Don't even think about crossing these fictional divas. 35 of the fiercest female TV characters of all time

Don't even think about crossing these fictional divas.

35 of the fiercest female TV characters of all time

Don't even think about crossing these fictional divas.

By James Mercadante,

Alamin Yohannes,

Maureen Lee Lenker,

Maureen Lee Lenker

Maureen Lee Lenker is a senior writer at ** with over seven years of experience in the entertainment industry. An award-winning journalist, she's written for Turner Classic Movies, *Ms. Magazine*, *The Hollywood Reporter*, and more. She's worked at EW for six years covering film, TV, theater, music, and books. The author of EW's quarterly romance review column, "Hot Stuff," Maureen holds Master's degrees from both the University of Southern California and the University of Oxford. Her debut novel, *It Happened One Fight*, is now available. Follow her for all things related to classic Hollywood, musicals, the romance genre, and Bruce Springsteen.

EW's editorial guidelines

Nick is an entertainment journalist based in New York, NY. If you like pugs and the occasional blurry photo of an action figure, follow him on Twitter @NickARomano.

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and Sydney Bucksbaum

Sydney Bucksbaum

Sydney Bucksbaum is a writer at covering all things pop culture – but TV is her one true love. She currently lives in Los Angeles but grew up in Chicago so please don't make fun of her accent when it slips out.

EW's editorial guidelines

on September 2, 2025 8:30 a.m. ET

Kaitlyn Dever as Abby Anderson on 'The Last of Us'; Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope on 'Scandal'; Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne on 'The Handmaid's Tale'. Credit:

Liane Hentscher/HBO; Kevin Estrada/ABC; Elly Dassas/Hulu

Who run the world?

Strong women TV leads prove you don't need a giant screen to make a huge impact. Television once treated women as accessories to the male lead, but today's female characters take up space, and redefine what power looks like on screen. Whether she's destroying evil by hand (Buffy Summers on *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*), commanding an OR (Meredith Grey on *Grey's Anatomy*), owning her sexuality (Samantha Jones on *Sex and the City*), or just radiating an energy you can't look away from — these women *are* the story.

We rounded up some of the fiercest, messiest, most exceptional women to grace the medium (and we could've made this longer than a Shonda Rhimes monologue, but...we had to stop somewhere). Let's see if your favorite made the cut.

Abby Anderson (The Last of Us)

Kaitlyn Dever as Abby Anderson in the season 2 finale of 'The Last of Us'.

Liane Hentscher/HBO

We get it — what Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), the daughter of head Firefly surgeon Gerald Anderson (Darren Dolynski), did to Joel (Pedro Pascal) in *The Last of Us* season 2 is the toughest pill to swallow. But unlike the videogame, the HBO series gives us a glimpse into what Dever tells EW is a "very human part of her that has been struggling for so long," revealing what she sees as a core theme of the show: "All of those characters are just flawed human beings in a lot of ways."

So no, Abby isn't just a one-note villain, and her strengths aren't to be ignored. It's not just her lethal combat skills, but the way she channels her grief into a rage potent enough to reshape the story itself. And while she's not here to be "liked," she's far from heartless, which is exactly why we're ready to see her take the driver's seat in season 3. —*James Mercadante*

Alicia Florrick (The Good Wife)

Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick on 'The Good Wife'.

Jeff Neumann/CBS via Getty Images

Litigator Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) found herself making headlines as a wife whose famous State's Attorney husband (Chris Noth) is in the midst of a scandal, and *The Good Wife* tracks her journey as she starts her own life again.

Alicia wins cases, navigates a complex workplace where very few believed in her, and fights against people who see her as an extension of her husband. The newly-liberated Alicia gets angry, ambitious, and occasionally ruthless, but she's done suffering fools or caring about other people's expectations of her. *—Alamin Yohannes*

Angela Abar (Watchmen)

Regina King as Angela Abar on 'Watchmen'. Mark Hill/HBO

Whether in or out of costume as the masked vigilante Sister Night, Angela Abar (Regina King) exudes righteous fury and ass-kicking power from the moment she first appears on screen on HBO's *Watchmen*.

