15 TV Shows About Fearless, Powerful Women
From ‘Grace and Frankie’ to ‘The Good Wife,’ these TV series prove that there’s no age limit to feeling—and being—powerful and fearless
The current television landscape is teeming with portrayals of women of all kinds—strong, angry, brave, scared, smart, flawed—and of all ages. On One Day at a Time, there are multiple generations of incredible women, from their matriarch Lydia Riera to her daughter Lupe and granddaughter Elena Alvarez. On Killing Eve, there’s Eve and Villanelle, an MI6 agent and an assassin who become obsessed with each other. On Pose, there’s Blanca Evangelista, the HIV-positive “mother” of House Evangelista in New York City ball culture.
Gone (mostly) are the days when the woman is just the daughter, or the mother, or the wife. More and more women are filling writer’s rooms, and more and more people are asking—no, demanding—that women on television are written in more thoughtful and in-depth ways. Below, we’ve rounded up a list of TV shows that champion the women at the center of their narratives, hopping from one genre to another. Whether you’re looking for a light-hearted comedy or a gritty crime drama, if you’re in the mood to see women kick ass, we’ve got you covered.
Shows about Fearless, Powerful Women
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Grace and Frankie
In Grace and Frankie, two former frenemies navigate their new life together in a beach house in La Jolla, California after their respective husbands leave them for each other. It’s a story about female friendship and the “Third Act”—the last few chapters of your life; the one that comes after marriage, children, and divorce. Grace (Jane Fonda) and Frankie (Lily Tomlin)’s include a vibrator business, new love interests, and being with each other through thick, thin, and knee replacements. Grace and Frankie is available to stream on Netflix.
Tales of the City
Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City first became a miniseries in the 1990s, starring Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis. In 2019, the series was revived with an older Mary Ann Singleton visiting 28 Barbary Lane, the apartment complex in San Francisco owned by Anna Madrigal, known lovingly by the complex’s residents as Mrs. Madrigal. She is a great example of a woman in her prime—proof that a woman’s “prime” doesn’t just mean her young adulthood, as Mrs. Madrigal continues to slay even as a nonagenarian. Tales of the City is available to stream on Netflix.
Dead to Me
In Dead to Me, an unexpected and unlikely friendship forms between Jen (Christina Applegate) and Judy (Linda Cardellini) after the death of Jen’s husband. It explores the two women’s friendship, and shows two different kinds of female grief—one that is angrier and more hateful, and another that is more forlorn and desolate, but are both incredibly valid, nonetheless. The way Jen and Judy grieve is linked to their personalities, and the show gives its women characters permission to be their authentic selves. Dead to Me is available to stream on Netflix.
Good Girls
Good Girls stars Christina Hendricks, Retta, and Mae Whitman, and tells the story of three ordinary suburban moms who end up robbing banks and making counterfeit money as they find themselves strapped for cash. Of course, it’s a lot more complicated than that, as law enforcement and the city’s gang leader become involved in their business, but it’s still, in its own way, an empowering tale about the capabilities of women—no matter how strange and twisted. Good Girls is available to stream on Netflix.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Australian drama Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is based on Kerry Greenwood’s historical mystery novels, and stars Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher, a glamorous private detective in 1920s Melbourne. She’s plucky and determined to solve every crime she comes across, while still exuding class and charisma. 50-year old Essie Davis’s casting as Phryne is especially wonderful, considering Miss Fisher is in her late 20s, only going to show that age is nothing but a number. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is available to stream on Netflix.
House of Cards
A lot of viewers may have started watching House of Cards because of Kevin Spacey, but its final season with Robin Wright at the helm proves the importance of—and need for—stories with women at the center. House of Cards is the story of the Underwoods; Frank is passed on to be the Secretary of State, and so with the help of his ambitious wife Claire, hatch a plan to attain power. Throughout the show, Claire displays remarkable ruthlessness and fearlessness. House of Cards is available to stream on Netflix.
