With the rise of streaming services, there are more shows available every day to view, both old and new. This gives way to the exposure of older, female-created, and led shows, as well as an opportunity for new ones to arise.
Murphy Brown (Hulu)
Created by Diane English in 1988, also known for writing and directing the remake of The Women (2008), the show follows Murphy Brown, an “opinionated but loveable” female investigative journalist, during the end of a century. Portraying Brown as a single mother as well as a recovering addict, the show would go on to pave the way for more realistic portrayals of family and addiction struggles.
Gilmore Girls (Netflix)
This dramedy follows the lives of a single mother and her daughter living in a small town in Connecticut. The creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, wanted a show for families that allowed a conversation without judgment to flow between the mothers and daughters. Although released in the early 2000s, the characters have impacted the lives of people from all decades.
Marvelous Maisel (Amazon Prime)
Another Sherman-Palladino show, this comedy follows a housewife in the late 1950s who discovers she has a knack for stand-up comedy and pursues a career in it. Based on her father’s stand-up comedy, the show was an immediate hit and put a spotlight on other women comedians.
30 Rock (Netflix)
Created by Tina Fey, the head writer of a comedy sketch show must juggle a new boss, crazy stars, and dysfunctional staff all while trying to run a successful television show. After being told to write about things she knew, Fey turned to her time on Saturday Night Live for inspiration and the show went on to garner extreme success.
Girlfriends (Netflix)
As a counter to the white friend-group shows coming out in the late 90s, creator Mara Brock Akial didn’t want to see Black women get left behind in the jump to the next century so she created Girlfriends, which followed a group of Black women navigating the ups and downs of single life. Although the show never got a proper finale due to strikes at the CW network, the cultural influence has continued to this day.
Jessica Jones (Disney+)
Based on the Marvel comics, Jessica Jones, a private investigator, must confront her past when someone close returns for revenge. Coming on the heels of a rise in superhero stories focused on men, the decision to make a superhero show around a woman was a risky one, even though Agents of Shield had succeeded. The risk paid off, with the show leading to other Marvel shows, such as Luke Cage.
Madam Secretary (Netfix)
Following the new Secretary of State as she navigates politics and uncovers a conspiracy that goes to the top of the chain of command, this drama created by Barbara Hall placed a woman at the center of a political show, empowering girls and women to take an active role in local political policies.
New Girl (Netflix)
Fresh out of a bad relationship, a teacher moves into a loft with three guys, all strangers, and learns how to pick up and move on with life. Inspired by Elizabeth Meriwether’s experience of trying to sublet, the show was pitched as a fun and upbeat rom-com which allowed a woman character to just be her quirky self.
Insecure (HBO)
Created by Issa Rae and based on her famous web series, the comedy followed a Black woman’s navigation through life, friends, and relationships in the modern-day. Rae wanted to create a show that portrayed people of color as regular people with normal lives. Winning two Golden Globes and being nominated for multiple Emmys, the show has gone on to be a staple for young women of all races.
With the help of JMU student Alexandria Hunter