Born in Vietnam (which in the *Watchmen*-verse becomes the 51st U.S. state), Angela eventually lands in the Tulsa Police Department, taking on the Sister Night mantle after a horrific massacre that leads all cops to wear masks. With a no-nonsense attitude ("I got a nose for white supremacy, and he smells like bleach") and detective skills to rival any version of Batman, Angela is truly a hero for our times. *—Tyler Aquilina*

Annalise Keating (How to Get Away With Murder)

Viola Davis as Annalise Keating on 'How to Get Away With Murder'. Mitch Haaseth/ABC

No one knows how to rock a courtroom or clean up a mess like Annalise Keating (Viola Davis). Fighting her own demons over six seasons, she also found time to regularly save her students' lives, win impossible court cases, and head up a landmark class-action case for criminal justice reform at the Supreme Court. And that's even before we mention her killer fashion sense and unapologetic sexuality.

Ultimately, *How to Get Away With Murder* was about Annalise stripping away her mask to live the life she truly deserved. And we can't think of anything fiercer or braver than showing that kind of vulnerability after fighting for decades to prove yourself. *—Maureen Lee Lenker*

Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Richard Cartwright/WB

Despite her petite stature, we learned throughout the show that it would be foolish to underestimate Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar). The vampire killer's quick thinking and courage proved that you don't need to be the biggest and baddest person in the room to help people. Buffy saved the world over and over again, and she did it while battling another terrifying demon: high school. *—Rachel Yang*

Carrie Mathison (Homeland)

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison on 'Homeland'.

Stephan Rabold/Showtime

CIA Agent Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) doesn't play by the agency's rules, but in all fairness to Carrie, when she has a hunch about something terrorism-related, she's usually right.

It can't be easy being one of the smartest agents, especially when dealing with politically-minded management, but luckily, Carrie has a champion in Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin), who believes so strongly in her talents that he'll go all the way to the president to defend her. Carrie's willingness to tackle her bipolar diagnosis in healthier ways as the seasons continue is just another example of her strength. *—Jolie Lash*

Catherine of Aragon (The Spanish Princess)

(From left): Stephanie Levi-John as Lina, Charlotte Hope as Princess Catherine, and Nadia Parkes as Rosa on 'The Spanish Princess'. Nick Briggs/Starz

History has often relegated Catherine to the ignominy of losing Henry VIII's heart to Anne Boleyn and helping spur him to break from Catholicism. But as she's portrayed by Charlotte Hope on *The Spanish Princess*, it's clear she's far fiercer than she's often remembered.

Catherine is tenacious and determined to seize her birthright as queen and to fight for love and country. If her indomitable will in season 1 wasn't enough, wait until you see her in season 2, going to war in full armor while pregnant (which, yes, is true). *—M.L.L.*

Cookie Lyon (Empire)

Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon on 'Empire'.

Chuck Hodes/Fox

If clothes could talk, Loretta "Cookie" Lyon's (Taraji P. Henson) fashionable statements would tell an inspiring yet powerful story of a businesswoman raised in Philadelphia's inner-city streets all on their own. Known for rocking lavish furs, her luxury clothing expresses Cookie's desires for her family after spending 17 years in prison for dealing drugs, a stint that provided the seed money for the label she founded with her ex-husband, Lucious Lyons (Terrence Howard).

Her choice of intriguing colors and patterns highlights her love for music and art, and the elaborate statement pieces she adds reveal she is a woman of distinction. From harsh prison experiences to building a generational dynasty, Cookie's clothes tell the story of a woman who refuses to fail due to her passions: family and music. *—Joshua Edwards*

Dana Scully (The X-Files)

Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully on 'The X-Files'. Fox

On *The X-Files*, Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) cemented herself as one of the most iconic sci-fi characters of all time; a doctor and skeptic who explored the paranormal alongside her partner at the FBI, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny). The character was so beloved that it created what is called "The Scully Effect," women in real life who choose to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), inspired by Scully. *—A.Y.*

Deborah Vance (Hacks)

Jean Smart as Deborah Vance on 'Hacks'.

Courtesy of Max

Some may call Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) an impossible-to-please crowd. And, okay, she can be a demanding, dagger-tongued, stone-cold boss (and if you cross her, you're cooked). But there's an undeniable power in her ability to withstand decades of shifting tastes and cultural tides as a woman in the androcentric world of comedy.

