In an ideal world, there would be no need to write an article about the best shows with female leads, just as there’s no need to write a similar article about shows with male leads. But male characters have been the default protagonists of TV shows for decades, placing extra burdens on creators and stars when a series is centered on a female character.
Still, women have taken on lead roles in popular and influential shows since the early days of TV, and the opportunity to see female characters at the forefront has increased substantially in recent years. There’s still a long way to go, but for now, here are seven great shows to check out, led by fascinating, compelling female characters.
