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International Women’s Day is here, and the day is celebrated to commemorate the strength women show in their everyday lives. And there is nothing better than celebrating the day by choosing to watch a show that has some of the most iconic and strong female characters. Therefore, here is a quick list of 10 legendary female characters to watch on this special day.
Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
Peggy Olsen, Annalise Keating, and other strong female TV characters to remember on International Women's Day
1. Kimiko – The Boys
Based on the comic book by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, this satirical superhero series is developed by Eric Kripke and stars Karl Urban, Antony Starr, Chace Crawford, and others. The show overturns the superhero genre and portrays a group of superheroes who work for a powerful company and are selfish and abusive in real life, but present themselves as righteous in front of the public. A group of vigilantes decide to counter and expose them. The show has many complex male leads but it also has a fierce female character. Kimiko, played by Karen Fukuhara, who is an inspiration for Women’s day. She has developed strength and resilience after facing trauma because of fighting in a militia group and being caged by human traffickers. However, she now has a special formula running through her body, which allows her to massacre people easily and remain unharmed. There are moments when she is silent and deadly, and in other moments, she loves musicals and springs for a dance.
2. Peggy Olson – Mad Men
Created by Matthew Weiner and starring Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Bryan Batt, and others, this period drama is set during the 1960s and revolves around the Sterling Cooper advertising agency in Manhattan. The show is about the twists and challenges in the cutthroat world of advertising and focuses on the enigmatic and genius advertising executive, Don Draper (Hamm). Set in the 1960s, when almost all office jobs were dominated by men and women were sidelined to menial and support staff positions, there is one female character who holds her own. Peggy, played by Elisabeth Moss, is one of the revolutionary characters on the show. She joins the firm as the secretary of Don, but soon wrestles her way to the top amidst a toxic, sexist, and male-dominated industry. She is a trailblazing female character on the show, and her gradual realization of her passion for copywriting is beautiful to watch. She puts her foot down after her talent goes unrecognized and bravely quits the company. A must-watch this International Women’s Day.
3. Dana Scully – The X Files
Starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, and created by Chris Carter, this sci-fi horror drama series is one of the most popular shows of the 1990s. The show revolves around FBI agents Fox Mulder (Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Anderson), who work together to solve some of the most perplexing and unexplained paranormal cases that the bureau has discarded. The show was critically and commercially acclaimed for its direction, tone, characterization, effects, and performances. Perhaps, one of the most iconic takeaways from the show is the fact that the character of Dana Scully led to a new movement called “The Scully Effect”, which prompted women who watched the show to get admitted into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Scully is one of the few female characters on TV at the time, who is a rational, skeptic, and trained doctor in the FBI. Her character is full of logic and resilience. A classic character to watch on International Women’s Day.
4. Eleven – Stranger Things
Created by the Duffer brothers, this sci-fi horror and mystery drama, features Winona Ryder, Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, and others. The show quickly became a pop culture phenomenon because of its nostalgic ode to the 1980s and blending of horror, sci-fi, visual effects, and strong performances by the cast. The show revolves around the town of Hawkins, Indiana, in the 1980s, which is plagued by supernatural occurrences after the town’s lab becomes a center of illegal scientific experiments. The show has many strong female characters in a genre that is mostly dominated by men. One of them is the protagonist, Eleven, played by Brown, who is one of the kids upon whom the scientific experiments were done. As a young girl, she is able to embody the fright, confusion, and emotions of her character, who is unsure of the outside world. However, as the show progresses, Eleven grows into a confident woman, who can take down otherworldly creatures, save her friends, and fight for her identity.
5. Annalise Keating – How to Get Away with Murder
Produced by Shonda Rhimes and created by Peter Nowalk, this legal drama thriller, stars Viola Davis, Alfred Enoch, Katie Findlay, and others. The show revolves around Annalise Keating, played by Viola Davis, who is a law professor at a prestigious university and is also a defense attorney. The show revolves around her and a group of her students, who get embroiled in a murder. With six seasons, the show slowly uncovers the multilayered and complex life of the real Annalise Keating, who is not only strong and fierce but also vulnerable and emotional. The character is still a pop culture staple and was lauded for its fully-fleshed persona, which was flawed but real. Keating shows that she can battle her personal demons while also winning cases, heading landmark cases, and saving her students’ lives. She is the epitome of a fierce and brave female character on screen and is a must-watch for International Women’s Day.
