SOME OF THE BEST FEMALE CHARACTERS FROM OUR FAVORITE MOVIES & TV
The month of March is one that celebrates the history of women, and as I said in last week’s list, I don’t know what the history of this acknowledgement is or if it has interesting significance, but I like to keep things light and fun, and so using that as content inspiration. Today specifically is also International Women’s Day which I’m using to spotlight some of the best fictional female characters from movies and TV shows.
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SOME OF THE BEST FEMALE CHARACTERS FROM OUR FAVORITE MOVIES & TV. #TVCharacters #FavoriteCharacters #BestCharacters #WomenCharacters Share on XI have very specific thoughts on how culture portrays the sexes and what its impact should instead be, but like I said, I like to keep things fun, and so that is what this list is meant to be. Last week we put a spotlight on some of the Masterpiece characters we have met as PBS Passport features some of their best female characters, and while there are a couple repeats, this list is going to have new characters! So, let’s begin and see who has made an impact through the years.
BEST FICTIONAL FEMALE CHARACTERS from MOVIES and TV
EDITH CRAWLEY from DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE
Based on her arc in the final film, I am quite impressed with Edith’s growth. Of course, this all began in latter seasons of the six-season TV show Downton Abbey, but she really finds the voice she always had, but rarely uses (which is also a sign of wisdom) in this finale. And it is indeed grand.
Stream, at publication, the series with Masterpiece PBS; or find the film streaming on Peacock
ALEXA CROWE and MADISON from MY LIFE IS MURDER
These two! Together they are brilliant. Separately they are also brilliant. They each bring something unique and needed to the investigations they solve for police, and are also loyal to friends and each other, even if Alexa did take longer to warm to Madison!
Stream, at publication, with Acorn TV
ZIVA DAVID from NCIS: TONY and ZIVA
I mean how can we not like the feisty Ziva David? She’s a mother, a survivor, a kickass baddie and a damaged daughter. She’s also the only woman Tony has ever really loved in a deep, long-lasting way, and we love to see her healing in the spin off NCIS: Tony and Ziva.
Of course, we first meet her in season three of the long-running CBS procedural NCIS before she left, and we just see cameos from her here and there. However, we get to see her find and fight for a happy end in this one-off Paramount+ drop and it’s well worth it for those of us who followed her entire NCIS character arc.
Stream, at publication, with Paramount+
PHRYNE FISHER from MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES
What can be said about Phryne that hasn’t already been said ad nauseum? I mean, the woman is smart and she’s very snazzy looking while putting those smarts into practice. She’s also kind and quite funny too, and while her sass does get her into a pickle here and there, I also have to respect the attitude. She is also, easily, one of my most favorite female characters in the TV or movie fictional world.
Stream, at publication, with Acorn TV; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
LADY BELLE FOX from THE ARTFUL DODGER
The truth about this character is that I haven’t finished either season! I’ve seen part of season one and the same is true of season two, so my opinion on her may change. But so far, I do really like her and I think she and Jack have a (mostly) great relationship that is building on mutual respect for each other’s skill and talent, and of course, yes, there is attraction there too!
It wouldn’t be something I would ever do so I cannot relate, but I do admire Belle fighting for something she is good at while also knowing she wants her life to include love and the happiness that building that life will bring.
Stream, at publication, with Hulu
MORGAN GILLORY and SELENA SOTO from HIGH POTENTIAL
Liking Morgan’s character as well as I do is unlike any other female from recent American network TV shows. I think she’s brilliant, but she’s also vulnerable and emotional, too. Giving her three kids is wise because I think this means she doesn’t fall into the potential trap this framework may have put her in which is a character who doesn’t “feel” things because of her mind. She does suffer from this to an extent, but I think this is offset by the way she loves her kids, and how loyal she is to those she considers her “people.”
I don’t really know Selena well because we haven’t gotten to know her in the way that we have Morgan or other characters, but so far, I really do like her. She’s good, especially to Morgan, but also, she is smart and runs her precinct with those smarts and so far, I think she’s going to remain one of the good ones.
Stream, at publication, with Hulu; or catch new episodes Tuesday on ABC
AUDREY HALL from ALL CREATURES GREAT and SMALL
Every one of the characters in this show is memorable. I like them all so much, however, I think Audrey deserves the shout-out on this list. She also does all the good things and is there for those who need her talents and wisdom. She’s just so lovely and wonderful.
She runs the household where she serves as housekeeper (to the stubborn but true softie Siegfried) very well and is smart in her observations, and with the choices she makes.
