Can we have a "brilliant tv programmes that centre women and manage to be brilliant without using violence and rape"?☺

[CatNamedEaster]

I've never had a stomach for violence on tv but even less so now, so I thought I'd start a thread for people who want shit-hot drama/comedy/whatever that has women at its heart but isn't fluffy Sunday night filler (nothing wrong with that, I'm not a snob).
My recent highlights have been:

Impeachment. About the Monica Lewinsky affair. I find the actresses playing Monica and Linda mesmerising and they manage to convey so much with a look.

Cutting It. Watched the whole lot in lockdown. Really funny and poignant and unafraid to show women who are strong and vulnerable and sexual.

The Pact.

In The Club. Followed a group of pregnant women, with Hermione Norris and Jill Halfpenny. Haven't seen it since it was first on so not sure if it's aged well!

Impeachment is on iPlayer, still running on BBC2.

Netflix has some good Sci Fi films and TV (well if you can get past the dodgy science)

I've just finished 'Away' .

Nightflyers has some violence but is still good.

I am mother.

Intergalactic, female prison space ship with a mutiny, and that's the start.

Firefly Lane

Fleabag of course, and Motherland

Wow this lot should keep me going for ages.

Yes Impeachment has been brilliant.

It's great that there ARE these programmes. I actually emailed the makers of Happy Valley about the violence (I gave up after the the young female officer was killed) as I was so disappointed. You can suggest something and be clever with it without resorting to sickening scenes. There is so much opportunity for gripping tv between the extremes of Heartbeat and Peaky Blinders!

I've been enjoying Back to Life recently too. I like these programmes that are sort of funny but also so poignant and bittersweet.

Yes Motherland too. Excruciating stuff! DH just sits there wondering why I like it.

Oh I forgot Annika, OK she is a murder detective so there is some violence.

Scott and Bailey. It does have some violence in, but the main characters (all those in positions of power) are women and a lot of the plot focuses on the dynamics between them - the crimes are almost secondary to the friendships. Plus it has Amelia Bullmore and Nicola Walker in it!

Insecure-is funny but the real focus is on two women, the friendship and how they are growing. All the characters have great depth and well written.

Never Have I Ever

Also Enlightenment, drama or black comedy I suppose in which Laura Dern fights corporate corruption after a breakdown. It's quite old but I'd never seen it until this year - it's on Now TV. She's so great in it. Think she might be the producer too.

I just binge-watched In My Skin, really enjoyed it - here's a review: www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/nov/09/in-my-skin-review-raw-coming-of-age-tale-is-a-total-tv-gem

I may destroy you, it does have sexual violence but the way in which it is handled is extraordinary. Really centring lived experiences in an extremely sensitive way. I think one of the best TV shows I have ever watched.

I really enjoyed the winx saga about fairy’s at a boarding school. It was some fantastic female performances.

I also loved Nurse Jackie for the central characters

We Are Ladyparts.

I think Suranne Jones' Gentleman Jack was incredible!

It's funny isn't it because something like I May Destroy You would never have been on my list because the trailers seemed so dark that I didn't think I'd be able to watch it so I should probably give it a go.

Scott & Bailey is one of those ones that I just never got around to watching so I might start on that next.

I like the suggestions of some of the comedies/black humoured ones as well.

Coronation Street in the 1960s and 1970s.

Anne with an E.

Anne with an E is a good suggestion.

@LoveGrooveDanceParty

The Morning Show?

The Morning Show is bloody brill but has a long running sexual assault storyline that is resolved harrowingly.

Ted Lasso is an amazing feel good program that really significantly perked up my mental health. Although it is "A Football Show" it also has strong female characters supporting each other and is just a Really Nice watch.

Also Parks And Rec is very Girls Support Girls as well

I will try and think of more OP

I wish more tv producers would realise that a lot of us don't want to be "entertained " by sexual violence. We have lived through it and it was not entertaining. Even if it is necessary for a plot, it doesn't have to be shown . It can be implied or glimpsed.

Oh, just remembered Crash Landing On You - Korean subtitles. So entertaining - ridiculously romantic plus drama & comedy. Very woman-centric. I got completely hooked on it during lockdown after someone recommended it on here.

The Morning Show is bloody brill but has a long running sexual assault storyline that is resolved harrowingly.

You’re absolutely right (it really is so seemingly difficult for producers to avoid, isn’t it?), but it’s a good post #metoo drama that begins with the fall of a man in ‘powerful’ position due to sexual harassment.

And the two leads are women who know what they want.

Motherland, Fleabag and Call My Agent are ace.
Have you seen Mum? Thats really good.
I am a sucker for Miss Marple, Agatha Christie is my comfort viewing.
Cagney and Lacey I love although it is quite gritty.
Marvelous Miss Mazel on Amazon is a fun watch too
Women Who Kill, there are some references to DV but its very woman focused and some brilliant characters / themes. I really enjoyed it.

‘This way up’ on 4 on Demand is fantastic, bittersweet and funny about the relationship between two sisters. Written by and starring Ashling Bea and also starring Sharon Horgan, both of whom I absolutely adore.

Three Families was very moving. Set in Ireland, showing the impact of abortion law on three women and their families.