While it’s not something that gets talked about often enough, women in television have always come second to their male counterparts. Although the statistics have gotten better in recent years, they are still comparatively low. According to Dr. Martha M. Lauzen of San Diego State University, “in 2022, 33% of films featured female protagonists,” and “women comprised 38% of major characters.” Beyond just the basic numbers, manycrimeshows feature male detectives, investigators, and overall secondary characters. This is more than likely due to the fact that police work still continues to be a largely overwhelmingly male-dominated profession.
The truth is, women in this field can be brilliant at what they do. Their highly intuitive nature and professionalism can lead them to solve difficult cases. They are known to be generally perceived as less threatening, more empathetic, and less violent than their male counterparts. For those women who do work in the area of investigative inquiry, utilizing these elements can be infinitely useful for their growth. It’s important to shed light on these women’s careers and battles by representing them on screen. Here are some great crime showsled by womenthat deserve more recognition.
Updated November 21st, 2023: This article has been updated with more women-led crime shows and why they’re so great.
10Crossing Jordan (2001-2007)
crossing jordan
Tim Kring was the creator of the NBC television seriesCrossing Jordan, which ran for six seasons and 117 episodes from 2001 to 2007. Jill Hennessy plays Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh, a pathologist with forensic expertise working for the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Her own scarred childhood is what drives her to pursue a life of crime-solving. The rest of the cast includes Jordan’s coworkers and police officers committed to handling the various investigations.
A Persevering Protagonist
Crossing Jordanoffers entertaining episodes that succeed in getting you invested in its characters. While Jordan had her own fair share of life’s troubles, she decided not to let the pain destroy her and instead help others in the way she needed to be helped. This makes her a very inspiring character study that holds the fabric of this show together. There is a good blend of tragedy, comedy, and suspense that hits the right spot in the viewer.
Stream on The Roku Channel
9Agent Carter (2015-2016)
Agent Carter
Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely developedAgent Carter, also known asMarvel’s Agent Carter, for ABC. Hayley Atwell, whopreviously played Peggy Carterin the 2011 filmCaptain America: The First Avengerand the 2013 Marvel short filmAgent Carter, reprises the role in the series, which is also based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. In the series, Carter must manage her dual lives as an undercover spy and a young woman living unmarried in 1940s America. She works in the shadows to support Howard Stark, who is accused of giving lethal weaponry to American foes. Carter locates the perpetrators and destroys the weapons with the aid of Edwin Jarvis, Stark’s valet.
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Perfect for Fans of Period Pieces
The production does a great job of recreatingthe 1946 New York period, which will totally immerse you in its world. On top of that, the show’s writing does an excellent job of gradually adding depth to its characters over time. The chemistry between the actors is also praiseworthy, especially between Peggy and Jarvis. The show sadly didn’t get the closure it deserved because it was canceled after only two seasons, despite its high ratings. It’s one of most underrated Marvel TV shows, and it allowed a female character to truly shine — Haley Atwell’s performance as Agent Carter is one for the books.
Stream on Disney +
8Unforgettable (2011-2016)
Ed Redlich and John Bellucci createdUnforgettable, which debuted on CBS in 2011. Detective Carrie Wells, a law enforcement officer with a photographic recall, is played by Poppy Montgomery in the television series. Wells adds a fresh perspective to the typical criminal television show because of her uncommon medical condition, hyperthymesia, which gives her the ability to recall virtually everything she has experienced.
A Thought-Provoking Central Premise
Even though the fact that Well’s ability to recall things might annoy some viewers as this makes her an unrealistic character to watch, it provides a unique edge to the character. It is also thought-provoking because this can be both a blessing and a curse. Having said that, Poppy’s character has been controversial among fans. They either hate her or love her. At the same time, this is what TV and cinema are there to present, characters that we may not all like but who trigger something in us.
Buy on Amazon
7The Closer (2005-2012)
Brenda Leigh Johnson, one of the deputy chiefs of the Los Angeles Police Department, is portrayed by Kyra Sedgwick inThe Closer. Brenda is an interrogator who received training from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and is initially from Atlanta, Georgia. She has a track record as a closer — an interviewer who not only successfully resolves an investigation but also secures confessions that result in charges, therefore “closing” a case. However, she may occasionally coerce an accused person into confessing through lies or threats.
A Workplace Drama That Packs a Punch
The Closeroffers a realistic look into office dynamics. It explores the imperfections that come with being an authority, from not always being a good boss, to having people turn their backs on you. Brenda manages to command a room and run her office, which is male-dominated but does it in a way that is believable. It isn’t because of her looks, or some genius ability, but because of her admirable resilience and communication skills that develop over several seasons.
Stream on TNT
6Rizzoli & Isles (2010-2016)
Rizzoli & Isles
The television showRizzoli & Isles, which is based on the book series by Tess Gerritsen, follows Boston Homicide law enforcement detective Jane Rizzoli (Angie Harmon) and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Maura Isles (Sasha Alexander) as they work together to solve cases using their diverse backgrounds and personality traits. Janet Tamaro created the show, which aired 105 episodes over seven seasons from 2010 to 2016.
