Women Taking Over the Television*

Now that we are well into 2015, many of our favorite television shows are returning for new seasons or mid-winter premieres. Many of these shows have female energy exuding from the cast and their respective storylines. One might say this year in television has been the “Year of the Woman.” According to The Atlantic, “strong female characters on network TV make up a sizable chunk of the pie…and network tv is becoming the land of women.” This trend is extremely significant, because women are not simply in the shows as side characters, but taking lead roles, dominating casts, and holding positions of authority with their roles.

Nicole Beharie as Lt. Abbie Mills in FOX's "Sleepy Hollow"

On the Fox Network, “Gotham” and “Sleepy Hollow” made mid-season returns earlier this month. Still in its first season, Gotham is a notable show, particularly for comic book fans, giving viewers a two-fold look into the origin story of Bruce Wayne long before he becomes the “Dark Knight,” while also introducing many of Batman’s supporting characters. Although the show is centered on the rise of Gotham City Police detective Jim Gordon, several of the show’s women hold positions of power. Whether it is night club owner and mob boss Maria Mercedes “Fish” Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith), or Selina “Cat” Kyle (Camren Bicondova), a clever homeless youth who has an intriguing influence and connection with young Bruce Wayne, or Captain Sarah Essen who is Jim Gordon’s boss in the Gotham City PD, women are not just sidekicks or eye-candy, but equals to their male counterparts. Staying with this theme of women in power, “Sleepy Hollow” employs a woman of color in the lead role. This casting is significant considering the original story of Sleepy Hollow does not include any women of color, so this series is a modern-day retelling of the 1820 Halloween short story that adds color to the storyline. Juilliard-trained actress Nicole Beharie (42, Shame) who plays Lieutenant Abbie Mills, an FBI-trained officer, provides a commentary that one might call the driving force in the future of understanding the new Sleepy Hollow. Shows like “Gotham” and “Sleepy Hollow” provide a fresh scripted story that helps to balance out the reality shows.

Viola Davis as Annalise Keating in ABC's "How to Get Away With Murder"

Flipping through the TV guide, I realized that the ABC network seems to have the largest number of shows returning as well as some new additions to their line-up, such as the new series “Marvel’s Agent Carter,” where audiences get to see one of the original comic book heroines in her own lead series. This should be interesting and entertaining as we get to see a stylish action heroine rule the television screen. One of my personal faves premiered yesterday with the return “TGIT” (Thank God It’s Thursday). Creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes takes over Thursday nights with her female-dominated shows. “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” are veterans in Rhimes’ Thursday group, and her newest creation “How to Get Away With Murder” is well on its way to obtaining that same acclaim. Viola Davis plays hard-core, high-profile law professor Annalise Keating, commanding the attention of audiences such that Davis won the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama, being the only African American nominated, and beating out some tough competition. A well-deserved winner, Davis exudes the confidence and humility of a sage actress. During her acceptance speech, she thanked the writers, producers, and creators for “thinking that a sexualized, messy, mysterious woman could be a 49 year old dark-skinned African American woman who looks like me.” Her observation is significant in indirectly calling Hollywood out on its historical (and contemporary) racism, and ageism as well. Davis stated it best: “It’s a victory for people of color, it’s a victory for actors who aren’t ‘fresh-faced and in their 20’s.’” All in all, both Nicole Beharie’s and Viola Davis’ characters offer invigorating alternatives to the typical Jezebel or Mammy figures placed on African American women in television.

Women are not just dominating traditional TV networks, but they streaming onto internet channels as well. With the complete third season of “House of Cards” returning to Netflix on February 27th , we not only get to watch Golden Globe winner Kevin Spacey reprise his role as the ruthless, cunning Congressman turned Commander-in-Chief Francis Underwood; additionally, we get to tune in to his secret weapon, his gorgeous, ambitious, and equally conniving wife, Claire (Golden Globe winner Robin Wright). This Summer on Netflix, audiences will be able to watch the ladies of Litchfield prison return to our computer screens in season 3 of the SAG award winning (Outstanding Performance by an ensemble in a comedy series) “Orange is the New Black.” Hopefully, we will get to see more of “Crazy Eyes” (Uzo Aduba) too!

Netflix shows (l-r) "House of Cards" starring Robin Wright as Claire Underwood and "Orange is the New Black" with cast members Laura Prepon as Alex Vause and Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman.

There is lots of exciting television coming in 2015, full of leading ladies reminding viewers that they’re not going anywhere! Whether defying the odds, winning high-profile cases in fashion-forward styles, or saving lives, the strong women are here to stay! So whether you tune in to NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, HBO, or Netflix, there is a plethora of television shows to choose from for your viewing pleasure.

So what will YOU be watching this 2015??

*As seen also in The Berkeley Graduate