10 Strong Female Characters in Fantasy Television Shows

By Lilian Calix
August 22, 2016
Hamilton Grange Library

I love a TV show with a strong leading ladies. There are many TV shows with strong male characters that save the day or ruin the day. A leading female character stands out because of her beauty, boldness, and bravery in the face of adversity. A strong leading lady can be a hero or a villain with a lot of depth.Here are some recommendations for TV shows with strong female characters.  

The Musketeers follows the adventures of The Musketeers fighting to protect King Louis and is based on the book by Alexandre Dumas. The show’s strongest female characters is Constance. Constance is a smart, honest, strong, kind, and attentive woman who attends to the wounded and helps the musketeers any way she can. In a time when women's roles are very limited, Constance’s intelligence and honesty leads her to become a handmaiden to the queen and a very important part of the series.  

Game of Thrones is a show about seven families fighting for control of the land Westeros. Game of Thrones has a wealth of female characters.  Amongst them, who is stronger than Cersei Lannister and Olenna Tyler? Cersei is a strong female character because she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Cersei is not an inspiration to anyone, but she is a character that people strongly dislike. Olenna Tyler is a strong character because she holds no punches. She says it like she means it and fiercely protects her grandchildren.

The Tudors is a TV show based on the life of King Henry VII. The show chronicles his many marriages.  Queen Anne is a queen everyone loves to hate. She is cunning, enchanting and very determined.  

Empire is a very popular musical drama about the Lyon family. Cookie Lyon is the mother of three sons. She is a tough, loving, dedicated, talented and very funny woman. I consider her a strong female character because she had a tough upbringing and transcended above her circumstances to become a good person.   

Scandal is about Olivia Pope who owns a Crisis Management firm in Washington DC. Olivia is a brilliant and passionate woman. She is a strong female character because she rises above scandals and does her best to manage the needs of her clients.  

How to Get Away with Murder is a show about Annalise Keating, a law professor who gets in involved in a murder case along with her students. Annalise is a strong female character because although she is flawed, she also is brilliant and has a human side that gives her character a great depth.  

Once Upon a Time is a show that brings together many fairy tale characters. Once Upon a Time stars Emma Swan, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. Emma has traveled to Storybrooke, Maine to be close to the son she gave up for adoption after he goes to look for her. Emma decides to stay in Storybrooke to be close to her son and investigate the town. Emma is a very strong character because she handles whatever comes her way expertly. Emma never gives up on herself or her friends and family.

A second strong character from the Once Upon a Timeseries is  Regina Mills, also  known as the Evil Queen. Regina transforms from being the Evil Queen to being a hero and a great mother to her adopted son. Regina is strong-willed and stubborn. I consider her a great female character because inspires those around her because she was evil and became a hero while battling her inner demons.   

Lost Girl stars Bo, a succubus who feeds on the sexual energy of others. Bo is a also a detective who helps humans and Faeries with the help of her best friend, Kenzi. Bo is a very strong fighter. She is strong-willed and very comfortable in her sexuality. Bo is determined to not choose a side and become a light or dark Fae.

Orphan Black is a science fiction show centering around clones. It is extremely impressive how the leading actress, Tatiana Maslany, plays multiple characters providing layers and details that individualize each and everyone of the characters.