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Central Characters With Great Chemistry
This is a show with not one, but two women at its center. It provides a refreshing premise where the two women amplify each other’s strengths by working together, and they’re different enough to make an interesting on-screen duo. While they intellectually question their cases and show deep care for them, we also get to see their personal lives, which makes this series not solely about detective work. Their personal lives, families, and life problems are given equal attention, which makes them more well-rounded. Above all, what makes this show very endearing is the amazingchemistry between the two lead actresses.
Stream on Max
5Covert Affairs (2010-2014)
covert affairs
Matt Corman and Chris Ord created the television series,Covert Affairs, which centers on Annie Walker (Piper Perabo), a CIA recruit who gets assigned to serve as an operative in the Domestic Protection Division. August “Auggie” Anderson (Christopher Gorham), a blind technology agent with a noteworthy background who longs to be returned to fieldwork, is her handler and mentor in her new life. The show follows Annie’s development from a youthful, captivated operator who brings coffee for her fellow workers to a seasoned spy who doesn’t object to more intense interrogation.
Covert Affairs Offers Well-Traveled Thrills
Covert Affairsis filmed all around the world, which makes it visually interesting and culturally rich. Annie is also an interesting character who is gifted with languages and has amazing fighting skills. Despite her amazing abilities, she still has fears that she is always ready to face. Be ready for some kick-ass action along the way.
Stream on Freevee
4Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996)
Murder, She Wrote
Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, and William Link were the creators of one of the best female detective TV shows,Murder, She Wrote. Thelate, great Angela Lansburystarred in the series as Jessica Fletcher, a mystery author, and untrained investigator, who finds herself involved in investigating homicides that occur in her fictitious hometown of Cabot Cove as well as elsewhere in the country and the world.
Angela Lansbury’s Most Iconic Role
For countless television viewers, the series elevated Lansbury, who was previously primarily recognized for her work in theater and movie pictures, to mainstream star status. She remains to be one of the most memorable detectives to ever grace the screen. Her appearance is associated with warmth and evokes a sense of nostalgia. It’s rare to see a detective show with a woman as a lead, but it’s even rarer to see a show with an older woman as the lead.The phenomenal seriesgarnered nominations for 55 awards and took home 36 of them, including two Primetime Emmys and 4 golden-globes that were awarded to Lansbury for her role in the series.
3Happy Valley (2014-2023)
Happy Valleyis a BBC-produced crime drama that was specifically written for Sarah Lancashire to star in. The 4-time BAFTA-winning show chronicles the life of police Sergeant Catherine Cawood in Yorkshire. With a series of crimes that Cawood has to solve, what begins as a professional endeavor becomes something very personal.
A Gritty, Grounded, and Genuine Show
Gripping, dramatic, and multi-layered, the show is excellently written and gets better with each season. The writing succeeds in hitting you emotionally and making you uncomfortable. There isn’t an overuse of dramatic music in the background, which adds to the overall tense and grounded atmosphere. Then, there is Lancashire, who gives a world-class performance, showing how versatile of an actress she is, handling a range of emotions with ease. She can be strong, sweet, and, importantly, scary.
2Mare of Easttown (2021
Mare of Easttown
Mare of Easttownis a slow-burn miniseries starring Kate Winslet as Detective Sergeant Mare Sheehan. She is a skilled investigator who knows Easttown all too well. However, she is drowning in her own loss and uncomfortable feelings that involve her own family. When a young girl gets murdered in the town, she must get back on track and solve the case, not only because it intrigues her, but because it personally touches a chord in her personal life. Perhaps she can redeem the part of her that hurts by solving this case.
Kate Winslet’s Transformative Turn
The production is an excellent character study that dives into the psyche of its characters. The show delves into how a mysterious crime case can have a ripple effect on an entire community. It also shows how small towns can carry many heavy stories and many secrets. At its core, it shows how fractured many families are.Kate Winslet gives a dazzling performanceas always. She completely embodies the multidimensional character of Mare who is tough, courageous yet soft. She won a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for her performance in the show.
1Prime Suspect (1991)
Prime Suspect
Prime Suspectis an oldie but a goldie. Starring Helen Mirren as the lead, she shows up as a female detective who is passionate about solving crimes in London. She particularly has to solve the mystery behind reoccurring brutal serial killings involving prostitutes. However, her job becomes even more difficult than it is when she has to face hostility from her work peers and her subjects. On top of that, her personal relationships are suffering from her preoccupation with work. She must find a way to find balance and prove her ability to lead the investigations.
A Classic Installment In the Crime Genre
With captivating interrogations and multidimensional characters,Prime Suspectbrings out the biases of the criminal justice system through the lens of one of the most interesting,strong, and charming female leadsin crime TV shows. It’s thrilling, dramatic, and dark. Even though it’s been more than two decades since the show aired,Prime Suspectalwaysdeservesto be remembered. It earned four BAFTA Awards for its outstanding quality, including Helen Mirren winning Best Actress.
Stream on Brit Box
