My 5 Favorite TV Heroines/Antiheroines

By Dave B.

I’ve heard it said that we’re seeing a Golden Age of strong female television characters recently. While that may be true in absolute numbers and public awareness of them, there have been more than few truly epic heroines and antiheroines over the past decade or two. Here’s a list, in order, of five of my favorites.

5. Peggy Carter, Agent Carter

War hero, Founder of S.H.I.E.L.D, always the smartest person in the room, and tough as nails. Peggy Carter never lets her personal pain stop her from doing what’s right. The true definition of a hero in any era.

Memorable Quote: "I conducted my own investigation because no one listens to me. I got away with it because no one looks at me. Because, unless I have your reports, your coffee, or your lunch, I'm invisible."

4. Aeryn Sun, Farscape

Once highly trained soldier who blindly followed orders, Aeryn Sun learns to embrace her individuality and that the life we choose can can be more rewarding than the life we’re told to have. Her example inspires me every day.

Memorable Quote: "It's not you, its me... I don't like you."

3. Zoe Washburne, Firefly

A former rebel soldier for a doomed cause, the swashbuckling outlaw doesn’t show much emotion, but she’s the steady heart and soul of her crew. No band of rogues could ask for a better first mate or friend. She’ll be there for you through thick and thin.

​Memorable Quote: "If they take the ship, they’ll rape us to death, eat our flesh and sew our skins into their clothing. And if we’re very very lucky, they’ll do it in that order."​

2. The Widow, Into the Badlands

All she wants is to make the world a better place by ending slavery and creating a democratic society. Plus she’s willing and able to kill everyone foolish enough to try to stop her from doing so. And her fight scenes are the best on TV.

Memorable Quote: "We are fighting for a world where girls don’t get dragged into dark rooms and have their innocence torn from them. But that world comes at a price."

1. Carol Peletier, The Walking Dead

From mousy, abused housewife and mother to the most lethal person in the zombie apocalypse, Carol has perhaps experienced the most personal growth of any character on this list. Evildoers (and psychopathic children) beware. 

​Memorable Quote: "You’ll be outside the walls far, far away tied to a tree. And you’ll scream and scream because you’ll be so afraid. No one will come to help because no one will hear you. Well, something will hear you. The monsters will come. The ones out there. And you won’t be able to run away when they come for you. And they will tear you apart and eat you up all while you’re still alive. All while you can still feel it. And then afterwards, no one will ever know what happened to you. Or you can promise not to ever tell anyone what you saw here and then nothing will happen. And you will get cookies. Lots of cookies."

Who are some of your favorite heroines and antiheroines?