26 Fantastically Feminist Female TV Characters from 2017

19. Nomi Marks (Sense8)

Nomi Marks is a hacking genius who brings people together. On Sense8 Season 2, she finds a way to bring Amanita and Bug into the Sense8 team, even though only the sensates can use telepathy.

Nomi is a transgender gay woman in a loving, supportive, and sexy relationship with a woman of color.

This is the type of representation we need to see on our screens. Nomi encounters bigotry and ignorance, and the way she fights back provides a needed message: she never does it alone — she relies on the support of trusted friends.

Jamie Clayton is a transwoman portraying a transwoman character, which adds additional significance to Nomi’s place on our Top Female Characters of 2017 list.

Sadly, Sense8 will end with a wrap-up movie, but 2017 was enhanced by the incredible Nomi Marks.

20. Janet (The Good Place)

Janet is honest. Janet is a robot, so really, she’s very honest.

The fact that she is not equipped to lie sets her up as a character on The Good Place who delivers ridiculous lines, but in a way that strikes your funny bone in just the right spot.

As she encounters human experiences, Janet malfunctions to hilarious ends. Whether creating a new boyfriend or saying terrible things with a delighted smile, Janet always knows just what to say to highlight the true Good Place experience.

21. Nova Bordelon (Queen Sugar)

Nova Bordelon is an activist who can wither a person to their core with her ardent gaze. She is a stunning woman, and her battles with economic and romantic insecurity only highlight the type of strength that can carry a person through the greatest of tribulations.

In addition to being a well developed, interesting character, Nova allows audiences to grapple with an important issue: colorism.

Discrimination doesn’t end at black or white, and Queen Sugar presents the conversations we need to be having about how the darkness of a person like Nova’s skin can dictate access to spaces and opportunities.

Nova has anger, and Nova has flaws. But she is a type of hero that is more quiet and silky that a caped vigilante. 2017 is better for having Nova included in its TV programming.

22. Dr. Claire Browne (The Good Doctor)

The Good Doctor’s Dr. Claire Browne has an unexpected strength within her. She’s smart, compassionate, and doesn’t back down.

When everyone around her was doubting Dr. Murphy’s abilities as a man with autism, she was there trusting his knowledge and giving him a chance. Then she became even stronger through her experience with sexual harassment from a male doctor. She didn’t let a man, her boyfriend, fight her battle for her.

23. Olivia Pope (Scandal)

Olivia Pope has gone through a transformation in Scandal Season 6 and 7, and although it isn’t necessarily a likable one, it’s definitely incredible. It’s actually frustrating watching her, but she’s got such “command” over what she wants now that its hard not to gravitate towards that power, especially when you consider how hard this woman has come to get where she is now.

24. Sun Bak (Sense8)

Sun Bak connects with the other sensates in her cluster so that even when she is incarcerated, she is free to fight. As a woman who has been underestimated and abandoned by the men in her life, Sun manages to open up a new side of herself in Sense8 Season 2.

Sun is the most skilled and efficient fighter you have yet to see. It is comforting to watch her consistently kick butt, saving her friends time and time again.

Her romance with Detective Mun is also heartening. He has seen her, fought her, and he knows her. He is willing to fight for her to get justice.

Sun is not accustomed to such acceptance and romance. It is exciting to know that Sun will get a chance to develop further, beyond her physical skills, in the movie that will close out the series.

Sun is a woman to be admired in 2017.

Next Page