The best TV shows to binge that have a strong female lead
So much great TV!
In celebration of International Women's Day on Friday 8th March, we've delved into our favourite hobby at the moment.... binge watching our favourite boxsets to highlight some of the best TV shows with strong female leads.
Whether it's stars like Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh in Killing Eve, or Nicola Coughlan and Saoirse-Monica Jackson in Derry Girls, we thought we'd take a look at some of the strongest female leads who have burst onto our screens over the last few years.
The best TV shows with strong female leads:
Trigger Point
Trigger Point is crime drama which aired on ITV, starring Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure and Life star Adrian Lester. Vicky played the role of Lana Washington, an experienced bomb disposal operative.
Vigil
Vigil stars Suranne Jones as Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva and Rose Leslie as Detective Sergeant/Inspector Kirsten Longacre. The first series of the show follows DCI Amy Silva as she investigates a suspected murder on a submarine, while the second series follows Amy and Kirsten as they are tasked to uncover the cause of multiple fatalities at a Scottish military facility.
Killing Eve
Available on the BBC iPlayer, Killing Eve has an amazing cast of strong female characters.
As well as being written by the likes of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Suzanne Heathcote and Emerald Fennell, main characters Villanelle, Eve Polastri and Carolyn Martens are all played by female actors - Jodie Comer, Sandra Oh and Fiona Shaw.
I May Destroy You
Written, co-directed, and executive produced by Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You is available on the BBC iPlayer.
Michaela also stars in the show as Arabella, a girl who attempts to rebuild her life after being raped.
Derry Girls
Not only is British sitcom Derry Girls written by the amazing Lisa McGee, the show, which is set in Northern Ireland, also features a number of female stars in the cast!
Actors Nicola Coughlan, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland and Jamie-Lee O'Donnell are just a few of the stars on the popular show.
All series of Derry Girls are available on All4.
Fleabag
Another amazing series written and produced by the incredibly-talented Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Fleabag, which also stars Olivia Colman and Sian Clifford is available on the BBC iPlayer.
This Way Up
British comedy-drama This Way Up first broadcast on Channel 4 in 2019 and has since become very popular with viewers!
The show, which was written by and stars Irish comedian Aisling Bea, is available to binge on All4.
The Trial of Christine Keeler
The Trial of Christine Keeler is a six-part drama series based on the events surrounding the Profumo affair in the 1960s.
As well as starring Sophie Cookson, Ellie Bamber and Emilia Fox, the show was adapted by Amanda Coe.
Shrill
Based on the book Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, American comedy Shrill first aired on the BBC in 2019, with all series now being available on the BBC iPlayer.
American actress Aidy Bryant plays the main character, with Lolly Adefope, Patti Harrison and Julia Sweeney also starring.
Mrs. America
Available to stream on the BBC iPlayer, Mrs. America features a star-studded female cast, including Cate Blanchett as American attorney Phyllis Schlafly.
The series also has a number of other leading ladies, including Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba, Sarah Paulson, Tracey Ullman and Margo Martindale.
Love Life
Created by Sam Boyd, Love Life is an American romantic comedy featuring Anna Kendrick, Zoë Chao and Sasha Compère.
Love Life is available to stream on the BBC iPlayer.
Harlots
Period drama Harlots was written by Alison Newman and Moira Buffini and inspired by British historian Hallie Rubenhold.
Harlots, which is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer, features a strong female cast including Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Eloise Smyth, Dorothy Atkinson and many more.
Game Face
Another popular Channel 4 sitcom, Game Face is written by and stars Irish-English comedian Roisin Conaty.
Caroline Ginty and Nina Toussaint-White also feature in the series, which is available to binge on All 4.
Black Narcissus
Psychological drama Black Narcissus, which is based on the 1939 novel by Rumer Godden, features a stellar cast, including Gemma Arterton, Aisling Franciosi, Nila Aalia, Patsy Ferran and Rosie Cavaliero.
Series one of Black Narcissus is available now on the BBC iPlayer.
Back to Life
Dark comedy-drama Back to Life is not only co-written by Laura Solon and Daisy Haggard, the show also features Daisy as main character Miri Matteson.
Back to Life is available on the BBC iPlayer now.
Blue Lights
Blue Lights follows three rookie police officers (Siân Brooke, Katherine Devlin, and Nathan Braniff) working in Belfast, attempting to fight crime and navigate life in a uniquely dangerous place to be a police officer.
Main character Grace, portrayed by Doctor Foster actress Siân Brooke, decides to leave her stable job as a social worker to join the police force, whilst being a mum to her teenage boy in her 40s.
Happy Valley
Happy Valley not only stars Sarah Lancashire in the lead role of Sergeant Catherine Cawood, the TV series was also created by Sally Wainwright who has also worked on soaps such as Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
Now read:
The best TV crime dramas to binge watch right now
The best nostalgic TV shows you can binge watch
Everything you need to know about the wonderful Nicola Coughlan