In an industry that habitually devalues women of a certain age, Deborah knows better than to shrink herself or her ambition. Instead, she presents two lovely middle fingers to anyone who claims a woman — let alone an older one — can't host a late-night show. Now, she's doing exactly that, and she got there by doing whatever it took. —*J.M.*

Diana Prince (Wonder Woman)

Lynda Carter as Diana Prince on 'Wonder Woman'. Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Before an infinite amount of superhero content was available across multiple platforms on demand, there was Lynda Carter's *Wonder Woman*. Across three seasons, the Amazonian princess Diana — later known as Diana Prince while in disguise — navigates life in her new home in the United States while fighting crime with the aid of her magical accessories: bullet-deflecting bracelets and a golden Lasso of Truth.

Not only did Wonder Woman inspire young women in the '70s by proving females weren't the weaker sex, but her legacy continues to grow through recent iterations of the character on the big screen through Gal Gadot. Carter was pretty inspirational in her own right as one of the first Latinas to portray a superhero. —*Rosy Cordero*

Eleven (Stranger Things)

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven on 'Stranger Things'. Courtesy of Netflix

It was hard not to adore pre-teen Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) when we first met her — on the run after having escaped Hawkins National Laboratory, and curious about everything as she encountered things in the real world. Despite years of being experimented on, Eleven was able to trust the group of young boys she came across, nicknamed the Party. And they had her back when she needed them most — saving Hawkins, Ind., from the Demogorgon and other perils from the Upside Down.

Psychokinetic abilities aside, Eleven was also brave enough to express her desire for a family (which came in the form of David Harbour's Sheriff Jim Hopper), and needed to fully embrace life as a young person — dances, first kisses, and all. *—J.L.*

Eve Polastri (Killing Eve)

Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri on 'Killing Eve'. Des Willie/BBCAmerica

*Killing Eve *is not your typical spy thriller, so it makes sense that the woman at the heart of the BBC America series — Sandra Oh's Eve Polastri — is a deeply flawed, complicated woman. When the bored, desk-bound MI5 agent suddenly becomes an MI6 foreign intelligence operative, she discovers her life's calling in a thrilling, cat-and-mouse hunt for assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer).

We dare you to stop watching as these two fierce and fascinating women constantly find themselves in each other's orbits! And as Eve questions what true independence is and what she really wants out of life, viewers just might find themselves looking inward alongside her.* —R.Y.*

Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote)

Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher on 'Murder, She Wrote'. CBS via Getty Images

If Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) was on the case, you knew it would get solved. The retired English teacher turned successful mystery writer solved crimes for 12 seasons on *Murder, She Wrote*.

Armed with her cardigan and her intellect, the widow became a hero by disproving many of the assumptions people would make about her due to her age (and inability to drive). The novelist-turned-detective was an asset to authorities, whether they appreciated the help or not. *—A.Y.*

Jessica Jones (Jessica Jones and The Defenders)

Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones on 'Jessica Jones'. David Giesbrecht/Netflix

Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) is a bold and unruly former hero who lives life on her own terms. People are scared of her powers, and others are determined to convince her to use them for good, but Jessica only moves when she wants to. The Marvel character is a refreshing reminder that we can live on our own terms, that every hero's journey is their own, and that superpowers go beyond a super suit. *—A.Y.*

June Osborne (The Handmaids Tale)

Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne on 'The Handmaid's Tale'.

Disney/Steve Wilkie

Just her iconic stares into the camera — each one brimming with rage that seeps through the screen — is reason enough to put June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) on this list. Torn from her family and forced into reproductive servitude as a Handmaid, June refuses to be completely broken by Gilead's regime.

Across six seasons of *The Handmaid's Tale*, she endures unthinkable trauma and still finds ways to strike back: helping smuggle dozens of children to safety, resisting her sadistic Commanders Fred (Joseph Fiennes) and Serena Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski), and becoming a figurehead for the anti-Gilead resistance. She's every inch the hardened leader, yet maddeningly complex, as she's still capable of empathy for the very people who subjugate her. And if that isn't a massive, radical display of strength, what is? —*J.M.*

Katherine Pierce (The Vampire Diaries)

Nina Dobrev as Katherine Pierce on 'The Vampire Diaries'. Tina Rowden/The CW

Props to Nina Dobrev for playing doppelgängers in such a night-and-day way on *The Vampire Diaries*. While we have a soft spot for Mystic Falls sweetheart Elena Gilbert, she just doesn't carry the same je ne sais quoi as Katherine Pierce, the centuries-old vampire-witch who "can rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time."

