I was scrolling through Netflix recently when a specific category of content caught my eye. No, it was not “Emotional Independent Dramas for Hopeless Romantics” or “Reality Competition Shows About Twins” (though both really called out to me). It was a category that should not be its own category, because it should not be a unique or niche brand of entertainment. It was “TV Shows Featuring a Strong Female Lead”. At first glance, I was tickled with pride. Here lies an easy way to find shows that I'll enjoy, shows that portray women as the badass ladies that they are. But at the same time, it irked me. My inner feminist lioness (we each have our own, like a spirit animal or Harry Potter patroness) roared with indignation. It bothered me to see the classification of strong women as a separate genre, because I desperately want to live in a world where that sort of distinction is not warranted.
Society still necessitates the singling out of female dominance and prowess because unfortunately, even in the fictional realities of film and television, it is not the norm. I am of course thrilled to find a category of entertainment that features strong, awesome ladies, but it makes me frustrated because it just goes to show that we still have a long road ahead of us. Representation in the media of the female experience is still subpar. We need to see more strong, complex, flawed, unique female characters on screen who are portrayed as complete and valuable human beings!
So, in honor of this Netflix category and it's attempt to promote female bad-assery, here are some suggestions to start you off on your journey into shows "Featuring a Strong Female Lead". (Note: these are mostly comedies, because hey, sometimes you need a little cheering up when the patriarchy got you down).
1. "Veep"
Julia-Louise Dreyfus as Vice President Selina Myers. "If men could get pregnant you could get an abortion at an ATM."
(Watch via: HBOGo)
2. "Broad City"
Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, fittingly as, Abbi and Ilana. "YAS KWEEN!"
(Watch via: Hulu or ComedyCentral)
3. "Gilmore Girls"
Lauren Grahm and Alexis Bledel as Lorelei and Rory Gilmore "I can be flexible. As long as everything is excatly the way I want it, I'm totally flexible." (Cue squeals of joy because the revival is actually happening).
(Watch via: Netflix)
4. "Parks and Recreation"
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope. "If I had to have a stripper's name it would be Equality."
(Watch via: Netflix)
5. Marvel's Jessica Jones
Krysten Ritter as—you guessed it—Jessica Jones. "My greatest weakness? Occasionally, I give a damn."
(Watch via: Netflix)
6. "Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23"
Krysten Ritter (who gets two mentions in this list for a drama and a comedy, proving women really can have it all) as Chloe. "If I had time to worry about every person who admired, imitated or stalked me, I wouldn't have time to be my fabulous self."
(Watch via: Netflix)
7. "Ugly Betty"
America Ferrera as Betty Suarez. "My second day here you tricked me into eating glue by telling me it was white chocolate!"
(Watch via: Hulu)
8. "30 Rock"
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon. "I support women! I'm like a human bra."
(Watch via: Netflix)
9. "Damages"
Glenn Close and Rose Byrnes as Patty Hewes and Ellen Parsons. "Rage without focus isn't a strategy."
(Watch via: Netflix)
10. "Veronica Mars"
Kristin Bell as Veronica Mars. "I hope we're still friends after I taser you."
(Watch via: Hulu)
11. "The Fall"
Gillian Anderson as Stella Gibson. "The media loves to divide women into virgins or vamps, angels or whores. Let's not encourage them."
(Watch via: Netflix)