6. Eve Polastri – Killing Eve
Based on the novel series by Luke Jennings, this spy thriller series was headed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge in the first season and stars Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw, and others. The series is a cat-and-mouse chase between a British intelligence officer, Eve (Sandra Oh), and a deadly international assassin, Villanelle (Jodie Comer). As Eve tries to capture Villanelle, the two develop a mutual obsession for each other. The critically acclaimed show is headed by two strong, flawed, genius, and charismatic female characters, which makes it a unique watch. The character of Eve, especially, is full of resilience and complications. She realizes that she is bored with her desk job at MI5 and decides to induce some spice into her life by chasing a mysterious assassin. However, her chase leads her down a path of self-discovery, as she realizes her actual wants and fights for her independence. A deeply flawed but one of the most realistic female characters.
7. Poussey Washington – Orange is the New Black
Based on Piper Kerman’s memoir, this comedy drama is created by Jenji Kohan and stars Laura Prepon, Michelle Hurst, Jason Biggs, and others. The show adapts Kerman’s own experiences at a female prison. The critically and commercially acclaimed show revolves around a bunch of women inmates in a prison, and the protagonist is Piper, who is imprisoned for transporting drug money. The show highlights how prison life changes her, and the show is known for introducing a variety of realistic and strong female characters. One of the most resilient characters is Poussey, played by Samira Wiley, who is charismatic, genius, and full of potential. She fights against the stereotype of a black woman inmate, and her accidental death by a white officer, only paved the way for other characters. Her presence was magnetic and fierce, and she highlighted the injustice caused to black people by police and the justice system.
8. Diane Nguyen – BoJack Horseman
Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, this adult animated tragicomedy, revolves around an anthropomorphic horse, BoJack Horseman, who is a yesteryear star and is disillusioned by his waning popularity. The show was a critical and commercial hit and is still a part of pop culture. The show dealt with heavy and sensitive topics like depression, suicide, and more. One of the most interesting characters in the show is Diane, who is a Vietnamese American and is introduced as the ghostwriter of BoJack’s autobiography. Her character is full of layers, and even though she is the voice of reason for BoJack, she has her own personal arc and does not serve the male protagonist. She is a strong feminist and voices her support for the #MeToo movement. She tries to find her roots, and when she is diagnosed with depression, she takes the help she needs. She is one of the few cartoon characters, who is shown plump in the later seasons because of her medications, and it is not made into a joke. An inspiration for all women on International Women’s Day.
9. Samantha Jones – Sex and the City
Based on the newspaper column and the book by Candace Bushnell, this romantic comedy drama created by Darren Star, features Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, and others. The show is about a group of four female friends in New York City, who discuss relationships, friendships, and femininity, with each other. The show was a viral hit and spearheaded many discussions on feminism and women's empowerment. All four characters on the show are empowered women, however, one of them, who truly embodies independence and free-spiritedness, is Samantha Jones, played by Kim Cattrall. She is unapologetically vivacious and stands by her friends at all times. She broke down all the stereotypes of a coy and shy woman and enjoyed her sexual freedom. While her friends tried to find a man to marry, she believed in her casual relationships and always kept herself first. A classic character to watch on International Women’s Day.
10. Meredith Grey – Grey’s Anatomy
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Created by Shonda Rhimes and starring Ellen Pompeo, this popular medical drama, revolves around the lives of a group of surgical interns, residents, and senior doctors, at the Seattle Grace Hospital. Set in Seattle, Washington, the show primarily focuses on the journey of Meredith Grey (Pompeo), who begins her career in the medical field as a surgical intern and throughout 21 seasons, she becomes the head of general surgery. As one of the longest-running shows, the series has introduced viewers to some of the most talented and intelligent female characters. Meredith is one character, however, who is an everlasting presence on the show. She begins her journey as a reserved and cautious intern, willing to learn, and blooms into a strong and confident woman, who weathers many storms. She raises her children single-handedly while also maintaining order at the chaotic hospital and saving lives.
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