Damages
In Damages, Glenn Close plays the brilliant—and ruthless—lawyer, Patty Hewes. She is joined by Rose Byrne as Ellen Parsons, Patty’s newest protégée, and together, they embark on major, high-stake cases. Close’s character has been conceived as “woman who commands power and influence in a male-dominated world,” and that much is seen in every scene she’s part of. Ellen Parsons, on the other hand, goes from naïve and idealistic to sophisticated and ruthless throughout the course of the series. Damages is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Hot in Cleveland
Hot in Cleveland may just be a half-hour multi-camera sitcom, perfect for mindless TV-watching, but that doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable, nor is it devoid of any life lessons, especially for women of a certain age. After finding themselves in the Midwest during their plane’s emergency landing en route to Paris, three middle-aged best friends make a home out of Cleveland, where they are finally considered hot (despite, or maybe because of, their age). They are joined by Elka, played by the great Betty White, as they date men and navigate life together. Hot in Cleveland is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Little Fires Everywhere
A miniseries based on the novel by Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere stars Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington as Elena Richardson and Mia Warren—a landlady who works as a writer for the local paper, and her artist tenant, respectively. Even as Elena is set up to be the book and the show’s villain, she is a fascinating woman to watch, and a reminder that women don’t always have to be perfect—or even likable—to be great fictional characters. Little Fires Everywhere is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
The Good Wife / The Good Fight
In The Good Wife, Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies, for all you ER fans), the wife of a disgraced State’s Attorney, Peter Florrick (Chris Noth, or Mr. Big, for those who love Sex and the City) stands by her husband, and after his incarceration returns to the workforce as a junior associate at a law firm. The show explores her struggles as a career woman, a mother, a wife separated from her husband, and a friend. Alicia is independent, aloof, and incredibly smart. In its spinoff The Good Fight, viewers are invited to focus on Diane Lockhart, a name partner at the firm Alicia worked at. A liberal, Diane champions women’s causes and is a mentor to younger women at her firm. The Good Wife and The Good Fight are available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Mrs. Fletcher
Mrs. Fletcher tells the story of Eve Fletcher, a middle-aged divorcée and empty nester, as her only son leaves for college. Alone and lonely, she discovers her sexuality, and viewers are taken on a passionate and lustful journey with Eve in her conquests and realizations. Mrs. Fletcher is a interesting and fascinating take at something a lot of shows don’t put on display: older female sexuality. Mrs. Fletcher is available to stream on HBO Go.
Enlightened
In Enlightened, Laura Dern showcases her acting chops as Amy Jellicoe, a buyer at Abaddonn Industries who experiences a nervous breakdown and thus must go to rehab. When she returns, she is given a less important job, and considers being a whistleblower against her company. Ambitious, socially awkward, and a trainwreck all-around, Amy Jellicoe is another example that women don’t have to be perfect to be interesting. Enlightened is available to stream on HBO Go.
Big Little Lies
At this point, who hasn’t seen at least the first season of Big Little Lies? It’s become an important show of the cultural zeitgeist, and for good reason. The drama that involves the housewives of Monterey Bay is juicy, interesting, and explosive, and the women are catty, cliquish, and at times cruel, but when it comes to defending other women against violent men, they show up for each other and sometimes that’s all that matters. Big Little Lies is available to stream on HBO Go, though we recommend skipping the second season.
Jett
Carlo Gugino plays Daisy “Jett” Kowalski, a “world-class thief” who is released from prison and is forced back into a life of crime. (‘Forced’ may be too strong a word—she was, on her own, quite willing.) Outwardly aloof and cold, she only shows real emotion around her daughter, and is a captivating portrait of a morally grey woman. Jett is available to stream on HBO Go.
Call Me Tita
iWant’s original series, Call Me Tita, stars some of local show business’s most talented and celebrated players, from Lorna Tolentino to Cherry Pie Picache. Joined by Agot Isidro, Joanna Ampil, Mylene Dizon, and Angelica Panganiban, Call Me Tita tenderly and lovingly tells the story of friends coming to terms with getting older, and all that comes with it: surprising pronouncements from children, new loves, and more. Call Me Tita is available to stream on iWant.
Photos from IMdB
