Help me find some more TV shows to watch!
May 28, 2024 12:20 PM
Help me find some more TV shows to watch!
I like shows with women as main characters; shows with found family; shows with LGBT characters; shows with characters of colour; shows with very competent characters. Murders are okay but I prefer to avoid shows with sexual assaults. I don't like a lot of God/Religion if I can avoid it. I am open to all fictional TV genres.
Some shows I have enjoyed include, in alphabetical order:
All creatures great and small;
All Rise;
Astronauts Wives Club;
Avenue 5;
The Bletchley Circle;
The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin;
Dead Boy Detectives;
Domina;
The Durrells;
Gentleman Jack;
Ghosts (both the UK and US versions);
The Gilded Age;
The Girls On The Bus;
Hacks;
High Country;
His Dark Materials;
Horrible Histories;
Karen Pirie;
The Legend of Korra;
Our Flag Means Death;
Runaways;
The Nevers;
Pose;
Proven Innocent;
Renegade Nell;
Resident Alien;
Rutherford Falls;
Station 19;
State of Play;
Upstart Crow;
We Are Lady Parts;
Wellington Paranormal;
What We Do In The Shadows;
Will;
Y The Last Man;
911.
Some shows I have enjoyed include, in alphabetical order:
All creatures great and small;
All Rise;
Astronauts Wives Club;
Avenue 5;
The Bletchley Circle;
The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin;
Dead Boy Detectives;
Domina;
The Durrells;
Gentleman Jack;
Ghosts (both the UK and US versions);
The Gilded Age;
The Girls On The Bus;
Hacks;
High Country;
His Dark Materials;
Horrible Histories;
Karen Pirie;
The Legend of Korra;
Our Flag Means Death;
Runaways;
The Nevers;
Pose;
Proven Innocent;
Renegade Nell;
Resident Alien;
Rutherford Falls;
Station 19;
State of Play;
Upstart Crow;
We Are Lady Parts;
Wellington Paranormal;
What We Do In The Shadows;
Will;
Y The Last Man;
911.
Heartbreak High (2022-) meets almost all your criteria (though not "competence" if that's important to you).
posted by splitpeasoup at 12:28 PM on May 28
posted by splitpeasoup at 12:28 PM on May 28
The Expanse? I think it meets all of your requirements.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:33 PM on May 28
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:33 PM on May 28
Jane the Virgin
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:33 PM on May 28
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:33 PM on May 28
Almost no one believes me or listens when I say this but Chucky, the USA/SyFy TV extension of the Child's Play film series is positively delightful, with LGBT teen heroes (the main group is a found family of Jake, his bf Devon, and their former bully-turned-bestie Lexy).
It has a very John Waters-like winking camp sensibility, and to a person, the unanimous verdict the show seems to get is "How is this so good? It has no business being this good." It's 93% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and has Jennifer Tilly having more fun than should even be legal.
A few tastes:
Chucky: "Y'know... I have a queer kid. Gender fluid."
Jake: "And you're okay with it?"
Chucky: "I'm not a monster."
Even the "Previously on..." is delighftul.
"I'm not guilty. I'm insane!"
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:34 PM on May 28
It has a very John Waters-like winking camp sensibility, and to a person, the unanimous verdict the show seems to get is "How is this so good? It has no business being this good." It's 93% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and has Jennifer Tilly having more fun than should even be legal.
A few tastes:
Chucky: "Y'know... I have a queer kid. Gender fluid."
Jake: "And you're okay with it?"
Chucky: "I'm not a monster."
Even the "Previously on..." is delighftul.
"I'm not guilty. I'm insane!"
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:34 PM on May 28
Canceled after one season, but I thought "Paper Girls" was pretty great
posted by thivaia at 12:41 PM on May 28
posted by thivaia at 12:41 PM on May 28
I didn't see Orphan Black on your list and it should be.
I think you might also like The Outlaws.
Both stream on Amazon Prime.
posted by brookeb at 12:42 PM on May 28
I think you might also like The Outlaws.
Both stream on Amazon Prime.
posted by brookeb at 12:42 PM on May 28
Deadloch on Amazon is brilliant - a dark, funny, (extremely) profane murder mystery and with a lesbian detective as the lead.
posted by patricio at 12:44 PM on May 28
posted by patricio at 12:44 PM on May 28
Miss Marple (esp seasons with Geraldine McEwan)
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
Death in Paradise (main detective is [a series of] white British dudes but lots of great characters)
posted by Glinn at 12:48 PM on May 28
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
Death in Paradise (main detective is [a series of] white British dudes but lots of great characters)
posted by Glinn at 12:48 PM on May 28
I like shows with women as main characters; shows with found family; shows with LGBT characters; shows with characters of colour; shows with very competent characters.
