This Women’s Day is a time to watch powerful ladies work their magic on your television screens. Recent years have gifted us with epic leading women in television series who have not only earned respect with their flawless acting chops — but whose characters have been inspiring and entertaining. Here are our personal favourite characters to watch to celebrate the day dedicated to womanhood!
Annalise Keating — How to Get Away With Murder
Who doesn’t know Viola Davis’ portrayal of Annalise Keating, the hardened law professor who is as ambitious and cut-throat as it can get. She is filled with righteousness which shows in her protectiveness of her students. Her progress from small beginnings to becoming a respected, even feared, lawyer makes her one of the toughest leading ladies on television.
The clones — Orphan Black
Orphan Black is arguably one of the best thought-out science fiction shows in television with a ton of plot twists. What makes the series even better is Tatiana Maslany playing multiple clones with finesse. The clones are all distinct, powerful and multi-dimensional at a time when we’re grasping for more than just a pretty face as a TV leading lady. Watch this for action-packed, complex storylines.
liv moore — IZombie
The plot may seem strange at first, especially for zombie lovers — a coroner turns zombie and eats the bodies’ brains to gain their memories so she can investigate foul play in their deaths. But Rose Iver’s portrayal of said zombie, Liv Moore, makes the show seem even plausible. Her search for the truth while also having to juggle relationships she maintained while she was fully alive make for an entertaining watch.
Mindy — The Mindy Project
Mindy Kaling can probably be called the reigning queen of television comedy at the moment, with her hilarious writing and impeccable acting skills that make all us ladies relate. The Mindy Project revolves around gynecologist Mindy, her love life and the trouble she gets into, all the while being head-strong and confident in herself. Considering she’s one of the few Indian-origin women leading her own show, Mindy has been able to create a space for herself that people now vie for.
Zelda Fitzgerald — Z: The Beginning of Everything
The newest kid on the block is Z: The Beginning of Everything, also marking the return of renowned actress Christina Ricci in the lead! The story revolves around the real-life story of commanding personality, Zelda Fitzgerald — the wife of author F Scott Fitzgerald. It promises to delve into her life, how she became an icon of the Jazz Age, their relationship and how the author may have stolen from her works. Since it’s released recently, it has gotten rave reviews and that’s cause enough to check out the show.
Angie — Angie Tribeca
When Angie Tribeca was announced, people were apprehensive about a new Naked Gun-esque comedy show but it’s safe to say, that Rashida Jones has proved all of them wrong. Rashida plays a cop who is still looking for answers for her mother’s murder, all the while taking charge at work. The show is a laughter riot with puns so bad that they’re good.
Ilana and Abbi — Broad City
What makes Broad City hugely successful without having the glitz and glamour of usual programming, is that the characters Ilana and Abbi are so relatable to most young women still struggling to get a footing on adult life. The writing itself is funny to the point that it will leave your clutching your sides and we expect nothing less from a series co-produced by Amy Poehler.
Jane — Jane The Virgin
Another comedy, yet unlike anything else — Jane The Virgin is highly acclaimed, and with good reason. Jane, played by Gina Rodriguez, is a hardcore Catholic woman who has vowed celibacy till marriage, but becomes artificially inseminated by accident. The show is one hell of a ride, drawing inspiration from telenovela-type drama and creates conversation about womanhood and race that has created a precedent in television.
