Television has been steadily taking over movies for a while now. Film stars are moving over to the small screen with shows on top streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Max. TV has always been a powerful medium for storytelling, and with it, comes characters that stick around for longer. In recent years, we’ve seen a surge of incredible female-empowering characters who inspire, lead, and break barriers in popular TV shows. Whether they’re fighting villains, challenging societal norms, or just living unapologetically, these women are redefining what it means to be strong, smart, and dare we say…badass.
In celebration of Women’s Month, here’s our list of ten of the most empowering female characters on TV shows today:
1. Wednesday Addams – Wednesday
Although Christina Ricci’s Wednesday (from the 90s The Addams Family) can hardly be outdone, Jenna Ortega’s take on the iconic character in Netflix’s Wednesday sure gives it a run. The Gen-Z starlet of today’s take is a brilliant, independent, and unapologetically weird protagonist. She’s intelligent, fiercely determined, and proves that embracing your individuality is a superpower in itself. Her deadpan delivery and morbid ways allow women who might be a little off-kilter to see themselves in a Wednesday who is equal parts kooky and cool.
2. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen – House of the Dragon
This Game of Thrones prequel introduced us to a younger Rhaenyra, played by both Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy. A woman fighting for her rightful place in a male-dominated world, Rhaenyra embodies resilience and ambition. Not to mention, the struggle for gender equality. She is who Game of Thrones fanatics are crowning the new Daenerys Targaryen from the original show. Rhaenyra fearlessly stands up for herself and those she represents. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to get what is hers, no matter the risk or sacrifice.
3. Ahsoka Tano – Ahsoka
A longtime fan favorite from Star Wars, Ahsoka’s 2023 live-action series puts her in the spotlight as a beacon of feminism. As a powerful warrior and wise leader, she challenges authority, fights for justice, and proves that heroism isn’t about where you come from, but what you stand for. Rosario Dawson does an incredible job of playing female-empowering characters, but she was born for Ahsoka. As most Star Wars fans know, Ahsoka was once Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice, training to become a Jedi. After Skywalker turned into Darth Vader, she chose the Light Side of the Force: a classic case of student-becomes-master. Season Two is expected to release late 2025 or early 2026 on DisneyPlus and Hulu.
4. Isla Gordon – Running Point
Kate Hudson’s Isla Gordon in Running Point, the latest Netflix drop, is an unexpected force to be reckoned with in the sports industry –– basketball to be specific. After taking over her brother’s role as President and CEO of The Waves (like the LA Lakers), she faces challenges that would otherwise be non-existent if she weren’t a woman. Throughout the show, sports business titans and reporters undermine Isla’s efforts, but with each adversity, she shows bravado and agility. Smart, strategic, and ambitious, Isla proves that leadership and perseverance can shatter glass ceilings.
5. Mabel Mora – Only Murders in the Building
Selena Gomez brings wit, sarcasm, and sharp investigative skills to Mabel in Only Murders in the Building. She’s independent, street-smart, and doesn’t back down—even when caught up in a dangerous mystery. Mabel could easily be overpowered by her senior team, Charles (Steve Martin) and Oliver (Martin Short), whose dynamic comedy duo are the driving force of the show, but Mabel acts as a great stabilizer. She consistently moderates the two, balancing their quirks and elderly moments with clarity, focus, and a Millennial no-nonsense attitude that keeps everyone in check.
6. Rue Bennett – Euphoria
While Rue (Zendaya) struggles with addiction, her character in Euphoria represents resilience, vulnerability, and the fight for self-discovery. She’s not a traditional role model, but her journey is raw and deeply real. Although the show pushes the envelope in sensitive material, it is considered Gen-Z’s mega-hit. Rue (along with other characters) accurately portrays the experiences and struggles teenagers face. Issues such as drug use, mental health, sex, and complex relationships within high school life. Gen-Z viewers find the show’s content to be very relatable, even with its graphic scenes and dialogue.
7. Juliette Nichols – Silo
Rebecca Ferguson’s Juliette in AppleTV’s Silo is a brilliant, resourceful engineer who becomes an unexpected leader in a dystopian society. She represents intelligence, grit, and the power of questioning the system. Juliette’s skills have her working in a predominantly male field of engineers. She leads the team tasked to keep the generator working–their only source of power in the Silo. Juliette gets her hands dirty and is not afraid to stand up to the authority. The Silo community has been conditioned to believe there is nothing beyond the Silo, and all those who leave will immediately die. Juliette embarks on a risky endeavor to prove them wrong by searching for life and hope outside the Silo.
8. Starlight – The Boys
In a world dominated by corrupt superheroes, Erin Moriarty’s Starlight is a beacon of integrity. She refuses to be objectified or silenced, standing up to injustice—even when it puts her life at risk. Starlight, aka Annie January, is the deuteragonist: the person second in importance to the protagonist in a drama. She is down-to-earth and sincere–the girl next door with superpowers, but will not tolerate abuse or ego from anyone. As Starlight, she’s selected to join The Seven, the first iteration of The Boys, ironically as one of the three women chosen.
9. Kate Sharma – Bridgerton
Simone Ashley’s Kate in Bridgerton Season Two is a refreshingly modern take on a period drama heroine–bold, fearless, and relatable. She breaks the mold of traditional romance leads by being both vulnerable and strong-willed. Viewers see Kate as a standout character in the Netflix hit based on Julia Quinn’s book series. She’s uninterested in the Regency Era’s societal expectations of women, is fiercely independent, and speaks her mind. Kate arrives in London from India with the goal of ensuring her sister, Edwina, makes a good match. However, she quickly becomes entangled in a slow-burn romance with Anthony Bridgerton, whom she isn’t afraid to challenge.
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10. Beth Dutton – Yellowstone
Beth Dutton, played by Kelly Reilly, is one of the most intense and commanding female characters on TV. She’s ruthless in business and fiercely loyal to her family—making her a modern-day force of nature. Whether she’s going head-to-head with corporate villains, political threats, or anyone who dares to cross her family, she does it with brutal efficiency. Beth Dutton is not your typical heroine—she’s sharp, aggressive, and cutthroat, but that’s exactly what makes her so captivating. She represents female power and the idea that women can be soft and strong, but they don’t ever need to be “saved.”
These women remind us that strength comes in many forms: intelligence, resilience, humor, or the ability to stand up for what’s right, making them the top female-empowering characters in TV today. These ten female powerhouses also show us that it’s okay to have flaws and to make mistakes. Most importantly, they teach us that we’re allowed to take up space and lead on our own terms. If you’re going to watch a TV show, it should be one of these!
Want to read more of strong female leads in cinema? Don’t miss our take on the best ‘Final Girls’ from Horror movies who taught us to face our fears—check it out here!
Also read: 10 Female-Driven Books That Celebrate Strong, Complex Women
