Television shows have had a crucial impact on transforming the role of women in Western society over the past few decades. Watching female characters break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and lead with confidence and intelligence has helped many girls and women become aware of their own potential, encouraging them to look beyond the limited options traditionally presented to them as “their only choices.”
While shows like I Love Lucy subtly began challenging norms in the 1950s, it wasn’t until the 70s and 80s that women were depicted as truly multi-dimensional, independent individuals with goals other than childbearing and homemaking. The Mary Tyler Moore Show was the first series that truly started to break these stereotypes. It realistically portrayed a single, career-driven woman whose ultimate goal was not marriage. This show greatly contirbuted to normalizing the idea of women as professionals and intricate individuals with aspirations outside traditional roles, influencing both society and future media portrayals.
In the 1980s, shows such as Who’s the Boss? and Murphy Brown continued to challenge traditional gender roles and dismantled stereotypes about women in nearly every single episode. This evolution in representation has mirrored and often even invoked societal changes: life imitates art, and then art imitates life. And so, the cycle continues.
In the 1990s, Dana Scully from The X-Files became an iconic figure, representing intelligence and skepticism as an FBI agent who was also a medical doctor. The term “Scully Effect,” coined in the 2010s, refers to how her character inspired countless women to pursue careers in STEM and other male-dominated fields. Her intellect and unwavering strength made her a powerful role model for breaking barriers.
Since then, many more multi-dimensional, nuanced, and powerful female characters have emerged in TV shows, films, and video games. While not every portrayal is revolutionary – sexualization and ageism remain to be issues – this development is still a significant step toward gender equality.
For many women as well as people of all genders, female TV characters have become true role models to look up to. They are sources of inspiration, and they provide comfort, much like a best friend who guides us through life. Our favorite female characters influence our thoughts and the way we perceive and react to situations. Often, they also make us see new aspects of ourselves, help us discover new interests and help us realize that we have more abilities and skills than we were aware of. Their fictional nature does not diminish their importance or the impact they have on us. It does not make our growth worth any less. They were written and portrayed by people who poured their heart and soul into creating these characters. They may be fictional, but the way they impacted our lives is just as real as the societal changes they have contributed to.
We at SpoilerTV have come together to write about the female characters in TV shows that have inspired and impressed us the most – women who have influenced our lives and the paths we pursued. Recognizing that women often are pitted against each other, we chose not to rank these characters by greatness or influence. Instead, this list is in chronological order, mentioning the characters according to the year they first appeared on television.
Angela Bower – Judith Light – Who’s the Boss? (ABC) choosen by Julia Krassnik
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| Judith Light as Angela Bower © All Rights Reserved. |
Angela Bower has been smashing sexist stereotypes ever since the first episode of Who’s the Boss? dropped in 1984. As a successful executive at a major advertising company, Angela unapologetically puts her career first, with no interest in conforming to traditional gender roles. She’s too busy winning clients and crafting compelling ad campaigns to worry about housework – not that she ever had any desire to play housewife. To manage her Connecticut home, she hires Tony, a charming Italian from Brooklyn, as her live-in housekeeper. The show cleverly flips societal norms, with Angela in the power suit earning the big bucks while Tony wields the feather duster and prepares lunch for the kids. The two quickly form a deep friendship, built on mutual respect and unwavering support for one another.
In Season 3, Angela takes a bold step by launching her own advertising agency, leading it to success. The exceptional Judith Light, who portrayed Angela with unparalleled brilliance and a deep emotional authenticity, often shares in interviews how women still approach her, expressing gratitude for inspiring them to start their own businesses after seeing Angela do it on Who’s the Boss?. Angela showed them it was possible, proving that women could achieve anything they set their minds to despite society’s attempts to keep them chained to the stove.
