Inspirational female TV characters

Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation 

ITVX

‘We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter but work is third.’

Cheerful, ambitious, and quirky, Park and Recreation’s Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is a champion for the people. She’s committed to the belief that the government should have a meaningful impact on its community. She’s at times underestimated by her peers but her success proves she’s a true example for failing forwards.
 

Queen Charlotte, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

Netflix 

Determined, intelligent, and fiercely protective of the ones she loves, Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio & Goulda Rosheuvel) shines as the reigning monarch in the Bridgerton universe. Based loosely on Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz’s rise to power in 18th century, the series follows the once reluctant queen’s rise to power in the aftermath of King George’s struggles with his mental health. 

Bea, Wentworth Prison

My5

Wentworth Prison’s central matriarch and badass, Bea Smith’s (Danielle Cormack) pre-prison life saw her trapped in an abusive relationship with her husband Harry. Later imprisoned for his attempted murder, her time inside saw her go on a tremendous journey of personal growth and eventually become a leader and positive influence over the other inmates.

Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel, The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel

Prime Video

'Being a coward is only cute in the Wizard of Oz.'

Midge (Rachel Brosnahan) is a young, affluent Jewish-American housewife – that is until her amateur comic husband abruptly leaves her. Heartbroken and depressed, a drunken night soon leads her to discover that, unlike her husband, she has a real knack for standup comedy. In an overwhelmingly male industry where the women were often forced to take on gimmicky personas, Midge makes the radical act to perform as herself. 

Emma Hedges, Traces

ITVX

Traces, follows Emma Hedges (Molly Windsor), a forensic science student eager to investigate her mother’s unsolved murder. With the help of her mentor, Professor Sarah Gordon and her classmates, Emma uncovers new secrets whilst showing extraordinary perseverance and emotional honesty.

Mrs America

BBC iPlayer

Historical political drama chronicling the highs and lows of the Women’s Liberation Movement and the battle over the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the 70s. The show follows the lives of several key women, including Phyllis Schlafly (Cate Blanchett) a conservative activist who founded the ‘STOP ERA’ campaign; Gloria Steinem (Rose Byrne) who founded the National Women’s Political Caucus; Betty Friedan (Tracey Ullman) author of The Feminine Mystique, Shirley Chisholm (Uzo Aduba) the first black women to be elected to the United States Congress; Bella Abzug (Margo Martindale), Co-fonder of the National Organisation for Women (NOW); and Jill Ruckelshaus (Elizabeth Banks) co-founder of NOW and head of the White House Office of Women’s Programmes. 

Laura Nielson, Liar

ITVX

Played by Downtown Abbey and Breathtaking alum Joanne Froggatt, Laura is a teacher who becomes entangled in a complex web of lies after a dubious night with widowed surgeon Andrew Earlham (Ioan Gruffudd). After a police investigation about her rape proves to be fruitless, Laura takes the investigation into her own hands. 

Jessica Fletcher, Murder She Wrote

My5

‘I’m not just a busybody. I am the busiest body in Cabot Cove.’ 

Played by the iconic Angela Lansbury (Death on the Nile, Bedknobs and Broomsticks), Jessica Fletcher is a successful mystery writer, turned amateur sleuth. Underneath her kind demeanour and unassuming nature Jessica displays a sharp wit, astute observational skills, and a knack for solving crimes – much to the chagrin of local law enforcement , who would rather place the most obvious suspect in jail. 

DCI Jane Tennison, Prime Suspect

ITVX

Intelligent and equally determined, Prime Suspect follows Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) as she solves high-profile murder crimes and navigates sexism and discrimination as she rises through the ranks at work. Often acting as the voice of reason, she challenges the opinions of her co-workers and is open to taking risks.  Iconic for it’s time, Prime Suspect has been cited as an inspiration for several other shows due to it’s portrayal of women and realistic dialogue. 

Rae, My Mad Fat Diary

Channel 4

'You can’t spend the rest of your life being afraid of people rejecting you. You have to start by not rejecting yourself. You don’t deserve it.’

Based on Rae Earl’s novel My Mad Fat Teenage Diary, this heartfelt and witty drama follows Rae as she navigates adolescence, friendships and relationships alongside body dysmorphia and anxiety. Along the way she learns valuable lessons about self-acceptance and learning to ask for help. 
 

Nora Lin, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens

BBC iPlayer

Quirky and independent, Nora Lin is for those trying to define adulthood on their own terms. Actress and comedian Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians, Ocean’s 8) stars as a fictionalised version of herself, navigating career uncertainty, family dynamics and relationships with an eccentric sense of humour.

Let us know who your favourite female characters are by tweeting us at @freesat_tv!

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