challenges of maintaining family bonds through difficult times.
What network aired Parenthood?
Parenthood aired on the NBC television network.
What new challenges do Kristina and Adam face in their later years?
In their later years, Kristina and Adam face challenges such as Adam's midlife crisis, Kristina's cancer diagnosis and recovery, and navigating their children's transitions into adulthood, including college and careers.
How did the show handle sensitive topics like cancer and addiction?
Parenthood handled sensitive topics like cancer and addiction with realism and emotional depth, showing the struggles and triumphs of characters dealing with these issues and their impact on the entire family.
How does the family cope with Zeek's health issues?
The family copes with Zeek's health issues by coming together to support him, making difficult decisions about his care, and cherishing the time they have left with him, while also dealing with their own emotional responses to his declining health.

Actors

Peter Krause
Peter Krause
Adam Braverman
Lauren Graham
Lauren Graham
Sarah Braverman
Dax Shepard
Dax Shepard
Crosby Braverman
Erika Christensen
Erika Christensen
Julia Braverman-Graham
Monica Potter
Monica Potter
Kristina Braverman
Sam Jaeger
Sam Jaeger
Joel Graham
Joy Bryant
Joy Bryant
Jasmine Trussell
Mae Whitman
Mae Whitman
Amber Holt
Miles Heizer
Miles Heizer
Drew Holt
Max Burkholder
Max Burkholder
Max Braverman
Savannah Paige Rae
Savannah Paige Rae
Sydney Graham
Tyree Brown
Tyree Brown
Jabbar Trussell