Angela Bower very much refused to conform to societal norms in pretty much any aspect of her life. As a divorcee, she created an unconventional family with her housekeeper, their children, and her free-spirited mother. Despite occasional neighborhood gossip, Angela never feels ashamed of who she is, what she built, or whom she embraced as family. She is earnest, determined, and – very often overlooked – exceptionally funny, especially in her interactions with Tony and her irrepressible mother, Mona.
Angela inspired women to unapologetically pursue their ambitions, demonstrating that strength, independence, and humor can beautifully coexist in a woman’s life. She proved that a successful career and a thriving family life can go hand in hand, with no one missing out.
Buffy Summers – Sarah Michelle Gellar – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (The WB) chosen by Je-Ree
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| Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summer © All Rights Reserved. |
“Into every generation a slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forceps of darkness. She is the Slayer.”
There isn’t a female geek alive who doesn’t know that introduction. Buffy the Vampire Slayer ran for seven seasons and aired 144 episodes full of feminism. The show was based off the film of the same name and introduced us to the iconic character of Buffy Summers. Arguably, one of the greatest female characters ever written.
Buffy was a 16 year old high school student chosen to fight the evil of the world and keep her hometown Sunnydale, California safe without recognition (until her class named her Class Protector). Buffy was a natural leader who consistently demonstrated a strong moral compass. She valued honesty and determination, often making tough decisions that align with her principles. Her leadership was marked by her ability to inspire and protect her friends and allies.
While the demons and vampires she faced were supernatural there was a hidden meaning behind them, school bullies, unrequited loves, Buffy faced them all not just with her superhuman strength but with compassion and the love of her friends and family.
Yes, she fell in love with the vampire with a soul and a face of an Angel (and garnered a spin-off and many comic book series) but Buffy was never defined by her romantic relationships. By the end of the series, Buffy stands as an independent figure, having matured and evolved through her experiences. She emerges from the rubble of an apocalypse she helped prevent, with her friends and family by her side, symbolizing her growth and the strength she draws from her relationships.
Buffy taught and embodied selflessness, love, and acceptance of diverse choices and lifestyles. She encourages women to explore their sexuality, embrace their identities, and forgive themselves and others.
Laura Roslin – Mary McDonnell – Battlestar Galactica (SYFY)
chosen by Julia Krassnik
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| Mary McDonnell as Laura Roslin © All Rights Reserved. |
Laura Roslin never set out to be president. As Secretary of Education for the Twelve Colonies of Cobol, she was content shaping young minds. When the Cylons – robots created by humans that gained their own consciousness – launched a devastating attack, nearly all of humanity was wiped out, leaving less than 50.000 survivors. Roslin suddenly finds herself thrust into a role she never actually wanted: As the highest-ranking government official still alive it is now her duty to become president. Despite her overwhelming fear and the weight of her secret terminal illness, she understands the urgent need for leadership and doesn’t hesitate to step up.
Roslin, portrayed with extraordinary depth and brilliance by the incomparable Mary McDonnell, faces constant skepticism, especially from the men around her. Commander William Adama, a battle-hardened military leader, frequently dismisses her as just a “school teacher,” doubting her ability to lead in wartime, failing to recognize how her background actually strengthens her leadership.
President Roslin, however, proves time and again that leadership isn’t about titles and bravado; it’s about resilience, wisdom, and making the hard choices. In time, she earns the respect of those who once doubted her, including Adama, who not only comes to admire her, but also falls in love with her – just as the audience does, captivated by her strength and grace.
Throughout the series, Roslin faces impossible decisions that challenge anyone’s morality. She has to balance her personal ethics with the harsh realities of survival. What is left of humanity, now a fleet of ships searching for a new home planet, looks to her for guidance. Despite the overwhelming odds, Roslin remains steadfast in her belief that they will find Earth – a mythical paradise where they can start anew.
Eventually her conviction indeed leads humanity to its salvation. They discover Earth, a safe haven as beautiful as the legends foretold. In a poignant conclusion to her journey, Roslin – after fulfilling her duty and ensuring the survival of her people – passes away upon seeing the new world she fought so hard to find.
