There are plenty of TV shows and movies nowadays that portray kick-ass women who have no time for men or the patriarchy. From Katniss Everdeen to Daenerys Targarean, these women have ushered in the golden age of television and a time in which female characters have become just as complex as their male counterparts. There are shows currently on air that demonstrate this complexity in new and exciting ways that may not be on your radar screen—here is what you should be watching.
1. Big Little Lies(photo courtesy of seat42f.com)
Where to watch: HBO
Big Little Lies is currently airing on HBO and is a result of Reese Witherspoon’s desire to see more realistic portrayals of women on screen (she produces and stars). The series follows three mothers who all hide dark secrets, showing the viewer that there is often more to meets the eye to women that could seem one dimensional at first glance.
2. Fleabag(photo courtesy of www.impawards.com)
Where to watch: Amazon
Through humor and hilarity, this show portrays a woman living in modern London and her unabashed sex life. The lead writer, creator, and actor Phoebe Waller-Bridge gives the role her all, and the writing is sharp and honest. Not only is the character of Fleabag easy to relate to, but she is also complex, prone to heartbreak, and confused. Sounds like all of us.
3. Z: The Beginning of Everything(photo courtesy of www.impawards.com)
Where to watch: Amazon
This series chronicles the life of Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of the writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. The episodes are short (a half hour at most), and Zelda finally steps out of the shadow of her infamous husband. In this series, and through Christina Ricci’s portrayal, we get the complexity of being a woman trying to reach her potential and the psychological implications that come with it. Zelda has the talent to compete with her husband, but she continually finds herself put down by the weight of his fame.
4. Insecure(photo courtesy of www.impawards.com)
Where to watch: HBO
This show grew out of creator, writer, and star Issa Rae’s web series “Awkward Black Girl” and has become a giant success. The show portrays a different side of the female experience—being an African- American woman in contemporary L.A. Furthermore, the show explores the relationship between two friends (Issa and Molly) and the ways in which women can be as different as can be yet remain close despite these differences.
5. Girls(photo courtesy of www.impawards.com)
Where to watch: HBO
From its premier, Girls has been the most committed to its realistic portrayal of women. Now in its sixth and final season, Girls has characters that you love to hate, and hate to admit you relate to. The characters are complex in the extreme sense of the word, yet they also are committed to exploring their femininity and what they want out of life, whether that be through men, their career, or their passions.
6. Harlots(photo courtesy of www.impawards.com)
Where to watch: Hulu
Harlots airs on March 29, but it seems like a show that will tackle a voice that hasn’t been heard—prostitutes in 18th century London. The directors of the series are all women, and the writers have promised that the show will be told solely from the female point of view. Though critics haven’t decided whether Harlots is a hit or a miss, it is clear that the creators of the show are attempting to do something different and offer complexity to the historical fiction TV genre and its portrayal of women.