Iconic Female TV Characters

When we think of strong female characters from TV, there are certainly a few that immediately pop into our heads. From Lucille Ball’s performance as Lucy Ricardo to Amy Poehler’s spunky and determined Leslie Knope, female characters on the small screen have been winning over our hearts and making heads turn for decades. The characters below stand out for their bravery and the legacy they’ve left behind.

Today, let’s take a look at 20 of the most iconic female TV characters throughout history. To compile this list, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from numerous sources, including IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. 

Lucy Ricardo

• TV Show: I Love Lucy
• Time on Air: 6 seasons, from 1951-1957
• Character Played By: Lucille Ball

Played by Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo was well known for her comedic adventures and determined spirit. As a housewife in New York City next to her showbiz husband, Desi, Lucy was seemingly finding trouble at all times, bringing humor and delight to many during the 1950s and beyond.

Mary Richards

• TV Show: The Mary Tyler Moore Show
• Time on Air: 7 seasons, from 1970-1977
• Character Played By: Mary Tyler Moore

Strong, smart, and spunky, Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore) set the standards high for career women in the 1970s. As a single gal in the Twin Cities focusing on her career, many aspired to be like Mary and found this character to be friendly and loyal, similar to a big sister.

Xena

• TV Show: Xena: Warrior Princess
• Time on Air: 6 seasons, from 1995-2001
• Character Played By: Lucy Lawless

Who could forget the fierceness of “Xena: Warrior Princess?” From battling Greek gods to always fighting for what was right, Xena made a formidable impact on 90s TV culture.

Diana Prince (a.k.a. Wonder Woman)

• TV Show: Wonder Woman
• Time on Air: 3 seasons, from 1975-1979
• Character Played By: Lynda Carter

While many are familiar with the comic books, let’s not forget that Lynda Carter made Wonder Woman a household name in the 1970s. Wonder Woman was not only strong and loyal but also gave girls a different TV option when most characters at the time were male.

Leslie Knope

• TV Show: Parks and Recreation
• Time on Air: 7 seasons, from 2009-2015
• Character Played By: Amy Poehler

If you’ve ever had the chance to watch “Parks and Recreation,” then you’re well aware of Leslie Knope’s optimistic, determined, and loyal personality. Played by Amy Poehler, Leslie Knope is focused on her career as the Deputy Director of the Parks Department in a fictional Indiana city where she fiercely advocates for her community.

Buffy Summers

• TV Show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Time on Air: 7 seasons, from 1997-2003
• Character Played By: Sarah Michelle Gellar

Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Geller) wasn’t your average teenager. In this popular 90s TV series, Buffy was tasked with protecting her city and the world from vampire invasions and other forces of darkness.

Olivia Pope

• TV Show: Scandal
• Time on Air: 7 seasons, from 2012-2018
• Character Played By: Kerry Washington

From class action lawsuits to aiding the white house, Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, was strong, confident, and powerful. Additionally, according to the New York Times, Washington broke barriers by becoming the first African-American female lead in a network series since 1974 with her role as Pope.

Dana Scully

• TV Show: The X-Files
• Time on Air: 9 seasons, from 1993-2002
• Character Played By: Gillian Anderson

Smart and talented Dr. Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) shared the small screen with her cohort, Fox Mulder, and is one of history’s most well-known sci-fi female leads. This character has also inspired many females to pursue STEM careers, dubbing the trend “The Scully Effect.”

Annalise Keating

• TV Show: How to Get Away With Murder
• Time on Air: 6 seasons, from 2014-2020
• Character Played By: Viola Davis

Played by Viola Davis, Annalise Keating is a powerful criminal defense attorney whose personal life intertwines with her work throughout the series “How to Get Away With Murder.” From high-stakes court cases to difficult life choices, Davis’s iconic role as Keating created a jaw-dropping drama series that no one can forget.

Arya Stark

• TV Show: Game of Thrones
• Time on Air: 8 seasons, from 2011-2019
• Character Played By: Maisie Williams

Based on novels by George R. R. Martin, the TV adaptation of “Game of Thrones” became one of the most popular series of the 21st century. While many female characters existed throughout the show’s 8 seasons, Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) is one of the most well-known. Her fierce and independent personality helps her through the numerous difficulties she faces on her journey.

