10 TV Sitcom Characters With Shockingly Dark Backstories
3. Kimmy Schmidt - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a TV show about a woman who was kidnapped at a young age by a madman who locked her (and three other girls) in a bunker and told them the world had ended. Eventually, she and the others broke free and returned to the real world. As you can tell, it was a deep and nuanced drama that rivalled even the likes of Breaking Bad. Oh, wait, it's a comedy? What?!
Yes, this sitcom probably takes the cake for one of the darkest set-ups in comedy, which is highly amusing as it's one of the goofiest and most upbeat shows on the market. It's irreverent, brightly colourful, full of feminist tones and charming to the nth degree. A major part of that is the sheer loveability of Kimmy herself.
Despite her past being so tragic you'd think she was written by Darren Aronofsky, Kimmy is a woman with an infectiously sunny disposition. Being locked up in a bunker would cause most people to fear everything and everyone, but this titular character has an inspiring thirst for life. That solid writing - and the stellar performance from Ellie Kemper - make this delightfully zany series something to behold.