28th October, 2024
I haven’t written about television in a long time, but I’ve put together an exhaustive list of ‘TV queens’ today. Not all of them are technically royalty, but all of them are powerful and from shows that I like. That’s what’s most important, right?
You might recognise some names on this list, and you might disagree with my ranking of them. Worst case scenario, you have bad taste, and you get some new Netflix recommendations.
Khaleesi (Daenerys Targaryen) from Game of Thrones
I’m going to be real with you here; I am in love with Emilia Clarke. So this is completely biased. But this was the character that kick-started the crush. Khaleesi (basically) means queen, and she lives up to her (very long) title. She’s sensitive, confident and knows how to get shit done. She doesn’t let anyone talk her down. It’s her way or the highway. I do not care for the end of her storyline. I feel she definitely deserved more dignity than ‘madness’, but it was good while it lasted. Plus, look at her.
Princess Margaret from The Crown
I know what you’re thinking – Tyneesha, the show is literally about THE Queen. But I don’t care for her. Margaret deserved better. Helena Bonham Carter played her on the show, and that’s awesome in itself. On top of that, she did an awesome job. Margaret is fun-loving, self-interested, vivacious and ambitious. She should have been queen, and if she was, the monarch might still be relevant.
Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones
Cersei is… basically the opposite of Daenerys. She’s wise, cold, and unsympathetic. She prioritises herself and her family and to hell with anyone who stands in the way. I know she’s a murderer, but I just feel like she’s a good person. I respect her—original shameless girl boss.
Princess Diana in The Crown
I’ve written too many essays about Princess Diana; I know a lot about her life and humanitarian work. But Elizabeth Debicki‘s depiction of her on The Crown really put a lot of her personality and struggles into perspective.
Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation
I don’t need to say much about this one; we know she deserves to be here. She gets shit done; she’s passionate, positive, organised and funny. She’s the example I use when explaining Virgo women. I love her.
Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek
She is the heart and soul of the show. All of the characters are insanely well-written, and I love them all in their own way, but if anyone else had filled the role of Moira, the whole show would be for not. She’s definitely an individual. She’s shameless, keen to get involved, funny and wise. She’s annoying, but she’s iconic.
Aunt Lydia from The Handmaids Tale
It’s okay if you disagree with this one. I’m not completely sure she belongs on this list, either. She is strong-willed, aggressive, and at times, she is kind and compassionate. She’s one of the many character archetypes that Margaret Atwood included in this series as a commentary on the different ways that women might exist and interact under the patriarchy. The fact that she’s neither good nor bad is a feminist approach to media in itself. I’m exhausted with the overload of one-dimensional female secondary characters. It is endlessly refreshing to see the contradiction in her performance of this role.
The Queen from Bridgerton
I needed a gossipy queen, a judgey queen, an unbothered queen… and as in every aspect, Bridgerton delivered. The interactions she has with Eloise are iconic.
Victoria from Victoria
First thing’s first, the woman cast to play this part is one of the most insanely beautiful people I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe she actually exists in the real world. The show is a vaguely historical account of Queen Victoria’s life, but it’s funny, heartwrenching, and overall I love it.
Dina from Superstore
Dina knows her worth. Dina does the right thing most of the time, and she helps her friends out when they need it. She’s passionate about her job. She’s funny, and she doesn’t even know it. We see character development through the seasons, but she never betrays the core of who she is.
Queen Kane From See
You’re lucky she’s sightless because if she weren’t, she’d have a killer side-eye. Does she consistently use her sexuality for political gain? Yes. Is she a little bit evil? Of course. But she’s shameless, tactical, and a successful ruler.
Catherine from The Great
I love shows that pick fun at historical figures, but none quite as much as this. She basically just plots to kill her terrible husband the whole time. She’s hilarious, sweet, gentle, kind and ruthless at once.
Miranda Bailey from Grey’s Anatomy
You might have expected me to choose Meridith, considering the show is named after her. She is an absolute queen in her own right, but the real matriarch of this show is Miranda Bailey. She gets shit done, she knows her worth, and she doesn’t waste time. She’s got her shit together even when she’s falling apart. She’s not my favourite character, but first and foremost, she’s admirable. That’s what puts her on this list.
Sabrina from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
I loved the original show as a kid, but I’ve definitely talked about my love for the newer series on here. Sabrina holds her own, as a regular teenager, as a witch and as queen of hell. Like most of the other people on this list, she shows kindness and determination in equal amounts. Unfortunately, she is often thoughtless and sometimes annoying.
