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Although summer is winding down (how is it already August?) there are still many hot days ahead of us. My favorite things to do when it's hot outside are to make iced tea, crank up the air conditioner, and pick a new show to binge. If you're going to have a marathon, then why not choose a show with a strong female lead at its center? Thankfully, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon all have plenty of shows that tell the stories of dynamic, diverse women who are strong in a myriad of ways.
Here are my Top 5 picks:
1. Big Little Lies
Rotten Tomatoes Score: Critics: 93% Audience: 94%
Big Little Lies is an HBO show based on the Liane Moriarty novel of the same name. It follows three emotionally troubled women in Monterey, California, who become embroiled in a murder investigation. With an all-star cast of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley, plus a host of awards for its first season, this show is a must see!
2. Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
Rotten Tomatoes Score: Critics: 100% Audience: 73%
While not a show, this standup special has earned its spot on this list. Hannah Gadsby makes a huge statement in this special dealing openly with the sexism, homophobia, and assaults she has dealt with in her own life. Nanette has quickly become the most talked about new release on Netflix this summer. It will make you think, laugh, and cry in just over 60 minutes.
3. The Crown
Rotten Tomatoes Score: Critics: 89% Audience: 93%
Based on an award-winning play ("The Audience") by Peter Morgan, this lavish Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times. The series begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen, who ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. Claire Foy gives a knockout performance and the visuals are absolutely stunning.
4. Younger
Rotten Tomatoes Score: Critics: 99% Audience: 88%
This TV Land original show follows the life of Liza Miller, a forty-something mom who fakes her age in order to get hired at a publishing company. Witty, charming, and surprisingly feminist, this show features unexpected takes on sexism and ageism in the workplace while also being funny and lighthearted.
5. Jane the Virgin
Rotten Tomatoes Score: Critics: 100% Audience: 88%
Jane the Virgin has taken TV by storm. Not only is The CW series' concept — a young woman is accidentally artificially inseminated, despite being a virgin — extremely addicting, but lead actress Gina Rodriguez is a breakout star. The show, while often outrageous, is a telenovela at heart and is probably so addicting because of it's shocking, dramatic plotlines. But another reason to love Jane the Virgin is for the awesome feminist messages it sprinkles throughout the soapiness of the series.
What are some of of your favorite shows with strong females in the lead? Let us know!
Happy watching!