In a move long overdue, women are dominating the comedy and drama-spheres with masterful storytelling and deep relatability. These stereotype-busting, fleshed-out characters are what audiences want, and the popularity of these shows is a testament to that.Not only are these women amazing at their art, but a lot of them had been grinding for a long, long time before they received their big breaks. The dynamic ages of each of these creators and characters is another important move we hope to see more of. Representation matters and these queens are smashing the glass ceiling for all of us.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015)
Stream now on Netflix.
The painfully underrated Rachel Bloom masterpiece Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015) was perhaps a little too ahead of its time, considering the mass acclaim Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (2020) has since received. CXG is a musical dramedy that centers around equal parts lovable and troubled Rebecca Bunch, who quits her high-flying New York lawyer position to move cross-country after a chance meeting with a childhood fling. The thing is, she wasn't invited.
Featuring a brilliantly talented cast (mostly from the stage, due to the musical nature of the show), musical numbers that you'll want to learn by heart, and a lead character unapologetically dealing (or not dealing) with mental illness, CXG is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and an understated cult classic. 'The Sexy Getting Ready Song' and 'I’m in a Sexy French Depression' are two highlights of the 101 strong soundtrack.
The Bisexual (2018)
Stream now on Stan and Hulu.
Desiree Akhavan's cinematic debut Appropriate Behavior (2014) showcased her powerful voice as a bisexual woman of color and gave much-needed representation to her community. In The Bisexual, Akhavan further explores what it is to be a bisexual woman, and have your sexuality frequently and incorrectly assumed due to the gender of your current partner.
Akhavan is a fantastic writer. Each of the characters she creates is whole, flawed, and recognizable to viewers. Described as a semi-autobiographical dramedy, it's not surprising how raw and honest this unflinching look at the stigma of bisexuality is. She's also very funny. Although you may have missed its release in 2018, The Bisexual is a worthy watch for anyone who has experienced judgment for being themselves.
Fleabag (2016)
Stream now on Amazon Prime.
Oh, how we adore Phoebe Waller-Bridge. From humble beginnings as a one-woman show, Fleabag took the world by storm and has since been named, along with Killing Eve, as one of the 100 Greatest Shows of the 21st Century.
Waller-Bridge's comedic talents are matched only by her ability to portray her characters with subtle nuance. She adds layers of fourth-wall-breaking in a way that's never been done so masterfully before. A fun fact about the show and just how loyal and fantastic she is, Waller-Bridge and fellow lead Sian Clifford have been best friends since drama school in 2003. They made a 'silent pact' to help one another if one became famous. True to her word, Waller-Bridge wrote the part of Claire with Clifford in mind and refused to let studios cast a known actress in the part.
Killing Eve (2018)
Stream now on Stan and Hulu.
We may be doubling up a little here, but Killing Eve is well and truly killing it on a global scale, again showcasing the incredible talent of Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The chemistry between leads Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy) and Jodie Comer (My Mad Fat Diary) is breathtaking.
Upon receiving the script, Oh had assumed she was being looked at for a secondary role like a doctor or receptionist, as is an all-too-common typecast for Asian actresses. Thankfully, this time her incredible talent isn't squandered in the background. Oh shines in the titular role of Eve, in a show that turns the traditional spy-thriller on its head.
This Way Up (2019)
Stream now on Stan and Amazon Prime.
Oozing charm by the bucket-load, Aisling Bea (Love Wedding Repeat) and Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe)'s This Way Up handles important topics like mental health and sexuality in modern London, all while making audiences cry laughing with their quick wit and self-deprecating disposition.
The two actors first bonded while working on the miniseries Dead Boss (2012), and remaining close went on to co-write and co-produce This Way Up which debuted in 2019 with a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, earning comparisons to Fleabag for its handling of issues in a way that leaves the viewer both crying and cackling.
Feel Good (2020)
Stream now on Netflix.
Mae Martin uses they/them and she/her pronouns so for this entry we will refer to them accordingly. Canadian comedian Martin was nominated for a BAFTA for their performance as the titular character in the semi-autobiographical series Feel Good, which they co-created, wrote, and starred in. Martin's doe-eyed appearance is a stark contrast to their experiences with addiction and identity, topics they tackle head-on in their work.
Feel Good blazes a trail for imperfect queer storytellers. It's refreshing to see addiction presented with empathy and realism. We know Martin is a talented comic, clearly demonstrated during their many stand-up shows and recent appearance on LOL: Last One Laughing Canada, but Feel Good marks them as one to watch as a showrunner, too.
Dead to Me (2019)
Stream now on Netflix.
Liz Feldman's Dead to Me is a masterclass in writing female characters. The writer has come a long way since 2 Broke Girls. Dead to Me stars the very recognizable Christina Applegate (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy) and Linda Cardellini (Scooby-Doo) as two very different women thrown together in the midst of tragedy, where nothing is as it seems.
Initially tackling the topic of grief, the show takes viewers on a whirlwind journey through comedy, tragedy, and mystery with no hints of slowing down. Both actresses are executive producers on the show, giving them say in the direction of the story too. If you're ever in the mood for a well-written binge, this show is a great pick.
Back to Life (2019)
Stream now on Stan and Hulu.
Daisy Haggard's British dark comedy-drama Back to Life introduces us to Miri Matteson, a woman recently released after 18 years in prison. While the overarching premise of the first season is finding out what landed Matteson in prison, the show is also an in-depth look at the reality of returning to the only world you've known after being away for a long time, what has changed, and what hasn't.
The 'relentless optimist' approach of Haggard's character is a beautiful contrast to the usual overly-serious female lead in British dramas. Both seasons have earned 100% approval ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, and the show has garnered comparisons to Fleabag, with which it shares two producers.
I May Destroy You (2020)
Stream now on Foxtel and HBO Max.
Michaela Coel's debut comedy show Chewing Gum (2015) garnered critical acclaim and not only did Coel create the series, write, compose the music, and star in all episodes, but she produces it too. Talk about a powerhouse of talent. This success opened the door for one of the most poignant shows of 2020: I May Destroy You.
Combining her experience of sexual assault and inspiration from shows handling similar topics like Insecure (2016) and Russian Doll (2019), Coel created a powerful series that takes a magnifying glass to consent, and asks in the modern world, where do we draw the line between liberation and exploitation? It's a heavy watch, so be prepared for some confronting topics that are long over-due to be addressed.
Insecure (2016)
Stream now on Hulu and Binge.
Issa Rae's revolutionary Insecure (2016) undoubtedly inspired many of the aforementioned creators. Adapted from her successful web series and subsequent New York Times Bestselling memoir The Misadventures of An Awkward Black Girl, Insecure tells the relatable, awkward, and often hilarious story of a modern twenty-something African-American woman.
Every season of the show has a rating of 94-100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The stereotype-busting series portrays women comfortable with their sexuality, without sexualizing them. They're imperfect, make mistakes, grow up and learn, and viewers connect with this honest look at contemporary life, especially through the seldom-used lens of a woman of color. While the series ended in 2021, Rae has since signed on to voice Jessica Drew (aka Spider-Woman) in the upcoming Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2. We can't wait to see what she does next.