Laura Roslin’s legacy is not just that of the President of the Universe but as Mother of Humanity. She was a leader who rose from the ashes of destruction, guided her people through darkness, and ultimately led them to the light.
Lisa Cuddy – Lisa Edelstein – House MD (Fox) chosen by Eve
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| Lisa Edelstein as Dr. Lisa Cuddy © All Rights Reserved. |
Lisa Cuddy’s job title in House MD is Dean of Medicine and Hospital Administrator. In episode 5 to 9 in season 6 we follow a day in the life of Princeton Plainsboro’s Dean of Medicine. We see the inner workings of the hospital through her eyes. This day proves to be especially trying as Cuddy wrestles with myriad hospital issues and staff disputes that test her perseverance and skills as an administrator, all while juggling issues in her personal life.
Cuddy began dreaming of becoming a doctor when she was 12, graduated from medical school at age 25 as second best in her class, and became the first female and second youngest Dean of Medicine at the age of 32 (she was actually 29 but she added three years to her age in order to seem more mature to the Selection Committee).
If that isn’t something to aspire and admire then I don’t know what is. All these years she held her own against House, knowing when to stop him and knowing when to let him do his thing.
Leslie Knope – Amy Poehler – Parks and Recreation (NBC) chosen by Meredith
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| Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope © All Rights Reserved. |
All hail our best friend, Leslie Knope. For seven seasons on Parks and Rec, Amy Pohler’s portrayal of Leslie made every character around her better.
Leslie is the perfect balance of ferocious optimism and pragmatic determination and isn’t afraid of failure. She can rally her office mates, assemble the hell out of a binder, and select the most thoughtful gifts. Leslie Knope is unapologetically smart, passionate, and occasionally full-on bonkers. Her relationship with Ben Wyatt is filled with chemistry, respect, and deep love. They love AND like each other. We praise Leslie’s strong sense of loyalty, humor, and abide by her mottos of “hoes before bros, uteruses before duderuses and ovaries before brovaries”.
Dr. Gillian Foster – Kelli Williams – Lie To Me (Fox) chosen by Eve
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| Kelli Williams as Gillian Foster © All Rights Reserved. |
Dr. Gillian Foster is the Lightman Group’s resident psychologist and business partner. She thrived in her educational years, earning a PhD in psychology. She worked for the Pentagon for many years, before being hired by Cal Lightman to join his Lightman Group. It is at the Pentagon where Gillian and Cal met for the first time. He was assigned to her for a psychological analysis. She was instantly interested in the idea of Cal’s science and deception detection pursuits.
Since their first meeting they’ve developed a mutual respect and have experienced a gravitational pull between them. Foster has a no-nonsense attitude and conducts herself professionally, focused and determined. She is also known to show her vulnerable and more soft and nurturing side, especially when a case involves women or children. Kelli Williams’ character is based on Dr. Maureen O’Sullivan, a psychology professor at the University of San Francisco who assisted Paul Ekman (on whom Cal Lightman is based) in the discovery of micro-expressions and the creation of The Paul Ekman Group.
Athena Grant – Angela Bassett – 9-1-1 (ABC) chosen by Val
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“All Fall Down” – 9-1-1 Pictured: Angela Bassett as Athena Grant. Photo Credit: Mike Taing/Disney © 2024. All Rights Reserved. |
We all need a badass like Athena Grant in our lives. Athena’s path wasn’t always headed towards the police academy. She had ambitions for law school, but when a neighborhood girl goes missing and the cops do little to nothing about it, Athena decides this is the path she needs to take. One incident in particular that amplifies her strength is when she was on the search for her ex-fiance’s killer. For over two decades, she’s never been able to find the person until a gun turned up as a match for the crime. Throughout the entire investigation, Athena held it together and when she found the man responsible brought him in. It isn’t until she’s back home with her husband, Bobby, that she removes her badge, which to me symbolizes her separating herself from the work she had to do, and allowing herself to feel every emotion, breaking down into Bobby’s arms. It was such a powerful moment, because for most of the series, Athena is able to keep emotions on the back burner and take care of whatever case she’s on. It’s these moments when she allows herself to feel emotions (which is often deemed a weakness) that you see just how strong she really is.