Once the object of obsession for both Salvatore brothers (Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley), Katherine had a track record of being wickedly selfish and manipulative. But she was also cunning, deeply wounded, and always two steps ahead — and beneath all that vocal fry and divalicious one-liners was a powerfully complicated woman who somehow made you root for the "bad girl." —*J.M.*

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Kimiko (The Boys)

Karen Fukuhara as Kimiko on 'The Boys'. James Minchin/Amazon

Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) on *The Boys* falls into the silent-but-deadly female archetype, but she does so as a fully formed, interesting character with a deep history. Sure, she can pluck the eyes right out of the heads of Russian mobsters due to the superpower-inducing Compound V formula that runs through her body. Sure, she can get her neck snapped and then shake it off moments later as if it were just fatigue. But she's also a lover at heart.

After being forced to fight in a militia group and then caged by human traffickers, she's now living life. Don't let her fists of death fool you. She's obsessed with musicals and enjoys dancing. —*Nick Romano*

Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation)

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope on 'Parks and Recreation'. Colleen Hayes/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

If you ever need to feel inspired, just watch any episode of *Parks and Recreation*. Whether it's merely trying to turn a dirt pit into a park or the herculean effort of running for city council in a town that hates her, main character Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) just doesn't know the word "quit." And no matter how impossible a task seems, she goes at it full force — and with a smile on her face.

This hard-working, passionate local government employee is a role model to everyone everywhere because she's empowering, supportive, and driven. You want to be her and be her best friend. *—Sydney Bucksbaum*

Meredith Grey (Grey's Anatomy)

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey on 'Grey's Anatomy.'. Kelsey McNeal/ABC via Getty Images

You thought a list of fierce, powerful women on TV could exist without Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) being included? The first in a long line of inspirational Shonda Rhimes-created leading ladies kicks off *Grey's Anatomy* by having a one-night stand with a hot guy (Patrick Dempsey) the night before she starts her dream job, and we absolutely love a sexually empowered woman enjoying herself (although we definitely don't recommend sleeping with your future boss).

Meredith fights for what she believes in, even risking serious jail time to do it. Over the course of the long-running series, she's gone from a lowly intern to being the chief of general surgery, all while raising three kids as a widowed mom. Not all superheroes wear capes — some wear scrubs. *—S.B.*

Michonne (The Walking Dead)

Danai Gurira as Michonne on 'The Walking Dead'. Jackson Lee Davis/AMC

Battle-tested in a world that's zombie-infested, the ronin of the *Walking Dead *universe, portrayed by Danai Gurira, became a fan favorite the second she stepped on screen. While the quiet warrior starts off with just a samurai sword, two zombie lackeys, and a mysterious past, she gradually becomes a central figure on the show.

With the amount of adversity she overcomes throughout the series, there's truly no other choice for which apocalypse survivor you would want to guide you through a world full of flesh-hungry walkers. *—Marcus Jones*

Midge Maisel (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

Rachel Brosnahan as Midge Maisel on 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'. Nicole Rivelli/Amazon Studios

Trying to make it in stand-up comedy as a single woman in the late '50s/early '60s is not for the weak. But after her drunken, off-the-cuff set at the Gaslight, recently jilted Midge Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) knew she had something worth saying — and she spends five seasons elbowing through sexism, censorship, handcuffs, and other setbacks before fully wedging her heels in the industry's stubbornly latched door.

But off-stage, Midge navigates divorcée life after her husband Joel (Michael Zegen) leaves her for his secretary, forcing her to move back into her disapproving parents' Upper West Side apartment while raising two kids. As her father, Abe (Tony Shalhoub), muses in the final season, "Instead of collapsing from the weight, she emerged stronger. A new person, so I thought. But, perhaps, that was who she was all along." —*J.M.*

Obara, Nymeria, and Tyene Sand (Game of Thrones)

Jessica Henwick as Nymeria Sand, Keisha Castle-Hughes as Obara Sand, Laurenti Sellers as Tyene Sand on 'Game of Thrones'. Helen Sloan/HBO

*Game of Thrones*? Though Obara (Keisha Castle-Hughes), Nymeria (Jessica Henwick), and Tyene Sand (Laurenti Sellers) — Oberyn Martell's (Pedro Pascal) three daughters born out of wedlock — remained underutilized and underdeveloped by the blockbuster HBO series, there were enough flashes of brilliance and badassery to inspire visions of what could have been, and to secure the Sand Snakes a place in the fierce female character pantheon.

