25 Well-Written Female Characters That Still Deserve Applause

Women in media were often depicted as helpless or mere eye candy supporting male heroes. But thanks to pioneering actresses and strong writing, dynamic female characters began to take centre stage. From the serious role of Trinity from Matrix to iconic teenage schoolgirl Buffy Summers from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, these well-cast roles resonated with audiences, inspiring many to admire or emulate them. Scroll down for a list of favourites from a recent discussion thread on Reddit.

#1

Image source: AJerkForAllSeasons, The Silence of the Lambs Clarice Starling.

#2

Image source: Piyushmessi10 Ellen Ripley in Alien

#3

Image source: Skoofer, Boss452 Emily Blunt in Edge of Tomorrow & Sicario.

#4

Image source: ImperatorRomanum, Star Wars Leia Organa.

#5

Image source: Cowcat0, X-Files Ripley is the ultimate Queen. Gotta add Scully from the X-Files. Smart, level headed, can take care of herself and kick a*s when needed.

#6

Image source: puppiesandrainbows3, Buffy Buffy Summers. Incredibly brave, honest, smart, kind, but still a teenage girl having to deal with teenage girl problems like popularity at school, homework & grades, being a good big sister, dating boys (most of whom are vampires), a hellmouth at her high school, and trying to save the world from the apocalypse.

#7

Image source: Successful-Ad4251, Terminator 2 Tv? Sarah Conner from the Sarah Conner Chronicles. Movie? Sarah Conner from the Terminator movies No matter the format, or who played her she always kicked a*s and was smart as hell.

#8

Image source: Spock-1701, Avengers Emma Peel.

#9

Image source: Pheerandlowthing, The Matrix TV - Carol in The Walking Dead Trinity - The Matrix.

#10

Image source: Indoorsman101, FARGO You picked the GOAT op I’d add Furiosa, Clarice Starling and Marge Gunderson.

#11

Image source: Krinks1, Fringe Olivia Dunham in Fringe.

#12

Image source: AbsolutelyNotAPossum, The Expanse Some of my favorites: Camina Drummer - The Expanse Kira Nerys - Deep Space Nine Dana Scully - The X-Files.

#13

Image source: Mysterious_Travel669, Parks and Recreation The women from the people who wrote The Office/Parks and Rec/Brooklyn 99 and The Good Place. Specifically Leslie Knope.

#14

Seven of Nine, especially in Star Trek: Picard. (Honorable mention to Catherine Janeway). Image source: mikefrombarto

#15

Image source: thehound48, Rogue One Jyn Erso.

#16

Image source: sWo97, Kill Bill: Vol 2 Beatrix Kiddo and Oren Ishi Strong willed, skilled, flawed, vulnerable and able to overcome their disadvantages.

#17

Image source: KyorlSadei, Fifth Element I always loved Leeloo in Fifth Element.

#18

Image source: Zealousideal-Pay3937, Better Call Saul Kim Wexler, Better Call Saul.

#19

Image source: pman13531, Netflix Jessica Jones in the Netflix show.

#20

Image source: delifte, The Long Kiss Goodnight Geena Davis in the Long Kiss Goodnight Amy Adams in Arrival Jackie Brown.

#21

Image source: TUGBoat85007, Babylon 5 Delenn, Susan Ivanova, Lyra Alexander- Babylon 5.

#22

Image source: TremontRemy, The Hunger Games Katniss Everdeen.

#23

Image source: Dan_flashes480, RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE Alice in Resident Evil and the Bride in K**l Bill.

#24

Image source: loulara17, Battlestar Galactica Laura Roslin - BSG.

#25

Image source: neisaysthis, Veronica Mars Veronica Mars! Villanelle and Eve Polastri and Carolyn Martens! Lorelai Gilmore! Emily Gilmore!