Women of The Rookie: Angela Lopez-Evers, Nyla Harper, Lucy Chen, and Angela Lopez-Evers – Alyssa Diaz, Mekia Cox, Melissa O’Neil and – The Rookie (ABC) chosen by Val
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| Pictured: Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper, Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen, Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez Photo Credit: ABC Entertainment/ © 2024. All Rights Reserved. |
In a male dominated profession, these three ladies prove time and time again that there’s room for women to thrive.
Angela Lopez grew up with four brothers, which naturally, is why she’s as tough as she is. Starting off as a Training Officer, Angela worked her way up to make Detective. I can go on and on about the tough cases she’s managed to close, but one thing I’d like to note is that this woman, who was pregnant and just about ready to pop, joined a task force to catch a man who has been terrorizing her and her husband, Wesley, with no hesitation and didn’t miss a beat when she came face to face with him. No gun needed; she landed each hit, and got him good when her partner, Nyla, came for the assist. Angela works hard at everything she does and she perfectly balances her career with caring for her family. There’s none of that talk about needing to make sacrifices.
Speaking of sacrifices; Nyla Harper, learned how much the job can take a toll on the family. Nyla was an Undercover Detective and she was damn good at it. It wasn’t until one day while out with her daughter that she saw the repercussions of the job; she was made by someone she met undercover and nearly killed right in front of her. This caused her to lose custody of her daughter. She had to make a choice and it was easy; she had to do whatever it took to get her daughter back. This meant demoting herself back to Training Officer, and that transition was tough. Nyla, because she was used to being undercover, developed a lone wolf persona and it made getting close to her difficult. That is until she met now husband James. I want to say James softened her a bit, but that’s only partly true. When Nyla, who was nine months pregnant at the time, and James were moving into their new home, she noticed some suspicious activity happening with her neighbors across the street. No, being nine months pregnant was not going to stop her from entering Detective mode (let’s be honest, it never left). She nearly gets caught snooping around, and to be safe, these suspicious neighbors thought that they were going to go over to James and Nyla’s place to take them out. WRONG! They messed with the wrong one. While in labor, YES, she was IN LABOR, Nyla managed to not only take out the intruder, but also GIVE BIRTH! That was a sight to see – Nyla never backs down from a challenge, and is there whenever her team needs her. She and Angela create a dynamic detective duo that becomes empowering to watch as each season progresses.
Lucy Chen is resilient. Despite having a family that believes she’s wasting her time as a police officer and being kidnapped by a serial killer and buried alive, she’s never complained about it or used it as an excuse when it comes to getting the job done. As a rookie, she took down two major drug traffickers on her first solo undercover operation.That wouldn’t be the last one either. Lucy was inspired by Nyla and felt that she could perform well as a UC officer and took most opportunities that came to her. Throughout the series, Lucy has more than proved herself but she’s overlooked for most opportunities which would be frustrating to most officers. She’s expressed her feelings on the matter numerous times as well but she continues to perform well where it counts (I don’t care what that test score was. I’m a bad test taker too, Lucy!). It’s the fact that she keeps going and doesn’t let up when things don’t work out for her that is inspirational. What was it that Tim said about her? –“There’s no quit in Chen”.
