The goal of this piece is to highlight some of the best female characters on TV who are breaking out of traditional roles and doing what is least expected of them in their respective shows. For example, this article will examine the expectations of five female characters in their respective societies versus the actual behavior of the female characters on said show. A good example is going to be The Handmaid’s Tale, which is a show that highlights how some women on TV subvert typical norms of the society they are forced to partake in. With that in mind, here are some of the most fascinating female characters on TV right now!
Lucy MacLean, Fallout
When the series started, Lucy was a rule-following, law-abiding citizen who didn’t dare venture outside of society’s boundaries. However, once she ventures aboveground in this sci-fi drama, everything changes. According to The Wrap, “A descendant of the original Vault Dwellers, Lucy has spent her entire life in this rule-abiding and sterilized underground existence. When she first ventures above ground, she’s in for a rude awakening.”
Throughout the remainder of the series, the audience watches Lucy come into her own as she attempts to rescue her father, Hank, ignoring many others’ pleas to remain inside. She bravely ventures across the unknown wasteland in her quest to rescue her dad. By the end of the first season, Lucy has become a strong and courageous character, willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family.
Lady Jane Grey, My Lady Jane
My Lady Jane depicts a woman thrust into a position she didn’t necessarily want and is forced to make the best of it. In the series, Lady Jane Grey finds herself suddenly ascending to the throne overnight, destined to take on a role she never wanted in the first place. A strong-willed and daring character, Jane faces a lot of opposition to her appointment, yet she bravely faces these challenges head-on.
Chris Vognar of The New York Times describes My Lady Jane as “The latest of a handful of recent series that feature strong women attempting to wrest control of their destinies in the oppressively patriarchal societies of 16th- and 17th-century Europe, a period perched between the Middle Ages and the stirrings of modernity.” He then goes on to describe Lady Jane as a character with “a swashbuckling flair and a self-knowing wink,” one who fights back against the hostility and resentment thrown her way to lead the kingdom to the future she envisions for them.
Rhaenyra Targaryen, House of the Dragon
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Although she was named heir to the throne by her father, Rhaenyra Targaryen faces many struggles throughout her journey to reclaim her birthright in House of the Dragon. Particularly in the show’s second season, the princess encounters several men in her kingdom who try to incite violence and bully Rhaenyra into war. However, she shows resilience, patience, and restraint. Much of the foundation of House of the Dragon centers on Rhaenyra’s journey to the throne and her quest to lead in a world where many people don’t respect women or their right to rule.
In turn, there are a great deal of people trying to limit Rhaenyra’s power. In spite of it all, the Targaryen Princess shows great strength, fortitude, and courage for the sake of her kingdom. By all accounts, Rhaenyra is the rightful queen in the eyes of those who support her, despite what others may say.
Moira Strand, The Handmaid’s Tale
Ever since the beginning of the series, Moira has rejected her fate of being relegated to a Handmaid. In season one, audiences see her pushback against the role society has delegated to her when she instead becomes a Jezebel, choosing to work as a prostitute rather than play the game Gilead tries to involve her in. In the most recent season, Moira has escaped to Canada and is helping June heal from the trauma she endured in Gilead.
She also works as a U.S. embassy employee, helping rescue and rehabilitate others once they, too, have escaped from Gilead’s society. Moira’s character revolted against Gilead from the very beginning, refusing to partake in society the way she was expected to. She wouldn’t work as a Handmaid, and even after her escape, she is working to help others overcome the severe trauma they sustained at Gilead’s hand.
Eloise Bridgerton, Bridgerton
In Bridgerton, Eloise has always been the character that is a mirror of the audience, pushing back against societal rules and the expectations thrust upon her by the marriage mart. As fans of the show know, Eloise, the fifth Bridgerton child, has a bit of a rebellious streak. For the past three seasons, viewers have watched Eloise grapple with the concept of exploring life outside the Ton as she searches for something with more meaning. She has no interest in being wed and rejects a life of being reduced only to someone’s wife or mother.
Several times throughout the series, Eloise can be seen making offhand comments about how marriage and babies are a trap, a means to keep women complacent in society. For example, in Season 1, she is seen telling Benedict, “Suppose I desire something different. Suppose I want a different life, that I truly believe I am quite capable of something more, even when I am not allowed to have anything else.”
This is just one of several examples that illustrate Eloise’s desire to explore the world. It depicts how thoroughly unimpressed she is with the stereotypical marriage and kids ideologies of most women of the time.
Why Are Seeing These Types of Women on TV Important?
The types of female characters are important because they remind us never to settle for less than we deserve. They teach us to know our worth and fight for what we think is right. Many of these characters are role models to audiences around the world and should be celebrated for the representation they provide for women everywhere, regardless of circumstance. May we all learn to be a little more like them!
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