The Wheel of Time on Amazon has ALL of those plus. It's really good.
posted by the webmistress at 12:50 PM on May 28
The Wheel of Time on Amazon has ALL of those plus. It's really good.
posted by the webmistress at 12:50 PM on May 28
I loved
The Expanse;
Jane the Virgin;
Paper Girls;
Orphan Black;
Deadloch.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 12:54 PM on May 28
The Expanse;
Jane the Virgin;
Paper Girls;
Orphan Black;
Deadloch.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 12:54 PM on May 28
I suspect you'd like Sex Education on Netflix, if you don't mind that it's about teens.
(Spoiler, spoiler, spoiler) There is a storyline about assault in season 2, but it's handled extremely well and not at all gratuitous. Like, people go out of their way to praise the show for how it portrayed this incident and the aftermath.
Also check out Station Eleven and Somebody Somewhere from HBO/Max, both of which check off many of your boxes, especially found families and women protagonists.
posted by Ryon at 12:59 PM on May 28
(Spoiler, spoiler, spoiler) There is a storyline about assault in season 2, but it's handled extremely well and not at all gratuitous. Like, people go out of their way to praise the show for how it portrayed this incident and the aftermath.
Also check out Station Eleven and Somebody Somewhere from HBO/Max, both of which check off many of your boxes, especially found families and women protagonists.
posted by Ryon at 12:59 PM on May 28
Star Trek: Discovery feels like it ticks most, if not all, of your boxes.
posted by hanov3r at 1:00 PM on May 28
posted by hanov3r at 1:00 PM on May 28
Yes, I loved Sex Education
and really enjoyed Star Trek: Discovery
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 1:05 PM on May 28
and really enjoyed Star Trek: Discovery
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 1:05 PM on May 28
Please watch Sugar. There is some hand-to-hand combat and a bit of gore but 100% of the bad guys have it comin'. Great female characters and Colin Farrell is actually charming. Plus a couple twists that will knock you for 6, in a good way.
posted by nkknkk at 1:05 PM on May 28
posted by nkknkk at 1:05 PM on May 28
Call the Midwife has nuns, but the storylines are essentially secular. You could try it out.
posted by jgirl at 1:09 PM on May 28
posted by jgirl at 1:09 PM on May 28
Gilmore Girls
posted by rhymedirective at 1:17 PM on May 28
posted by rhymedirective at 1:17 PM on May 28
Dumb title, fresh and interesting mature intelligent professional woman main character.
posted by amtho at 1:18 PM on May 28
posted by amtho at 1:18 PM on May 28
Sort Of is exceptional. Streaming on HBO/Max in the US.
posted by General Malaise at 1:20 PM on May 28
posted by General Malaise at 1:20 PM on May 28
I HIGHLY recommend "The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House" on Netflix!
It's a gentle, atmospheric Japanese show about two girls who go into training to be maiko (traditional entertainers, a la geisha), but one of them ends up finding her true vocation in becoming the cook for the maiko house instead.
Many different female characters, most of whom live as a found family, plus the details of maiko and of the various lovingly-cooked dishes.
posted by theatro at 1:31 PM on May 28
It's a gentle, atmospheric Japanese show about two girls who go into training to be maiko (traditional entertainers, a la geisha), but one of them ends up finding her true vocation in becoming the cook for the maiko house instead.
Many different female characters, most of whom live as a found family, plus the details of maiko and of the various lovingly-cooked dishes.
posted by theatro at 1:31 PM on May 28
Some things that should tick all of your boxes:
Killjoys: Bounty Hunters In Space! Or, at least, that's how it starts. On a rewatch it was amazing to me how many things at the end were laid in from the beginning.Many queer characters, extremely teamy, found family, many main characters of color, female main characters, hypercompetence. There is some violence but not, like, Expanse-level violence.
A League of Their Own (TV series): Way better than the movie. I am bitter that it was canceled and so glad I got to see the one season that exists. All of the main characters are female, most are queer, and many are people of color. And many are hypercompetent.
Acapulco (Apple TV series): This is a comedy delight. It's set at a resort in Mexico and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Many characters of color, female main characters, found family, and awfully funny.