Let's give the Sand Snakes a spinoff! Surely HBO can find room in its ever-expanding *Thrones* TV universe. *—T.A.*

Olivia Benson (Law & Order: SVU)

Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'. Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Not just strong and brave, Det. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) of the NYPD's Special Victims Unit brings a sincere, empathetic nature and deep emotional intelligence to her job, making her the best of the best.

Nowadays, she's risen to the rank of captain, and she influences the detectives in her unit with her decades of dedication to the job; her never-ending commitment to uncovering the truth, and getting justice for the victims. And there's no better friend anyone could ask for. When her old partner, Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) came back into the picture, she helped keep him together after the murder of his wife. *—J.L.*

Olivia Pope (Scandal)

Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope on 'Scandal'. Giovanni Rufino/ABC

D.C.'s champion gladiator broke barriers on and off screen as the first Black female lead character on a network TV drama since Teresa Graves' Christie Love in 1974's *Get Christie Love!* As the go-to crisis manager for the political elite, *Scandal *protagonist Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) is one of the most powerful women in America.

She does her best work in the gray areas of morality, but still pulls off wearing the white hat. When she's not thwarting what feels like multiple coup attempts, assassination plots, and rigged elections, she's making popcorn and red wine look like the most enviable snack around. *—M.J.*

Peggy Olson (Mad Men)

Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson on 'Mad Men'. Courtesy of AMC

*Mad Men*'s Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) wasn't meant to achieve her goals. Becoming the secretary to ad man Don Draper (Jon Hamm) looked to be the end of her professional trajectory, but she made it the beginning of her career with skill and determination.

Working her way up through a toxic, male-dominated industry, and having the strength to quit Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce at one point — knowing her talents were not being recognized — are testaments to her incredible, fierce character development over the run of the show. That end of season 7 scene where she walks into McCann Erickson with her sunglasses on, smoking a cigarette, box of her belongings in hand, and a NSFW painting under her arm? Iconic. *—A.Y.*

Robyn McCall (The Equalizer)

Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall on 'The Equalizer'. Barbara Nitke/CBS

With a very particular set of skills and a passion for the underdog, Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah) is the hero we all need. Whether she's saving a diner shop waitress deep-faked into involvement in a murder, or getting justice for teenagers caught in mafia crossfire, McCall doesn't let anything stop her — including the law, and one Det. Marcus Dante (Tory Kittles), who can be both friend and foe.

Like all smart heroes, she's got some of the most loyal friends, all of whom have their own very particular set of skills they'll employ for anything McCall asks for. And while saving the downtrodden is a busy job, she's also there as a good mom to teenage daughter Delilah (Laya DeLeon Hayes). *—J.L.*

Samantha Jones (Sex and the City)

Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones on 'Sex and the City'. Everett Collection

If you ever played the "Which *Sex and the City* character are you?" game, odds are you secretly hoped for Samantha (Kim Cattrall). Not only is she her own boss — running her fancy PR firm — but Samantha calls the shots when it comes to her sexuality, indulging in countless one-night stands and "f--- buddies" purely for self-gratification, never letting a slut-shaming society dim her bodily autonomy.

Beyond being ahead of the curve on sex positivity, Samantha was arguably the most loyal friend of the bunch: open-minded, unfiltered, and always showing up when it mattered. The kind of person you'd want in your corner, and the one whose juicy dinner table story-times you'd gladly live vicariously through. —*J.M.*

Samantha White (Dear White People)

Logan Browning as Samantha White on 'Dear White People'.

Samantha White (Logan Browning) sees Black students' issues at her Ivy League institution and is committed to speaking truth to power on *Dear White People*. Sam seeks out facts through her unapologetic and bold nature, and fights to demolish bigotry, even when it doesn't serve her personal life.

