Top 5 best TV series female characters

Mia L.
16 févr. 2016
8 min de lecture

ENGLISH VERSION

The problem when you decide to do such a ranking, is that complex and female characters remain rare －even nowadays － in TV shows and entertainment in general.. Even if the situation tends to evolve, a lot of TV series and movies still narrate the story of a male character, and do not pass the “Bechdel Test” (See Anita Sarkeesian’s explanation, for more information). Indeed, female characters are often given minor supporting roles, as the leading roles are frequently given to men. They rarely take part in the actions (or the fights) and are often reduced to their physical appearance (and hence, are often sexualized and objectified). For this little ranking, I’ve chosen to focus on current (or recent) TV series. I also decided (even if it was hard to stick to that rule!) not to choose more than one character from the same TV series (even if I think that there would so much to analyze from series such as The Walking Dead or Desperate Housewives for example, rather than Once upon a time where most characters are in fact based on Disney’s interpretation or portrayed in a Manichean way). Anyway, let’s start!

1. Brennan (Bones) :

The first award goes to Dr Temperance Brennan from Fox’s famous show －“Bones”－ which now counts eleven seasons. Why this choice? First, because this character is mainly defined by her intelligence, her sharp mind and her observation skills: in a nutshell, she’s valued for her scientific qualities and not her boobs! She is a very complex woman, who watches the world through an objective and pragmatic point of view, with an interesting distance. No sexualization: the directors only focus on her ability to solve difficult cases. Atheist, she doesn’t hesitate to voice her opinions in a country where most people are believers. She questions people’s ideas in a very dynamic way. She is a scientific but also a famous writer (she draws her inspiration from the cases she solves in order to write crime fiction). Brennan truly is a strong woman, and she endured so much pain (being persecuted by a dangerous psycho and serial killer named Pelant, or being victim of a conspiracy among the FBI …). No spoilers for those who haven’t discovered this series yet; I’m just going to conclude on the psychological complexity of this character, for instance her difficulty to believe in the goodness of mankind or to trust her instincts (before Booth teaches her to see things differently and to accept that life can sometimes be irrational, but that’s also why it is oh! so wonderful). Let’s also notice that our favorite TV forensic specialist is a character which is really achieved, whereas the male characters from the series (Booth is the epitome of the “good guy who believes in mankind”, Zach the “intellectual geek”, and Hodgins “the mad scientist”).

Can we notice any feminist aspect to the character? Brennan, who’s nicknamed “Bones”, proves TV viewers how a woman can manage to combine a brilliant job carrier to a happy family life, especially a mother role.

We love: her pragmatic mind, which often creates funny situations where she’s totally at the odds with reality!

Her best punchline :

During her wedding : "This is not one man ceremonially handing over a woman to another man as through she's a property. Okay?"

2. Carol (The Walking Dead) :

For this second award, how could I not choose a character from AMC’s The Walking Dead? First, it’s my favorite TV series, and then, it presents plenty of strong independent female characters. It is very hard to choose between Michonne, Maggie or even Andrea (even if Andrea’s character in the comics in much more interesting…). My choice would be Carol Peletier. Why? I truly think that the psychological complexity of this character makes her very mysterious and enigmatic (along as her male mate, Daryl Dixon: two mysterious characters who can be compared). Then, one must admit it, Carol is one of the most badass characters of nowadays TV. She never hesitates when it comes to take hard decisions for the sake of the group (for example – spoilers ahead! – what she did to Tyreese’s girlfriend …). She knows how to use weapons very well, and she knows how to avoid freaking out (even if you’re followed by dreadful zombies ...). Here again, the character is never sexualized, but depicted rather in a very realistic way, with mud on her clothes (indeed, who would bother to wear make-up during a zombie apocalypse?).

Can we notice any feminist aspect to the character? Carol proves that a woman doesn’t have to be weak and be submitted to man. From a battered wife, she became an invincible warrior.

We love : Her “double personality” (she can as well look unctuous and feign kindness, and the minute after look imposing, and frightening for anyone who would dare to stand in her way).

Her best punchline:

3. Cersei (Game of Thrones) :

In third position: Cersei Lannister from the TV phenomenon Game of Thrones. Even if the directors tend to mistreat their female characters (by adding Sansa’s rape for example), George R.R. Martin's female characters remain very interesting and often very complex, psychologically speaking. In this medieval world where politics meets dragons, Cersei is depicted as one of the most influential women, because she belongs to the powerful "Lannister family" (even if – spoilers ahead! – they’ll lose a bit of their power later on the show…). Thus, she seems to intimidate everyone. Between an alcoholic husband who neglects her (or even beats her … ) and a political situation which becomes more and more complicated in King’s Landing, Cersei is always trying to command respect in this sexist world mostly ruled by men (using for instance the influence she has upon the king or that she thinks she has on the city’s priests…). Her incestuous relationship with her brother, Jamie, adds another aspect to the complexity of the character. Even if we hate her at the beginning (mainly because of –warning, spoilers ahead!– the death of Lady, and later on, Ned Stark … ), we understand that she always wanted to protect her children and her family. In fact, we absolutely love hating her, and we care about her evolution (which is certainly going to be even more interesting in the following seasons, especially after the “Walk of shame”). To put it in a nutshell, she is a character who is particularly worthy of attention, who will certainly continue to evolve and who is, moreover, interpreted by a very talented actress (Lena Headey). To be continued …

Can we notice any feminist aspect to the character? Conscious of the inequalities that affect women in her world (where they are often destined to a forced wedding, for political reasons, instead of being destined to rule as men like Jamie are), Cersei tries to rebel against the patriarchal authority that her father Tywin represents and the arbitrary decisions that aimed at making her a pawn in the political game.

