Women in Film, Part I + a Playlist

By: Maggie Laubscher

There is something singular about seeing a strong woman on screen. It’s empowering. It’s also relatable, if you are female. It’s a reminder that we as women deserve greatness. Today that reminder is especially front of mind -- August 26 marks Women's Equality Day, which toasts the 19th Amendment and women’s right to vote. While this 1920 law helped women, it didn’t erase rampant racism or the maze of other confusing laws that deterred women from voting. So let’s acknowledge, women still had to fight to vote. But ultimately, the 19th amendment did move the cause forward. That is something worth celebrating. We can vote! Raise your glass to those who fought for this right. Raise your hand on November 3 to vote.

We matter. We are imperfect and brave and just right, as we are. There’s a line in Hulu’s The Great that sums up this feeling, uttered by Catherine herself, “Ever since I was a child, I felt like greatness was in store for me. Like God himself had spat me forth to land on this Earth and in some way transform it.” Right now, we are all home more. We are reading and watching more. There are times when we need to be lifted up. So we rounded up some recent TV shows with strong female leads to do just that. As Villanelle, the anti-hero of Killing Eve, so succinctly said, “You’re free now. You can be whoever you want.”

The Great

Set against a backdrop of excess and jewel tones, The Great is a reimagined telling of Catherine the Great’s story. It’s filled with raucous parties, political scheming and a delightful satirical edge. Thread throughout these elements is a through line of feminism and rebellion. At the show’s center stands young Catherine, played with verve by Elle Fanning. As the episodes progress, we see her go from pure naive girl to determined warrior woman. She is strong, imperfect and ambitious. The show is at once dark and inspiring, a beautiful creation from start to end. Watch The Great on Hulu.

I May Destroy You

I May Destroy You is a rape survival story - one that is binge-worthy, heart-wrenching and surprisingly funny. It stars the glorious multi-hyphenate Michaela Coel, who also produced and directed the show. Coel went from writing and playing a strong female lead in the British comedy Chewing Gum to writing and playing a strong female lead in I May Destroy You. The result is compelling and poetic, and Coel’s Arabella is the hero of her own story. Watch it on HBO.

Never Have I Ever

Never Have I Ever delivers smart teen comedy and romance that feels authentic and fresh. With Mindy Kaling as one of the creators, the show is filled with well-developed characters, stellar one liners and cute moments. It stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, a smart teen girl who is brazen, imaginative and funny. She’s strong and relatable, everything we want in a female lead. In a year of intense moments, Never Have I Ever offers a welcome respite. Watch it on Netflix.

Killing Eve

Killing Eve is a new classic, with not one but two strong female leads for the ages. The show stars Sandra Oh as Eve, a straightlaced MI-6 agent, and Jodie Comer as Villanelle, a hitwoman motivated purely by pleasure. They spar and hunt each other, both formidable and both by their own code of honor. The show moves like a thriller novel page-turner, with strong performances by both leads and chic fashion moments as a perk. What’s more, the showrunner and head writer is Phoebe Waller-Bridge of Fleabag fame, a strong female lead in everything she touches. Watch Killing Eve on Hulu and BBC.

Lovecraft Country

Lovecraft Country is a new sci-fi thriller with a timely message: monsters are everywhere, often in the form of racists. Not only do we relish the female lead in the show, Jurnee Smollett’s Leti, but the show is brought by strong female writer-producer Misha Green. The character of Leti is a zany warrior full of heart, good intentions and bravery. Watch it on HBO.

… And a Bonus

Enola Holmes is a show that looks and sounds befitting of this list and worthy of our time. Millie Bobby Brown stars as Enola, Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister and bold teen detective. As Enola says in the trailer, “Unlike most well-bred ladies, I was never taught to embroider. I was taught to watch and listen. I was taught to fight.” The show is based on the book series by Nancy Springer. Right now, Enola Holmes is only a trailer: watch it here.

a Playlist!

Our resident artist extraordinaire, the epic Abby Yemm, made a gem of a playlist to get you through the week.

Be well and play on, Nellies. XO