College can be a difficult time of changing allegiances and challenging experiences, and as Sam and her classmates learn, figuring out one's own identity is one of the hardest tests in school. *—A.Y.*

Sydney Bristow (Alias)

Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow on 'Alias'.

ABC/Sheryl Nields

Agent Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) has her entire life snatched from under her at the very start of *Alias* after her fiancé, Daniel (Edward Atterton), is killed, and she discovers the group she is working for (SD-6) is not actually part of the CIA, but a secret group working against them. She then weathers prophecies, family secrets, and many wild wigs through six seasons to solve cases and take down bad guys. By the end, viewers saw her balancing her family and a career in espionage, all while managing to be a triple agent. *—A.Y.*

Tanya McQuoid (The White Lotus)

Jennifer Coolidge as Tanya McQuoid on 'The White Lotus'. Fabio Lovino/HBO

If the back-to-back Emmys didn't prove it enough already, Jennifer Coolidge's Tanya McQuoid is one of the most iconic characters in *The White Lotus *universe. While much of that credit belongs to Coolidge's one-of-a-kind, offbeat delivery, creator Mike White writes Tanya with surprising depth — a lonely woman with too much money and not enough grounding, who's desperate for connection in all the wrong places.

Yes, she's self-absorbed. Insecure. Dangerously naive. But when she realizes she's been lured onto a yacht by murderous gay men, she guns them all down before becoming the final girl. She may have cried through the whole thing, but she was brutal. It just turns out that boat railings can be crueler. —*J.M.*

Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)

Kristen Bell as Veronica Mars on 'Veronica Mars'. Scott Humbert/Warner Bros

Teenage P.I. Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) broke the mold for young characters. The scrappy teen doesn't back down to anyone, from spoiled rich kids at school to the corrupt officer at the precinct. *Veronica Mars* is known for its unique tone, fun characters, and a few strong mystery arcs, but its lasting impact is its lead character. No superpowers, just wit, and a taser. *—A.Y.*

Wanda Maximoff (WandaVision)

Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch on 'WandaVision'. Marvel Studios

Arguably one of the most powerful women on this list, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) walks the tightrope between hero and villain. In her grief over losing Vision (Paul Bettany), she traps the citizens of Westview in a happy-go-lucky sitcom fantasy, forcing them to live by her script while she clings to the illusion of a perfect life.

But Wanda's moral grayness doesn't necessarily make her evil — if anything, it creates space for empathy. Faced with unimaginable loss, she ultimately confronts the truth of what she's done and chooses to let it all go, sacrificing her comfort so others can be free. That's nothing short of heroic. By the end of *WandaVision*, she embraces her true identity as the Scarlet Witch, and instead of becoming drunk with power, she chooses to understand it. —*J.M.*

Wynonna Earp (Wynonna Earp)

Melanie Scrofano as Wyonna Earp on 'Wyonna Earp'.

Michelle Faye/Wynonna Earp Productions, Inc./SyFy

Demons, skin-walkers, and vengeful spirits are all in a day's work for *Wynonna Earp*'s titular hero (Melanie Scrofano), the great-great-granddaughter of legendary Western lawman Wyatt Earp.

Wynonna has a way with a gun — specifically the magic family gun, Peacemaker — and a witty one-liner as she grapples with a whole heap of supernatural foes, with her sister, Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley); the immortal Doc Holliday (Tim Rozon); and Waverly's sheriff girlfriend, Nicole Haught (Katherine Barrell), by her side. The O.K. Corral has nothing on this. *—T.A.*

Xena (Xena: Warrior Princess)

Lucy Lawless as Xena on 'Xena: Warrior Princess'. Everett Collection

Billy Eichner might've kickstarted the "Let's go, lesbians!" meme, but fans of *Xena: Warrior Princess* were shouting that at the screen in the '90s throughout the show's six-season run. It was the overt subtext (that might as well have just been *text*) between warrior woman Xena (Lucy Lawless) and her sidekick, Gabrielle (Renée O'Connor).

Despite male relationships, including a little tryst with the God of War (Kevin Smith) himself, the pair always found their way back to each other and fought everything the world of Greek mythology threw at them. Not only is she an icon, but Xena also single-handedly made the chakram cool. Don't lie. You, too, have a makeshift chakram you once made out of cardboard buried in a box in your closet somewhere. —*N.R.*

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