Every now and again, I see the term Girl Boss on a t-shirt or sign. It’s an empowering term that should most definitely be supported. In an age where women are making less than men and are forced to comply with a different set of standards. It’s sad that in 2023, we are still dealing with issues of pay gaps between men and women in addition to unfair treatment and constant threats of being trolled or harassed. Look at the Oscars for instance. Only two women have ever won Best Director at the Oscars, and this past year no women were even nominated even though there were some worthy candidates. Television is filled with amazingly talented showrunners, and it’s time they get more recognition for their work.
In honor of International Women’s Month, here are some shows to check out that are made by female showrunners:
Shonda Rhimes (Bridgerton)
The leader of Shondaland, Rhimes set the standard for some of the best shows of the 21st century. Grey’s Anatomy is old enough to vote, which is an astounding feat for a show about medicine and still crushes it from the rating standpoint. How To Get Away with Murder and Scandal both captured national attention while making Thursdays nights a night dedicated to Rhimes’ shows on ABC. Bridgerton is a whole different animal, as Rhimes has made the series, which sometimes comes off as stuffy, one of Netflix’s most successful shows.
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)
Mark my words, Abbott Elementary is about to become an Emmys darling. It’s already cleaning up at other awards shows, and rightfully so. Abbott Elementary is a smart and clever show that is funny and has something to say about the current state of education in our society. Brunson is pulling triple duty (at minimum) by creating, writing, and acting in the series.
Soo Hugh (Pachinko)
Apple TV+’s underrated gem about the American dream and family dynamics over time was one of my favorite shows of 2022. It’s a shame that it didn’t get nominated for more than the opening title sequence (which in all fairness is fantastic). Pachinko humanizes people from different generations while telling an epic story of hard work and struggle.
Mindy Kaling (Never Have I Ever)
There are coming-of-age stories and then there’s Never Have I Ever. It’s a charming blend of cringy and sweet moments that perfectly encompasses adolescence. Kaling owns this genre. Not coming of age but rather transitional and awkward periods of anyone’s life. The Mindy Project, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and Velma all have moments of growing up and the bumpy ride that comes along with it.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag)
Killing Eve is a pretty amazing show, and Fleabag feels a lot more personal. It also shows Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s range. She can go from a spy thriller to a dark comedy in a short amount of time, which is incredibly impressive. Fleabag is one of those shows that took me a little while to get into, but it ultimately won me over with how direct and real it was. All the credit goes to Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
I had been a fan of Tina Fey’s work since her SNL and Mean Girls. A mere two years after Mean Girls, 30 Rock burst on the scene and became the Emmys juggernaut it’s now known as. 30 Rock feels like a love letter to entertainment that’s occasionally filled with frustration, disgust, and confusion. I can imagine it also felt therapeutic for Fey, just like watching a train wreck gives you the perspective that at least your life isn’t that bad.
Amy Sherman-Palladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Deconstructing the 1950s and 1960s for women is tricky. Amy Sherman-Palladino managed to have something to say about women, while also offering something refreshing and new. As the show is coming to an end soon, it’s been a great ride and a certified hit for Amazon that put them on the map for their quality content.
Also, check out: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Final Season Teaser
Issa Rae (Rap Sh!t)
Rae’s big hit, Insecure, is one of HBO’s best shows. Thankfully, HBO wised up and asked her for more shows. Rap Sh!t is how women struggle to be taken seriously in hip hop as an artist, not just a performer. The tug of war that occurs with artistry and pageantry in music, particularly for African American women, is such a great topic for a show. We are most definitely rooting for this duo, and hopefully, HBO will continue to let their story be told.
Courtney A Kemp (Power)
Kemp has created an empire with the Power series. She’s managed the original and three spin-offs that build off one another into an elaborate, multilayer story. Kemp’s greatest strength is keeping this story going and continuing to make it strong with each volume.
Laurie Nunn (Sex Education)
I don’t know how Laurie Nunn did it, but she made Asa Butterfield relatable. That’s a feat I didn’t think was possible. Sex Education captures the wonderfully painful period in our lives when sex was still unknown and nobody knows what they were doing. It’s just nice to have someone to guide us through that awkward time in life.
Leslye Headland (Russian Doll)
In terms of spiritual successors to the foundation that Groundhog Day laid in the time loop genre, Russian Doll is among the better of the bunch. It’s a strong story, anchored by a great lead performance, and Headland’s (and a strong supporting crew) writing and direction. For season two to still have a great story without rehashing everything from season 1, it’s a pretty great accomplishment for Headland.
Lisa McGee (Derry Girls)
McGee’s personal experiences living in Northern Ireland during the tumultuous 1990s show in her love for these characters. The high points are both funny and heartwarming but McGee manages to sneak in a gut punch every season that leaves the audience in tears. This was a love letter to growing up in this town, and love is hardly ever happy all the time.
Katori Hall (P-Valley)
Adapting the stage play that she also created, P-Valley is a show about women’s empowerment. It’s not a glossy show about how people are rolling in the money of the Mississippi syrup club called The Pynk. It’s a testament to the power that women can have and the forces that often try to disrupt that. P-Valley was another one of my favorite shows last year and one I will be paying very close attention to once it comes back.
Who are some of your favorite female showrunners and the shows they produced? Let me know in the comments or send me a message.
