DH and I have become rather fond of the TV show Bones loosely based on Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan books. It's fairly standard escapist, crime investigation fare in many respects, but it occurred to me that the show's characters do challenge a number of gender stereotypes in a positive way.
Dr Brennan, the main character is a science genius (forensic anthropologist) with a strong penchant for using logic and evidence in her investigations and personal life
Booth, her male FBI sidekick is a macho man in many respects, but this is often challenged. He's the main character who deals with parenting issues and is much more lead by his emotions than Brennan.
The lab boss (in the most recent seasons) is a brilliant female pathologist.
The lab computer/technology expert is also female. She has an enthusiastic and varied sex life, but no apologies are made for this.
The no-nonsense judge is also female.
The "emotions specialist" is a young man in his twenties.
The victims tend to be evenly split between men and women, horrific sex crimes against women are seldom featured.
Brennan rescues Booth from as many dangerous situations as he does her.
And possibly most importantly, the story lines often include the airing of interesting gender-based dilemmas and conflicts. And they don't necessarily resolve in a stereotypical way, either.
I'm not claiming the show is perfect, but it does a lot better than many others of its genre do.
Any other shows or films that have struck you as including an encouraging amount of positive gender characterisations?