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TV shows featuring fierce and fashionable women

These series showcase women who are not only stylish but also complex, powerful, and often navigating intense drama or intriguing mysteries. Get ready to discover shows where female characters take center stage, driving the plot with their wit, ambition, and undeniable presence.

Pretty Little Liars
Desperate Housewives
The Bold Type

Television has evolved significantly, offering audiences a wealth of series centered around compelling female characters who are far more than just eye candy. From the groundbreaking fashion statements and candid conversations about relationships in shows like Sex and the City to the high-stakes political maneuvering in Scandal, these series feature women who are intelligent, ambitious, and often flawed, making them incredibly relatable and endlessly fascinating.

You'll find everything from the glamorous, backstabbing world of the Upper East Side in Gossip Girl and the suburban secrets of Desperate Housewives to the intense legal dramas of How to Get Away with Murder. These shows delve into themes of friendship, rivalry, love, career ambition, and survival, often pushing boundaries and sparking important conversations. They highlight the strength, resilience, and multifaceted nature of women, proving that female-led narratives can be some of the most captivating stories on screen.

14. The Handmaid's Tale (2017)

Enter the dystopian world of Gilead in The Handmaid's Tale. Based on Margaret Atwood's classic novel, this powerful and unsettling series depicts a totalitarian society where fertile women, known as Handmaids, are forced into sexual servitude. The show is a stark and often brutal examination of oppression, resistance, and the fight for survival. Elisabeth Moss delivers a stunning performance as Offred, a Handmaid determined to find her daughter and escape the horrors of Gilead. The Handmaid's Tale is a thought-provoking and important series that serves as a chilling reminder of the fragility of freedom.

The Handmaid's Tale

13. Big Little Lies (2017)

Delve into the complex lives of seemingly perfect women in Big Little Lies. This critically acclaimed limited series is based on the novel by Liane Moriarty and follows the lives of three mothers in a wealthy California town whose lives are disrupted by a murder investigation. The show boasts an incredible ensemble cast, including Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Zoë Kravitz, all of whom deliver powerful performances. Big Little Lies is praised for its exploration of themes like domestic violence, female friendships, and the pressures of modern motherhood. It's a compelling and beautifully shot series that will stay with you long after you've finished watching.

Big Little Lies

12. Riverdale (2017)

Welcome to the dark and mysterious town of Riverdale. This teen drama, based on the characters from Archie Comics, takes a much darker turn than its source material, exploring the secrets and crimes lurking beneath the surface of a seemingly idyllic town. The show blends elements of mystery, horror, and teen romance, creating a unique and often wild viewing experience. Riverdale is known for its stylized visuals and its willingness to embrace the more outlandish aspects of its storylines. If you're looking for a show that's both dramatic and a little bit bonkers, this is it.

Riverdale

11. Friends (1994)

Could this show BE any more iconic? Friends is a beloved sitcom that follows the lives of six friends living in New York City as they navigate their twenties and thirties. Known for its witty humor, relatable characters, and heartwarming storylines, Friends became a cultural phenomenon and remains incredibly popular to this day. The show's central setting, the coffee shop Central Perk, is instantly recognizable, and the theme song is one of the most famous in television history. It's a feel-good show that offers comfort and laughter with every viewing.

Friends

10. Grey's Anatomy (2005)

Step into the operating room and the lives of the doctors at Seattle Grace Hospital in Grey's Anatomy. This long-running medical drama created by Shonda Rhimes has become a television institution, known for its compelling characters, dramatic storylines, and emotional depth. The show explores the personal and professional lives of surgical residents and their mentors, tackling complex medical cases alongside intricate relationship dynamics. Grey's Anatomy has been praised for its diverse cast and its willingness to address challenging social issues. It's a show that has resonated with audiences for years, offering a mix of heartbreak and hope.

Grey's Anatomy

9. The Vampire Diaries (2009)

Sink your teeth into the supernatural world of The Vampire Diaries. This popular series follows the life of Elena Gilbert, a teenage girl who falls in love with a centuries-old vampire, and the subsequent drama that unfolds in the fictional town of Mystic Falls. Based on the book series by L. J. Smith, the show captivated audiences with its blend of romance, fantasy, and horror. The love triangle between Elena and the Salvatore brothers became a central focus of the series and sparked passionate debates among fans. It's a fun and often intense ride into the world of vampires and the humans who love them.