Monarch Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV series): This is a Godzilla show, and if you're like, "I have no interest in Godzilla," well, I didn't either until I watched this! Many characters of color, female main characters, found family (in many different ways), hypercompetence, and way more depth than you'd imagine from a giant monster thing.
For All Mankind (Apple TV series): Alternate history series in which Russia lands on the moon first, which changes everything about the space program. The first season is set in the early '70s and each season after leaps 10 years ahead. Many characters of color, female main characters, found family and hypercompetence. Also a Ron Moore series so a certain amount of soapy drama.
Mythic Quest (Apple TV series): The trials and tribulations of a video game studio. Each season has a standalone episode that is mindblowing. Ticks all your boxes, and it's very funny.
I think you might like The Afterparty - it's a very fun murder mystery that only got two seasons.
posted by rednikki at 1:39 PM on May 28
Killjoys: Bounty Hunters In Space! Or, at least, that's how it starts. On a rewatch it was amazing to me how many things at the end were laid in from the beginning.Many queer characters, extremely teamy, found family, many main characters of color, female main characters, hypercompetence. There is some violence but not, like, Expanse-level violence.
A League of Their Own (TV series): Way better than the movie. I am bitter that it was canceled and so glad I got to see the one season that exists. All of the main characters are female, most are queer, and many are people of color. And many are hypercompetent.
Acapulco (Apple TV series): This is a comedy delight. It's set at a resort in Mexico and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Many characters of color, female main characters, found family, and awfully funny.
Monarch Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV series): This is a Godzilla show, and if you're like, "I have no interest in Godzilla," well, I didn't either until I watched this! Many characters of color, female main characters, found family (in many different ways), hypercompetence, and way more depth than you'd imagine from a giant monster thing.
For All Mankind (Apple TV series): Alternate history series in which Russia lands on the moon first, which changes everything about the space program. The first season is set in the early '70s and each season after leaps 10 years ahead. Many characters of color, female main characters, found family and hypercompetence. Also a Ron Moore series so a certain amount of soapy drama.
Mythic Quest (Apple TV series): The trials and tribulations of a video game studio. Each season has a standalone episode that is mindblowing. Ticks all your boxes, and it's very funny.
I think you might like The Afterparty - it's a very fun murder mystery that only got two seasons.
posted by rednikki at 1:39 PM on May 28
If you liked Legend of Korra, you might enjoy Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. Frieren is an elf that has outlived almost everyone she ever knew. Fern is her new, human apprentice. Frieren and Fern are shockingly competent.
And, on the topic of anime, there's Apothecary Diaries. Maomao is very competent, in an environment that does not reward intelligent women.
posted by SPrintF at 1:43 PM on May 28
And, on the topic of anime, there's Apothecary Diaries. Maomao is very competent, in an environment that does not reward intelligent women.
posted by SPrintF at 1:43 PM on May 28
I mean:
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Are pretty much what's in the dictionary if you look up
shows with women as main characters
shows with found family
shows with LGBT characters
shows with characters of colour
shows with very competent characters.
Unless you don't like animation. In which case, watch them anyway.
posted by Gorgik at 1:45 PM on May 28
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Are pretty much what's in the dictionary if you look up
shows with women as main characters
shows with found family
shows with LGBT characters
shows with characters of colour
shows with very competent characters.
Unless you don't like animation. In which case, watch them anyway.
posted by Gorgik at 1:45 PM on May 28
Sister Boniface Mysteries meet most of your criteria--there isn't a recurring LGBTQ character, but there are LGBTQ characters in multiple episodes. As the main character is a Catholic sister, there is God/religious content, but it is NOT a preachy show. It's interested in the idea of a Catholic sister who could have just as easily been a top MI5 agent forming a found family with the local police officers as well as the sisters at her convent. Her competence is off the charts.
posted by epj at 1:46 PM on May 28
posted by epj at 1:46 PM on May 28
I absolutely loved
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power ! ^_^
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 1:51 PM on May 28
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power ! ^_^
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 1:51 PM on May 28
rednikki, like you I loved A League of Their Own (TV series) and was angry and frustrated that it was cancelled.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 1:52 PM on May 28
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 1:52 PM on May 28
If you liked 911 also try 911 Lone Star if you haven't already. Even more queer and trans characters, more found family, etc. Here in Oz it's on Disney+.
