As it’s International Women’s Day, we thought we’d celebrate by talking about five of our favourite shows that have strong female leads. Who doesn’t like a show with a determined, intriguing, and fierce woman at its heart? Women deserve to be celebrated and for all the shows we’re going to tell you about, we commend both the characters within them and the actors who portray them. Every woman has the right to follow their dreams and be the person they want to be, and that’s what the protagonists of all these shows share with us.
Girlboss
Do you ever question whether your dreams are realistic, obtainable, or obscure? Perhaps it’s never the ‘right time’ to start something new and delve deep into the world that is running your own business. Sophia, a woman of uncertainty, becomes her own boss. It is through her love of fashion that she realises that buying, changing, and selling vintage clothing can bring in a lot of money, and it can all be done in her tiny flat. Who knew?
This series follows the journey of one woman who attempts to be in control of her own life. She faces many challenges while building up her business, which she names ‘Nasty Gal’, and many rewards too. Sophia is fearless, funny, and fantastic. Girlboss is based on the book of the same name by Sophia Amoruso, which follows the uprising of the company and the realisation that eBay can play a big role in a business.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
If you’re after a quirky individual to lighten up your International Women’s Day, then Kimmy is the one for you. When you’re hidden away from the world, there’s so much you don’t know, can’t experience, and haven’t seen. Kimmy was kept in a bunker for a long time, and when she is finally found and released, she is unleashed upon New York and all that it has to offer.
Kimmy is such a strong female character because she shows that you need to be brave and bold in order to get the most out of life. She teaches us to appreciate the small things and that even when times seem dreary, things will always be great again if you never give up. Kimmy’s is one of the most unique characters you’ll find on Netflix, and this series is bound to be great if you are after something that will make you laugh. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is cheesy, cheery, and chilled.
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Gilmore Girls is probably one of the most well-known shows to exist, and what makes it so compelling is its female characters. We grew up with Rory Gilmore and her mother, Lorelai, and Netflix brought us something extra special when they released Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. It’s all about their life further on down the line, Rory is trying to find her way through life and Lorelai has difficulties of her own. They may not start off as strong as we’d expect in this series, but they definitely do a good job at finding their way.
The best part of this show is their mother-daughter relationship, it shows that women can support each other and pull each other through the worst of times. Not only that, but it shows their independence. They can rely on themselves to find their way eventually and nobody can stop them from achieving their goals.
Jessica Jones
Have you ever met someone so independent that you question how they do it? Are they cast away from everyone else, focused on the task in front of them, and determined not to let anyone or anything stand in their way? Keep that person in mind and then imagine they had immense strength, imagine they were so intense that people feared them, but you still knew their weaknesses.
Jessica Jones is a badass, she’s got super strength, is a pretty awesome detective, and likes a drink or ten. She’s a dark Marvel character, but one that many admire for her bravery, persistence and power. Jessica may not be your typical lady, but she can outwit anyone that stands in her way. She is the perfect leading female character and is proof that no matter how strong you are, there will always be something or someone that niggles at your weak spot. That’s what makes us human.
This is perfect timing, as season two of Jessica Jones was released today on Netflix – so whether you haven’t seen any at all, or are excited to see what happens next, there’s plenty of Jessica to go around.
Cable Girls
Women are strong. Women are powerful. Women are incredible. When women work together, they can achieve a mastery of things. They support one another, they protect one another, and they encourage one another. That’s exactly what happens in the Spanish series Cable Girls. Although there’s one particular female lead in this series, named Lydia, there’s a group of women who stick together like glue. They all have different lives and each of them goes through things that no woman should have to, but in the end, the main thing is that they have each other to fall back on. They stand up for one another. Lydia is proof that people can change, even though the past can haunt you like a shadow in the darkness.
The show is all about these woman standing up for their rights, and one thing they like most is working at the telephone company. It’s what keeps them happy, healthy and heroic.
These shows are just a few that showcase strong female leads, but there are so many more. Happy International Women’s Day to you all, and make sure you let us know which Netflix Original with female leads are your favourite!
