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What are some decent feminist friendly tv shows?

118 replies

Mishmashofstyles · 28/12/2013 16:15

Like Parks and Recreation, that you'd recommend? You know, has more than one female character, the women are doing stuff, not just mooning over men, oh, or like Buffy!

That's what I'm after mumsnet feminists, hit me with it!

OP posts:
hazchem · 29/12/2013 08:11

Silk. Not sure is it passes the bechdel test every episode but the female characters are dynamic and multifaceted.

RiaOverTheRainbow · 29/12/2013 02:48

Once Upon a Time has loads of strong, varied, multi-faceted female characters, and three of the four main characters are women. Iirc every episode passes the bechdel test.

VivaLeBeaver · 28/12/2013 20:11

The Simpsons. Grin

VivaLeBeaver · 28/12/2013 20:10

X files
ER

ChunkyPickle · 28/12/2013 20:06

Bones - cast is easily 50/50 (by now, I don't think so at the start), and the women and men are all qualified experts in their own areas.

They still hook up, but they are shown as equal relationships, even after kids.

I think most episodes will even pass the bechdel test ( especially if the 'talking about a man' rule doesn't apply to corpses)

Bamaluz · 28/12/2013 19:17

Scott & Bailey - excellent police series where most of the top jobs are held by women.

noblegiraffe · 28/12/2013 18:42

Surprised to see Steven Moffatt recommended on here, google 'Steven Moffatt sexist' to see plenty of discussion. He is shit at writing female characters, they are never well-rounded, he defaults to feisty/sexy. Russell T Davies was a far better Dr Who writer.

NotQuiteCockney · 28/12/2013 18:36

Scandal is good.

Big Love is also interesting, although maybe not exactly feminist, it does have lots of female characters, and their relationship with each other is central to the story.

ErrolTheDragon · 28/12/2013 18:32

I've never used LoveFilm....looks like the Complete Series is only about a tenner on DVD from amazon so that may be one of DDs birthday presents (Feb). GrinThanks

tribpot · 28/12/2013 18:19

Errol, Firefly is available on LoveFilm.

Original poster
Mishmashofstyles · 28/12/2013 17:47

I watched Firefly and quite liked it but can't remember a thing about it now to be honest. I didn't find it memorable at all!
Yes Brenda in 6 feet under was a great character!

Oh Nurse Jackie was another someone has mentioned to me before.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mishmashofstyles · 28/12/2013 17:42

Someone in real life said Nashville and two people on here means that's first on my list so far for my Amazon vouchers! Keep them coming!

OP posts:
LeBearPolar · 28/12/2013 17:41

This is a really interesting programme (Front Row - Radio 4) asking what happened to the Buffy legacy? - why are there no TV programmes with strong women surrounded by other strong women. The point about the male/male/female dynamic (think Harry/Ron/Hermione, Edward/Jacob/Bella, Damon/Stefan/Elena) as opposed to the female/female/male dynamic of Buffy/Willow/Xander is a really interesting one - once you start thinking about it, you realise how many shows are structured around that first pattern.

Castle has some strong women in, and Castle's home life of course is him, his mother and his daughter, both of whom are very feisty! Nathan Fillion is a Joss Whedon favourite as well - I think it all comes back to Joss!

ErrolTheDragon · 28/12/2013 17:41

I've never seen Firefly - have been recommended it in the context of good sci-fi for a teen, so this thread is making it doubly interesting to me - is it shown on any freeview channels ever or would it be a box set job?

legoplayingmumsunite · 28/12/2013 17:34

Can't believe noone has said Borgen yet! Bloody brilliant!

LeBearPolar · 28/12/2013 17:33

Agents of Shield - also written by Joss Whedon.

SunshineOnACrappyDay · 28/12/2013 17:29

Nurse Jackie.

Sister Act (bizarrely) - at its core it's about relationships between women.

EllieQ · 28/12/2013 17:29

Orphan Black (was on BBC3 recently). It always passes the Bechdel test!

PfftTheMagicDraco · 28/12/2013 17:28

Veronica Mars, baby!

tribpot · 28/12/2013 17:27

Yes, Riz and Isles is great. And of course Cagney and Lacey is being repeated on the Beeb at the mo.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 28/12/2013 17:25

Person of interest
Ok the mainest main characters are male but the women in it are tough arse kicker types and where there is sex or romance (which there isn't much) it's very much on equal terms

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 28/12/2013 17:23

Someone's mentioned steven Moffat, by that token I would say look to Josh Whedon. Obviously firefly has already been mentioned.

Someone also mentioned Rizzoli and isles to me. No idea about it though

tribpot · 28/12/2013 17:21

West Wing is somewhat 'of its time' and there's stuff in there that I don't think would make it into a show now. Admittedly Sorkin was off his head on coke so that probably didn't help. (It is still my all-time favourite show).

Nashville is another show I love and I think is fairly honest about the way younger female stars are manipulated by their (male) managers. And indeed how the same thing happens to some young male stars as well.

I would say Private Practice is better than Grey's although the female characters still do their share of angsting around after the male characters.

WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes · 28/12/2013 17:21

The Good Wife, lots of strong female characters in that one. Set in a law firm and the women aren't just the assistants and clients, one is a partner, the lead role is a very good lawyer and lots of other women in good supporting roles.

CuttedUpPear · 28/12/2013 17:13

Lurking for tips!

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