Sense8 (Netflix) ticks pretty much every one of your boxes: strong female characters, queer, trans, found family, people of colour and also from different places around the world which was amazing. It did get cancelled but they made a movie-length final episode that helped lessen the pain.
The OA (Netflix) only had two weirdly wonderful seasons but again ticks your boxes. Except probably not competence. It's not that kind of show. However the people who made it also did a stand-alone unrelated series called A Murder at the End of the World (Disney+) which was pretty good.
posted by Athanassiel at 2:04 PM on May 28
Sense8 (Netflix) ticks pretty much every one of your boxes: strong female characters, queer, trans, found family, people of colour and also from different places around the world which was amazing. It did get cancelled but they made a movie-length final episode that helped lessen the pain.
The OA (Netflix) only had two weirdly wonderful seasons but again ticks your boxes. Except probably not competence. It's not that kind of show. However the people who made it also did a stand-alone unrelated series called A Murder at the End of the World (Disney+) which was pretty good.
posted by Athanassiel at 2:04 PM on May 28
Seconding For All Mankind -- came in here to say that and was pleased to see it already mentioned. Starts out a little white-dude-centric but very quickly expands its focus in ways absolutely integral to the story. Also so beautiful to look at and a million dollar soundtrack
posted by capnsue at 2:12 PM on May 28
posted by capnsue at 2:12 PM on May 28
found family, competence:
- Spy x Family (flamboyant espionage spoof)
- The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty (Chinese "historical", lots of intrigue and cooking; originally about a gay couple but "cleaned up" to be acceptable to censors)
- seconding Somebody Somewhere
posted by trig at 2:13 PM on May 28
- Spy x Family (flamboyant espionage spoof)
- The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty (Chinese "historical", lots of intrigue and cooking; originally about a gay couple but "cleaned up" to be acceptable to censors)
- seconding Somebody Somewhere
posted by trig at 2:13 PM on May 28
I'm surprised no one has mentioned The Good Place.
While it does involve people navigating the afterlife, it contains a negligible amount of god or religion. It does have moral philosophy though.
The series hit the ground running and the episodes are short. Spend twenty minutes watching the first one and you'll have a good sense if you'll like the rest or not.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 2:23 PM on May 28
While it does involve people navigating the afterlife, it contains a negligible amount of god or religion. It does have moral philosophy though.
The series hit the ground running and the episodes are short. Spend twenty minutes watching the first one and you'll have a good sense if you'll like the rest or not.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 2:23 PM on May 28
I absolutely adored The Good Place!
One of the best TV shows to come out in years!
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 2:26 PM on May 28
One of the best TV shows to come out in years!
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 2:26 PM on May 28
The Good Place! It's the very definition of found family. It *is* about what happens after you die, but it does not include god or religion.
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:27 PM on May 28
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:27 PM on May 28
I'll suggest Good Omens. It's centered around Christian doctrine, yes -- but in a total piss-take kind of way. The Them are a youthful found family, there's plenty of LGBTQ+ rep and characters of color, and Anathema Device and her many-greats grandmother Agnes should make your competent-women jones happy.
posted by humbug at 2:33 PM on May 28
posted by humbug at 2:33 PM on May 28
Special on Netflix.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 2:36 PM on May 28
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 2:36 PM on May 28
Broad City
Derry Girls
Fosse/Verdun
Freaks & Geeks
Queen's Gambit
Silo
posted by paper scissors sock at 2:51 PM on May 28
Derry Girls
Fosse/Verdun
Freaks & Geeks
Queen's Gambit
Silo
posted by paper scissors sock at 2:51 PM on May 28
Have you seen Tales of the City? I loved it, and it seems to meet all your criteria.
I think the 2019 reboot may only be on Netflix, but the original 1990s miniseries may be on other services and may also be on DVD at your library. (I haven't seen the 2019 reboot yet, but I've watched the earlier ones several times.)
posted by kristi at 2:56 PM on May 28
I think the 2019 reboot may only be on Netflix, but the original 1990s miniseries may be on other services and may also be on DVD at your library. (I haven't seen the 2019 reboot yet, but I've watched the earlier ones several times.)
posted by kristi at 2:56 PM on May 28
Schitt’s Creek
If you liked Hacks you might like Veep. It tends to be the opposite of competence though.
posted by jeoc at 3:02 PM on May 28
If you liked Hacks you might like Veep. It tends to be the opposite of competence though.
posted by jeoc at 3:02 PM on May 28
The Bear! Very racially diverse cast, although all straight, and it’s an ensemble cast of 7 with interesting complex women as #3, 5, and 6. High stakes restaurant TV with lots of swearing but minimal violence.
