For TV fans, fall is the most wonderful time of the year. Favorite series return from hiatus with fresh season premieres, and an ambitious new class of freshman sitcoms and episodic dramas debut, rejuvenating your DVR with what could be your next potential favorite show. (And any true fan will tell you, there's nothing quite like discovering a series early, falling in love, and watching it grow, come heartbreak or heyday.)
SheWired wanted to make the new fall TV network line up easier to navigate for LGBT ladies, so we cherry-picked some of the most promising female antagonists coming to primetime. From familiar faces like Laura Prepon, Maria Bello, Amber Heard, Ashley Judd, and Sarah Michelle Gellar, to newer finds, we recommend the best bets for maximum programming satisfaction below. While there may not be a whole lot in the way of actual queer characters there are plenty of lesbian-adjacent actresses starring in fun roles.
Beth Behrs and Kat Dennings
2 Broke Girls (CBS)
Two cynical and refreshingly UN-affluent New Yorkers making ends meet as Brooklyn waitresses. It's from the mind of Sex and The City's Michael Patrick King, so it should be LGBT inclusive. Ladies, you may recognize the deadly wit (and curves!) of Dennings from The 40 Year Old Virgin, The House Bunny, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, and Thor.
Annie Ilonzeh, Minka Kelly and Rachel Taylor
Charlie's Angels (ABC)
The ass-kicking, justice league of ladies returns to the small screen, this time under the skilled producing hand of Drew Barrymore, and with (it has to be said) a non-white Angel, Ilonzeh! Lesbian fans of Calzona may remember Taylor as Callie’s OBGYN last season on Grey’s Anatomy. Kelly made her mark on TV’s Friday Night Lights before starring in the sexy thriller The Roommate.
Christina Ricci, Margot Robbie and Karine Vanasse
Pan Am (ABC)
The retro-set, high skies drama stars formidable talent Ricci -- whose been a big screen favorite from Mermaids and Casper right through to her turn as a lesbian opposite Charlize Theron in the very dark film Monster -- and her fellow flight attendants are glamorous, gorgeous, and in the case of Vanasse, have a hot French accent!
More on next page...
\\\
(continued)
Christine Adams
Terra Nova (Fox)
As a Mira "native" of Terra Nova, a prehistoric colony attempting to build a human civilization, Adams’ is alluring and strong in a world full of surprises. The big budget sci-fi series is guided by the wizardry of Executive Producer Steven Spielberg.
Zooey Deschanel and Hannah Simone
New Girl (Fox)
This sitcom of sexual politics and gender roles could be easily written off, except the irrepressibly adorable Deschanel (500 Day of Summer, Almost Famous) is a joy to watch and Simone is just one of the tasty new female talents playing a supporting role. Gamer girls may recognize the foxy Simone from her time hosting WGC Ultimate Gamer.
Amber Heard, Jenna Dewan, Leah Renee, and Naturi Naughton
The Playboy Club (NBC)
The controversial new series offends feminists and conservatives, but SheWired is reserving judgment till we watch. We’ll be tuning in to see out actress Amber Heard lead a lovely cast of original Bunnies in the 1960s-set series. Renne co-stars as a closeted lesbian Bunny and Naughton previously played a retro Playboy Bunny hostess in an episode of Mad Men. Also, fair disclosure: those Bunny costumes are hot.
More on next page...
\\\
(continued)
Christina Applegate and Maya Rudolph
Up All Night (NBC)
This new comedy about parenting co-starring Will Arnett (Arrested Development) couldn’t have cast a nicer talented trio, or more LGBT-allied, in the leads. Applegate stars as a workaholic mom while Arnett plays the stay-at-home dad in the modern premise.
Laura Prepon and Natalie Morales
Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea (NBC)
Tomboyish beauty Prepon (That 70s Show) stars in the sitcom about a sexy 20-something woman, loosely based on co-star Chelsea Handler’s life/memoir of the same name. If you’ve read the book, you know this means we might expect: drugs, one night stands, and plenty of LGBT friends and lovers. Also, any chance to see Cuban actress Morales (White Collar, Parks and Rec) on screen is a plus.
Maria Bello
Prime Suspect (NBC)
As Det. Jane Timoney, beautiful Bello takes on the weighty role that Helen Mirren so thoroughly rocked to much acclaim in the UK original series. Hopefully, the new version stays true to the tough as nails roots of a woman succeeding and dominating in a male-dominated, deadly serious profession. Aside from commenting on sexism in society, lesbians can hopefully look to Prime Suspect to fill a hottie cop void being vacated by Mariska Hargitay as she scales back her involvement with SVU.
More on next page...
\\\
(continued)
Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Morrison
Once Upon A Time (ABC)
There’s a lot to like about this fantasy series from the producers of Lost. Goodwin (Big Love, Ed, Mona Lisa Smile) is dream cast as Snow White in a town banished from fairytale existence. Morrison (House, How I Met Your Mother) stars as Emma Swan, whose returned home to hopefully unlock the mystery magic that’s plaguing the town. Added bonus: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Caprica, Spartacus, and Torchwood: Miracle Dayalum Jane Epenson brings significant sci-fi cred as a co-Executive Producer.
Krysten Ritter
Apartment 23 (ABC)
As Chloe a charming, vivacious New Yorker... with the morals of a pirate, Ritter gets a chance to play a female TV character that isn’t just beautiful and lovelorn for a change. Sure the series premise revolves on her torturing and exploiting her naïve roomie, played by Dreama Walker, but something tells me she’ll redeem herself yet.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Ringer (CW)
Buffy. Back. On TV. Need we say more? Okay, here’s the skinny: Gellar returns to play dual roles as beautiful twin sisters Bridget Kelly and Siobhan Martin. Bridget is six months sober, when she witnesses a professional hit and has to go on the run. She seeks out her twin, Siobhan, who appears to be living a luxurious life in New York, where no one knows Bridget exists. Everything changes when Siobhan mysteriously disappears and Bridget makes the split decision to take on her sister's identity only to discover her life is no safer. Gellar also serves as a co-Executive Producer on the show so the chances of the show not providing a strong female role model are likely slim.
Follow SheWired on Twitter!
Follow SheWired on Facebook!
