the leading ladies on netflix
by Fenella MacLennan - February 2021
Image: Pinterest
SABRINA SPELLMAN, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
One of my absolute favourite shows on Netflix! How can it not be when it showcases feminism in a coven of modern-day witches, who all rely on the badass Sabrina Spellman to save the day. She's much darker and much more powerful than Sabrina of old, and overcomes every obstacle thrown at her with never-ending bravery and skill. Of course, she is surrounded by a bunch of powerhouse women, her Aunties, Roz, Lilith and the Weird Sisters just to name a few. Together they literally overthrow the patriarchy and instate an ancient Goddess to worship instead. This show opened my eyes to the potential power women have when they unite. Whether magical or not, I hope the same spellbinding fate befalls the mortal realm. This revamp will not disappoint and is an amazing feminist watch!
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Image: Netflix
QUEEN ELIZABETH II, The Crown
If you're looking for something a little less fantastical, and you're a modern history nerd, this might be the show for you! Crowned the Queen of England in 1953 at only 27 years old, the world could not have anticipated that she would become the longest reigning monarch ever. Enduring the intensity and pressure that comes with being royal, the most important royal no less, demonstrates her strength of character. There is no shortage of old, white male Prime Ministers filtering through the Parliament, yet the Queen remains a symbol of stability, guidance and strength throughout the troubling events of history. Her sister, Princess Margaret is also a powerful female figure whose individuality and extravagance presents an interesting contrast to her sister.
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Image: Reddit
MADAME CJ WALKER, Self Made
This show is based on the real story of Madam CJ Walker, the first female self-made millionaire. Her fortune came from a beauty and hair business she established in response to her own personal struggle to find products suited to black women. Surrounded by white men, she faced discrimination for not only her gender, but also race. This battle to breakthrough in a man’s world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, makes her extraordinary business success all the more impressive. Madam CJ Walker also struggles at home with an abusive first husband then an unfaithful one, and finally to no husband at all. All of this she conquers and is a perfect example of female and black empowerment through entrepreneurship.
Image: Netflix
MAEVE WILEY, Sex Education
My favourite female lead on Netflix is Maeve Wiley from Sex Education. There's something about her adoration of Jane Austen, grunge attire and complexity of character that I just love. I liken her to Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You, as she's read widely and can basically recite all the classic feminist literary works, she's opinionated and fearless. The ultimate feminist icon. Deep within a hard, intimidating outer shell she hides a vulnerability. She is from a broken and unreliable family and her home life is both fragile and chaotic. Her loneliness, poverty and lack of support does not hinder her ability to excel at school and she faces her struggles with impressive modesty and strength. She vocalises her feminist views and helps her female friends to realise their own worth as women.
Image: Teen Vogue
ELIZABETH HARMON, The Queen's Gambit
From orphan to child prodigy to global chess phenomenon, Elizabeth Harmon in the Queen's Gambit is as determined as she is talented. Fighting her way through a male dominated sport to reach the very top. While at the orphanage, she learns how to play chess from a janitor who helps her to establish a name for herself in the chess world. From the very beginning her success seems assured, and she goes on to win tournament after tournament. Naturally, she is one of few women playing and is initially met with scepticism from the male chess players. However, her indisputable gift for the game and her bold, confident and charismatic character makes it impossible for anyone to doubt her! She battles drug and alcohol addiction, and ongoing trauma amplifies her reliance on substances, but, in spite of this, she persists and becomes one of the best chess players in the world.
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Image: Netflix
ELEVEN, Stranger Things
The nostalgia of the 1980s, a mysterious lab, and an even more mysterious test subject, forms the perfect setting for the sci fi horror that is Stranger Things. Eleven's story unfolds in Hawkins, Indiana where she uses inexplainable powers to escape from the laboratory before being discovered and befriended by a group of school kids. With them, Eleven navigates the unfamiliar territory of a somewhat normal childhood, and helps them in their quest to discover the reason for ongoing disappearances. Constant change, confusion and trauma follows El throughout the show and, while she can seemingly never catch a break, she's always there to save the day. Quietly spoken, yet immensely powerful, she's the young heroine we didn't know we needed, and watching her grow from a bewildered child into a strong young woman, is empowering.
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Image: Teen Vogue
