Ice Cubina?

April 3, 2016 3:04 PM

Is there a character in TV or film who's like a female version of Ice Cube? A Black woman who's high-status, sincere, brave, intense, witty, street-smart, Alpha, strong leader, comfortable with conflict, and powerful. In particular I'm hoping to find someone with a Southern California accent (Compton, Long Beach, etc).

A female-centred LA "hood film", similar to Boys n da Hood or Straight Outta Compton, would be great.
Sonja Sohn as Kima on The Wire would also be good in terms of her vibe, except her accent isn't West Coast and she is often quiet- someone who talks and leads more would be even better.
It would be great if the character is also athletic and believable in a fight.

posted by pseudostrabismus to Media & Arts (19 answers total)

Queen Latifah fits the bill, except for the accent
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:06 PM on April 3, 2016 [3 favorites]

Not a character, but Serena Williams comes to mind/
posted by Pineapplicious at 3:08 PM on April 3, 2016

Response by poster: I should maybe also say that the most important aspects are:
(A) Southern California African American accent (Serena is from Michigan, and also she is not aggressive off the court)
(B) Believable as a leader who is unafraid to be verbally or physically aggressive. (Queen Latifah is really reasonable and calm)
posted by pseudostrabismus at 3:12 PM on April 3, 2016

Claudette Wyms on The Shield, played by CCH Pounder.
posted by infinitewindow at 3:16 PM on April 3, 2016

Tonye Patano from Weeds?
posted by jillithd at 3:18 PM on April 3, 2016 [2 favorites]

Best answer: You might want to watch 'Set it Off'.

Pam Greer as Foxy Brown?
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 3:20 PM on April 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

Stacey Dash from Clueless?
posted by jillithd at 3:20 PM on April 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

I suppose she's a character in the sense that every reporter on The Daily Show is playing a version of themselves that's been heightened for comedic effect: Jessica Williams. All of the qualities-- from LA, is smart, funny, brave, and so on.
posted by bluecore at 3:27 PM on April 3, 2016 [2 favorites]

Gabrielle Union is from Nebraska but went to UCLA.
posted by jillithd at 3:31 PM on April 3, 2016

The Joss Carter character (played by Taraji P. Henson) from the first two seasons of Person of Interest?
posted by orange swan at 3:44 PM on April 3, 2016 [2 favorites]

Angela Bassett from Strange Days.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:47 PM on April 3, 2016 [4 favorites]

I want to suggest Michonne from The Walking Dead even though she doesn't have the accent, because she nails all the other characteristics.
posted by mama casserole at 4:02 PM on April 3, 2016 [2 favorites]

Gabrielle Union is from Nebraska but went to UCLA.

Speaking of whom, Isis from Bring it On? (Probably not the hood film you're looking for!)
posted by sigmagalator at 6:05 PM on April 3, 2016 [2 favorites]

Lana Kane on Archer (voiced by Aisha Tyler, a California native), if animation is okay.
posted by Otter_Handler at 6:12 PM on April 3, 2016 [2 favorites]

Pam Grier in Jackie Brown

Socioeconomically she is not high status, but she is Ordell's equal.
posted by asockpuppet at 6:48 PM on April 3, 2016 [2 favorites]

Viola Davis's Professor Keating on How to Get Away With Murder most definitely fits your (B), but not (A).
posted by praemunire at 7:57 PM on April 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

Firefly, Zoe Washburn
posted by Sebmojo at 8:34 PM on April 3, 2016

I'm not sure about the accent part (the actress is from Baltimore), but what about Captain Gates from Castle? (She even makes her underlings call her sir!)
posted by Night_owl at 9:58 PM on April 3, 2016

Response by poster: Set It Off looks perfect- thank you!
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:39 AM on April 4, 2016