Watching badass women on screen can inspire us to be more confident in our own lives. In a world dominated by male protagonists, we need to celebrate strong female characters that become fierce role models—people we hope to emulate or show that it’s okay for women to speak up and be central. Here are 18 television shows with powerful female leads:
1. Gossip Girl
These young women are intelligent, resourceful and educated.
2. Big Little Lies
From super moms to working moms, they’re all SO determined.
3. Castle
Kate Beckett is the smartest detective at the NYPD.
4. House of Cards
She straight-up makes or breaks her husband’s political career.
5. How to Get Away with Murder
Viola Davis is my queen.
6. Scandal
Olivia Pope takes care of it.
7. Revenge
Emily Thorne creates elaborate plans to seek revenge for her father. She gets things done, man.
8. Game of Thrones
Daenerys Targaryen is the Mother of Dragons, y’all.
9. Jane the Virgin
AND she’s hilarious.
10. Sex and the City
These women conquer the dating scene of New York City.
11. Empire
Do not mess with Cookie Lyon, aka co-founder of Empire Entertainment.
12. Girls
Lena Dunham touts her feminism both on screen and off.
13. Veep
If only she was VP IRL, amirite?
14. Grace and Frankie
Because older women can be spunky AF, too.
15. Orange Is the New Black
Enough said.
16. Parks and Recreation
Leslie Knope 2020.
17. Supergirl
I mean, she’s literally super girl.
18. 30 Rock
Liz Lemon owns her career, her life and her night cheese.