The Vampire Diaries

8. How to Get Away with Murder (2014)

Prepare for legal drama and intense suspense in How to Get Away with Murder. This thrilling series follows a group of ambitious law students and their brilliant, enigmatic criminal defense professor, Annalise Keating, as they become entangled in a shocking murder plot. Another hit from the mind of Shonda Rhimes, the show is known for its complex characters, twisty storylines, and non-linear narrative structure. Viola Davis's performance as Annalise Keating is nothing short of phenomenal, earning her an Emmy Award and making her the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. It's a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

How to Get Away with Murder

7. Orange Is the New Black (2013)

Explore the lives of the women incarcerated at Litchfield Penitentiary in Orange Is the New Black. This critically acclaimed series offers a raw and often humorous look at the American prison system through the eyes of Piper Chapman, a privileged woman who is sentenced to prison for a decade-old crime. Based on Piper Kerman's memoir, the show is celebrated for its diverse cast and its willingness to tackle difficult and important social issues. It's a powerful and moving series that sheds light on the lives and experiences of women from all walks of life.

Orange Is the New Black

6. Scandal (2012)

Enter the high-stakes world of political crisis management with Scandal. This gripping series follows Olivia Pope, a former White House Communications Director who starts her own crisis management firm, handling the scandals of Washington D.C.'s elite. Created by Shonda Rhimes, Scandal is known for its fast-paced plotting, sharp dialogue, and shocking twists. Kerry Washington's portrayal of Olivia Pope was groundbreaking and earned her widespread critical acclaim. The show's exploration of power, morality, and the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of influence is truly compelling.

Scandal

5. The Bold Type (2017)

Dive into the world of fashion and media with The Bold Type. This show follows three best friends working at a global women's magazine in New York City as they navigate their careers, relationships, and identities. Inspired by the life of former Cosmopolitan editor-in-chief Joanna Coles, The Bold Type is a refreshing and empowering series that tackles contemporary issues faced by young women today. The show is celebrated for its positive portrayal of female friendships and its willingness to address topics like sexuality, race, and social justice. It's an uplifting and inspiring watch.

The Bold Type

4. Desperate Housewives (2004)

Step onto Wisteria Lane and into the lives of the residents of Desperate Housewives. This show blends comedy, drama, and mystery as it explores the secrets and scandals hidden behind the seemingly perfect facades of suburban life. Created by Marc Cherry, the series became a massive success, earning numerous awards and critical acclaim. The show's unique tone, which shifts seamlessly between humor and darkness, was a major draw for audiences. It's a fascinating look at the complexities of female friendships and the often-unseen struggles faced by women in their daily lives.

Desperate Housewives

3. Pretty Little Liars (2010)

Get ready for secrets and suspense in Pretty Little Liars! This show follows four friends whose lives are turned upside down after the disappearance of their friend Alison and the emergence of a mysterious figure known as 'A' who threatens to expose their deepest secrets. Based on the popular book series by Sara Shepard, Pretty Little Liars kept audiences guessing for seven seasons with its intricate plot twists and turns. The show's use of social media and technology felt incredibly relevant and added to the overall mystery. It's a thrilling ride from start to finish, perfect for anyone who loves a good whodunit.

Pretty Little Liars

2. Gossip Girl (2007)

Welcome to the Upper East Side, where the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite are constantly under the watchful eye of the mysterious Gossip Girl. This show is pure teenage drama gold, filled with secrets, lies, and absolutely stunning fashion. Based on the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar, Gossip Girl became an instant hit, launching the careers of many of its young stars. The show's narrator, Kristen Bell, provided the voice of the titular blogger, adding another layer of intrigue to the already captivating storylines. If you're looking for a show with high stakes, high fashion, and a whole lot of drama, you've found it.

Gossip Girl

1. Sex and the City (1998)

Step into the fabulous world of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda in Sex and the City! This iconic series redefined television in the late 90s and early 2000s, offering a candid and often hilarious look at love, sex, and relationships from a female perspective in New York City. It was a cultural phenomenon, sparking countless conversations and influencing fashion trends for years to come. Did you know the show is based on Candace Bushnell's 1997 book of the same name? The witty dialogue and the stunning fashion are just two of the reasons this show remains a must-watch for anyone interested in the lives and loves of four incredibly different but equally compelling women.

Sex and the City

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