We love : her haughty and disdainful attitude, which makes her very impressive but also very classy.

Her best punchline:

4. Lynette (Desperate Housewives) :

In third position, I’ll put the liveliest Desperate housewife, Lynett Scavo. Even if Wisteria Lane story plot ended a long time ago, its female characters remain among the most striking of the past decades. How to choose between Gabrielle Solis, Bree Van de Kamp, Susan Mayer or even Eddie Britt, who – each, in her own way – contributed to the representation of the emancipated woman? I finally chose Lynett, for I consider that she’s often underestimated, because people would rather put forward Gaby (because of Eva Longoria’s hilarious performances!), or even Susan. Lynett seems in fact to embody the strong woman. Let’s just mention her complicated past (with an alcoholic mother and an absent father …) which led her to be obsessed with a need to control the reality and the people around her. After being held hostage in a supermarket, having rose five children and defeated cancer, Lynett will be remembered as one of the most remarkable woman of nowadays TV fiction. Moreover, Lynett is one of these “normal” “average” modern women: she deals with daily life problems (financial problems, sexism, work, health problems …). Never satisfied of what she has, Lynette always chooses to move forward, and to try and be happy both in her work and in her family life.

Can we notice any feminist aspect to the character? She is the one who is taking most of the decisions in her couple. Far away from the stereotype of the “submitted housewife”, Lynett knows how to impose her rules.

We love : her creativity and shrewdness.

Her best punchline :

When an opossum was trying to ruin her garden, and that her fight against the opossum embodied her fight against cancer : " This is not a joke, Tom, something has attacked our home, and when that happens you don't just stand by, you fight it. Screw this creature that has come into our lives, uninvited, and is trying to destoy us! It will not defeat me".

5. Regina (Once upon a time) :

Last but not least (the choices becomes harder and harder, when it comes to the end…): Regina Mills from Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz’s Once Upon a Time. This series judiciously links the stories of several Disney and fairytale characters with mythology. What a pity that the series (even if they try to go beyond the “hero vs. villain” stereotype) remains rather Manichean (namely Snow White and Prince Charming, plus their daughter, The Savior, and their grandson are the family of heroes, helped by their friends like the Seven Dwarfs, Belle and Granny, to defeat successively several villains). But, what is interesting, when you look more closely into that little group, you soon realize that the circle includes a former “villain” (you just guess who I’m referring to: Regina). Between fascination for the dark forces, and (sincere?) repentance, the Evil Queen slowly begins to follow the path of the heroes, while keeping even though that dark side that we absolutely love about her. Actress Lana Parilla wonderfully portrays her cruel side, but at the same time her endearing charm.

Can we notice any feminist aspect to the character? Let’s just not forget that Regina is the mayor of Storybrooke: she’s the one who rules in this enchanted town.

We love : this "femme fatale" walk that she has, and when she looks daggers at her enemies.

Her best punchline :

NB: I’ve only watched seasons 3 to 5, so there might be some mistakes in my comments. Why did I start watching in the middle of the story line? Well, I don’t know…

I'll conclude by saying that every ranking is necessarily subjective (especially as I do not happen to know every series taht airs on TV, mainly because I don't havethe time to wath them all!). And I imagine that series such as Orange is the new black for instance must have plenty of strong female characters (I really need to start watching this series...!). Also, I didn't talk about "older" series like Charmed for example (even if it has interesting female characters). No mention of younger characters neither (such as Arya and Sansa from Games of Thrones, Lizzie frome The Walking Dead or the Pretty Little Liars). Why? Because I consider that young characters are not yet complete (that you need to let them evolve first). But, I'm totally aware I could be wrong on this point (for the Pretty Little Liars for example, whom psychology has already evolved a lot especially with the recent time jump too...). To finish, I am truly convinced that a beloved character is not always a good character (meaning interesting and complex regarding his psychology, his evolution or personality ... One example among male characters: Glenn Rhee from The Walking Dead (kind, willing to help, but not really complex psychologically speaking, even if I adore him !) vs. Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones (To me, one of the most interesting TV series character nowadays). Let's conclude by mentioning some names who also deserved to be on the top 5 : Bree Van de Kamp from Desperate Housewives, Michonne from The Walking Dead or Margaery Tyrell from Game of Thrones ...