Deborah Vance – Jean Smart – Hacks (HBO Max) chosen by Lucas Oliveira
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| Jean Smart as Deborah Vance © All Rights Reserved. |
Legendary comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is a terrible person. Some will say she’s self-absorbed, too selfish to be a good mom, or a good sister, or even a good boss and/or friend. When Hacks starts, her golden days as a comedian were also seemingly past behind her, as she is stuck in Las Vegas doing the same shows over and over again. But everything changes when she hires Ava (Hannah Einbinder), a young writer who helps her revitalize her career, and by doing so, also starts a process of internal change that’s so beautifully written, and makes Deborah go from someone who always pushes people away from her choosing work over relationships and because of this ends up lonely… To someone who stills makes these same old choices, but this time with slightly small changes that might make Deborah a little less lonely in the end.
“Aidan, listen to me. Look at me. Everybody thinks you’re done. No one believes in you, okay? They want to see you get knocked down and they want you to stay down. But guess what? You’re gonna get back up and you’re gonna find his weakness. And you’re gonna hit it hard. And you’re gonna hit it again and again and again. In fact, you’re gonna hit him so hard, he doesn’t get angry, he gets scared. You’re the underdog, but you’re gonna get back up because you’re a Vance now. So go kill him.”
In There Will Be Blood, the season 2 premiere, Deborah’s son-in-law Aidan (Paul Felder) has a big fight to win. In a pivotal moment from the episode, the comedian says the words above to him. And they are true not only to Aidan, but also to Deborah herself, who is the underdog who has no time to lose, and despite having everything that money can buy, still finds herself stuck in this difficult situation in which she wants to experience higher levels of success — from Vegas to huge tours across America to the biggest talk-show in television, heaven is the limit for Deborah. Because she is a woman, because she is old, because she has trouble in keeping the ones she loves — and she loves many — close, but also because she’s ambitious, and she’s great doing comedy, she loves her work, she’s one of the best comedians and she knows it and she has so much fun doing her job — to the point that it becomes the most important thing in her life.
“A hack is someone who does the same thing over and over. Deborah is the opposite. She keeps evolving and getting better.”
Deborah is complex. A great comedian full of brilliant ideas, a great entrepreneur who runs her business like no one else. Sometimes a good mom, sometimes a good sister (the story between them is complicated), sometimes the best boss in the world, frequently Ava’s best friend. Nuanced, troubled, and so funny — Deborah is a character richly constructed. Hacks is about this woman who is trying to do better, who is trying to be better, and who sometimes succeeds. And she deserves to be in this list because not always women in fiction are allowed to be everything at once: the good and the bad mom, the best and the worst boss who happens to be a great mentor and the best of friends, this woman in her 70s who’s still exploring her sexuality. She is the great comedian who loves her craft and excels at it, who is getting in touch with a younger generation, teaching them valuable lessons, yet learning just as much in return every day. Deborah deserves to be here because all in all she’s not a hack, even when she has every reason to be — and that’s so inspiring of her.
Deborah deserves to be on this list because she is not a hack, despite having every reason to be – and that’s exactly what makes her so inspiring.
Diana Taverner – Kristin Scott Thomas – Slow Horses (AppleTV+) chosen by Eve
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| Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner © All Rights Reserved. |
Kristin Scott Thomas was no stranger to the spy world. Her brief but memorable role in the first Mission Impossible movie showed what she was capable of.
Slow Horses’ Diana Taverner, played by Kristin Scott Thomas, is a senior British intelligence official, who serves as MI5 Deputy Director-General and Head of Operations. She is incredibly skilled at what she does for the security service, so much so that she leads other agents as their boss. She is tough as nails and has a firm but fair approach to all problems reaching her desk. Taverner is always going for the ultimate goal of catching the ‘bad guys’ while trying to preserve the unwavering reputation of the office. Taverner is steadfast, tough as nails and oozes superiority above all else. She’s calm, cool and collected in the most outrageous situations. She’s got Lambs respect and admiration, even if he would never admit it.
These are just a few of the many incredible women on TV who have inspired us. Now, we want to hear from you! Which fictional female characters have left a lasting impact on you? Share your favorites in the comments below!