Stream, at publication, with Masterpiece PBS
VIVIAN JOHNSON from WITHOUT a TRACE
I think everyone is superb on this crime show that ran from 2002 – 2009. Its ensemble cast plays their roles so very well even when they have the task of portraying a messy character. However, I think its Vivian, the woman that lead agent Jack Malone places a great deal of trust in, who has the most even (and wise!) temper which serves her so well as an agent. She’s not just a great agent, but in snippets, we also get to see her wisdom as a friend and as a mother, too.
Digitally purchase this show on places like Prime Video; or search places like Amazon for DVD copies.
BRIDGET JONES
Who doesn’t love Bridget? Before she was a character we met at the cinema, she appeared in the pages of books, but even at the cinema, we have been hanging out with her for 25 years across four films! She has fallen in and out of love, suffered loss and become a mum, and it’s all gone down as we root her on. Renee Zellweger has played the role all very well, too.
Stream, at publication, movies one – three on Paramount+; stream Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (movie four) on Peacock. You can digitally purchase these films also on places like Prime Video.
EMILY LANE from MISTLETOE MURDERS
Emily is a mysterious character, but we still love her. She has grit and hiding underneath that who-is-she-really façade there beats a heart of gold. I love that she’s learning (again) to love people and that it’s okay to let down your guard when you feel safe with someone. She’s a cool character, and Sarah Drew plays her really well, too.
The second season ends on a possibly not so happy note, but a third season is incoming so hopefully happy days are ahead.
Stream, at publication, seasons one and two, with Hallmark+
CASSANDRA LEE from MURDER in a SMALL TOWN
I really like Cassandra from this Fox drama. But more than that I like who she and the main mail lead, Karl, are together. I don’t know that there is a modern drama that puts a couple together and keeps them together even as they work through challenges. If it stays this way, I cannot tell you how refreshing and loving and lovely this is. (Although Cassandra’s portrayer, Kristin Kreuk, did also portray a similar love story in Burden of Truth, which I loved.)
However, Cassandra is resourceful and clever, and I admire how she handles situations. She is often vulnerable when something is big or scary, but I think (for the most part), she grows from her experiences and she allows those vulnerabilities to help shape her relationships.
Stream, at publication, with Hulu
HARRIET SIMS from JAG
When making a character list that includes fictional females from 90s shows, probably the character from JAG that would be mentioned is female lead Sarah aka Mac Mackenzie. Played by Catherine Bell, Mac is a great character, but I like to think about the more underappreciated characters, and Harriet certainly falls into this category.
Harriet is many things and her arc has different veins and difficulties, but through it all, she remains stalwart. She excels in her career, is a wonderful mother who also experiences unimaginable loss. She’s not just a loving wife and his partner, but also the woman who helps him find his way back after he experiences battlefield trauma. There is ebb and flow to her story, but whether she’s at her happiest or in the depths of emotion, she remains strong and someone we always want to root for. Harriet (and likely Vivian too) is probably the most underrated female character on this movie and TV list, too.
Stream, at publication, with Paramount+ or Prime Video
ELLE WOODS from LEGALLY BLONDE
Is any list about the favorite or best or memorable fictional female characters complete without the incomparable Elle Woods? In 2001, Reese Witherspoon brings this character to life in the feature film Legally Blonde and in 2026 Lexi Minetree will play her in the prequel TV series Elle.
I expect Reese’s version of the character will be my favorite just because I think she’s so good, but either way, I think this character is, well, perfect… speaking in terms of iconic pop culture characters. She is smart (albeit in unusual ways), feminine (which is sometimes more fun to see as opposed to the rebel) and also someone we can relate to. All these things combine to make Elle memorable.
Stream, at publication, with MGM+ or Peacock
WORTH the SHOUT-OUT
I’m not sure it totally fits (in the case of this fictional group of women) to mention these two women because they are actually real people, but I have to give them a shout-out. They are both resilient, determined and don’t know the meaning of the word no, which for their respective stories is definitely a quality they need to get things done!
- ERIN BROKOVICH played by JULIA ROBERTS in Erin Brokovich
- SHARON STEVENS played by HILARY SWANK in Ordinary Angels
Photos: Alamy || Acorn TV/AMC Networks || Hallmark Media || Masterpiece PBS
How many of these characters have you met? Which fictional females would you add to this movies and TV character list? Do you have any immediate standout favorites? Sound off below in the comments!
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