Sydney Bristow

• TV Show: Alias
• Time on Air: 5 seasons, from 2001-2006
• Character Played By: Jennifer Garner

Many know Jennifer Garner today for her iconic movie roles, but in the early 2000s, Garner spent 5 seasons portraying Sydney Bristow, an international spy. Bristow was as strong as she was brave, enduring several losses throughout the series while showcasing her self-defense skills as a double agent.

Olivia Benson

• TV Show: Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
• Time on Air: 1999-Present Day
• Character Played By: Mariska Hargitay

For over 20 years, “Law and Order: SVU” has shown us a different side of the detectives working to take down criminals in New York City. And no one is more fierce or focused on finding justice for victims than Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay).

Peggy Olson

• TV Show: Mad Men
• Time on Air: 7 seasons, from 2007 to 2015
• Character Played By: Elisabeth Moss

In a male-dominated industry, Peggy Olson, portrayed by Elisabeth Moss, uses her talent, fierceness, and determined spirit to rise through the ranks of several advertising agencies in the 1960s. While Olson begins as a secretary, her talent in copywriting is soon discovered, and she refuses to go unnoticed and unappreciated.

Lorelai Gilmore

• TV Show: Gilmore Girls
• Time on Air: 7 seasons, from 2000-2007
• Character Played By: Lauren Graham

Quirky, fun, and extremely caring, Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) is one of the most loved TV moms of the 21st century. Though her story begins as a teen mom to a now teenage daughter, Lorelai has risen through the ranks in her career, all while single-parenting and keeping a close relationship with Rory, her daughter.

Veronica Mars

• TV Show: Veronica Mars
• Time on Air: 4 seasons, from 2004-2007
• Character Played By: Kristen Bell

As a teenage private investigator, Veronica Mars, played by Kristen Bell, doesn’t back down for anyone. Mars uses her witty, albeit sometimes sarcastic, personality and fearlessness to solve the mysteries happening around her.

Eve Polastri

• TV Show: Killing Eve
• Time on Air: 4 seasons, from 2018-2022
• Character Played By: Sandra Oh

Beginning her career as a desk agent, Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) suddenly finds herself in the field for MI6. Polastri is as brilliant as she is observant (though sometimes awkward and frazzled), leading her to constantly track and run into assassin Villanelle.

Betty Suarez

• TV Show: Ugly Betty
• Time on Air: 4 seasons, 2006-2010
• Character Played By: America Ferrera

Audiences fell in love with underdog Betty Suarez, played by America Ferrera, as she navigates the world of New York Fashion in “Ugly Betty.” Over the 4 seasons, we see Betty use her intelligence and tenacity to keep showing up again and again despite the challenging industry she works in.

Liz Lemon

• TV Show: 30 Rock
• Time on Air: 7 seasons, from 2006-2013
• Character Played By: Tina Fey

As a behind-the-scenes writer, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) takes on the comedic journey of making her show a success despite her boss’s antics and the actors she must work with. Lemon uses her talented writing skills and sense of humor to battle her co-workers, boss, and looming deadlines.

Selina Meyer

• TV Show: VEEP
• Time on Air: 7 seasons, from 2012-2019
• Character Played By: Julia Louis Dreyfus

While many recognize Emmy award-winning Dreyfus from the long-time-running sitcom “Seinfeld,” her portrayal of President Selina Meyer is one for the books. After becoming vice president and then president of the United States, Meyer learned the job wasn’t everything she thought it would be, and her outspoken and fierce attitude made her fun to watch. She is also known for being one of the best fictional presidents on TV.

Clair Huxtable

• TV Show: The Cosby Show
• Time on Air: 8 seasons, from 1984-1992
• Character Played By: Phylicia Rashad

While often having to maintain sensibleness opposite her comedic husband, Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) is the rock of her family. A lawyer and no-nonsense mom, Huxtable was as smart as she was confident, showing women everywhere what it looked like to be a successful mother and career woman.

Meredith Grey

• TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
• Time on Air: 19 seasons, from 2005-2023
• Character Played By: Ellen Pompeo

While many different characters make up the Emmy award-winning show “Grey’s Anatomy,” its namesake comes from Pompeo’s portrayal of Meredith Grey. Throughout the show’s many seasons, Grey never stops fighting what she believes in, allowing viewers to watch her rise from an insecure intern to the chief of general surgery. (Read on to learn about females in comedy, The Most Popular Female Comedians in Each State.)