And, this one is about sexual assault BUT I will say that “I may destroy you” is absolutely riveting TV and I believe it’s very validating and uplifting for survivors of SA. Genius superstar writer director actor and BAFTA winner Michaela Coel created it about her own experience of being roofied, and it really feels like it’s written from a both Black straight woman’s and gay Black man’s survivors’ perspective. I found it very different from any other screen portrayal of SA that I’ve seen. YMMV but you may have other pals who’ve seen it who could weigh in on whether it’s an exception that might work for you.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 3:09 PM on May 28
And, this one is about sexual assault BUT I will say that “I may destroy you” is absolutely riveting TV and I believe it’s very validating and uplifting for survivors of SA. Genius superstar writer director actor and BAFTA winner Michaela Coel created it about her own experience of being roofied, and it really feels like it’s written from a both Black straight woman’s and gay Black man’s survivors’ perspective. I found it very different from any other screen portrayal of SA that I’ve seen. YMMV but you may have other pals who’ve seen it who could weigh in on whether it’s an exception that might work for you.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 3:09 PM on May 28
GLOW?
posted by Sauce Trough at 3:58 PM on May 28
posted by Sauce Trough at 3:58 PM on May 28
AU, NZ
Brokenwood Mysteries
My Life is Murder with Lucy Lawless
Fisk
UK
Macdonald and Dodds
What we do in the Shadows
The IT Team
posted by Enid Lareg at 4:03 PM on May 28
Brokenwood Mysteries
My Life is Murder with Lucy Lawless
Fisk
UK
Macdonald and Dodds
What we do in the Shadows
The IT Team
posted by Enid Lareg at 4:03 PM on May 28
If you liked BBC Ghosts and The Good Place, you will probably also like the gentle comedies Detectorists and Ted Lasso. Detectorists is about treasure hunters in the English countryside, Ted Lasso is about a struggling English football (soccer) team. But really you do not need to care in the slightest about treasure hunting or football; like Ghosts and The Good Place, they are actually about friendship and how to be a good person.
Seconding the recommendation for the Australian Heartbreak High (2022 reboot), seeing that you liked Sex Education. I found the characters funny and endearing. Great representation among the main cast including an autistic character, many LGBTQ+ main characters, more than half the main cast (students and teachers) are people of colour. The amount of sexual assault portrayed and discussed is about the same as in Sex Education.
My new favourite is Poker Face with Natasha Lyonne. She is able to tell if someone is lying and uses this sense to solve mysteries of the week, Columbo-style. Very funny and clever. Her character is a little bumbling but surprisingly competent, I guess like Columbo.
And seconding so many shows above, like Derry Girls.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:10 PM on May 28
Seconding the recommendation for the Australian Heartbreak High (2022 reboot), seeing that you liked Sex Education. I found the characters funny and endearing. Great representation among the main cast including an autistic character, many LGBTQ+ main characters, more than half the main cast (students and teachers) are people of colour. The amount of sexual assault portrayed and discussed is about the same as in Sex Education.
My new favourite is Poker Face with Natasha Lyonne. She is able to tell if someone is lying and uses this sense to solve mysteries of the week, Columbo-style. Very funny and clever. Her character is a little bumbling but surprisingly competent, I guess like Columbo.
And seconding so many shows above, like Derry Girls.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:10 PM on May 28
I haven't watched all of it, or even most of it, but The Fosters came to mind immediately. The two main characters are a mixed-race lesbian couple, with "their blend of biological, adoptive, and foster children".
posted by cgg at 4:18 PM on May 28
posted by cgg at 4:18 PM on May 28
Rita
Umbrella Academy
Extraordinary
Fargo (last vignette has abuse/assault)
I like the woman characters in 'animal control'
BSG is streaming again, lotta compelling woman characters in terrific performances.
posted by j_curiouser at 5:15 PM on May 28
Umbrella Academy
Extraordinary
Fargo (last vignette has abuse/assault)
I like the woman characters in 'animal control'
BSG is streaming again, lotta compelling woman characters in terrific performances.
posted by j_curiouser at 5:15 PM on May 28
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Looking
Tales of the City
Pan Am
Cable Girls
GLOW
Roar
posted by Champagne Supernova at 5:20 PM on May 28
Looking
Tales of the City
Pan Am
Cable Girls
GLOW
Roar
posted by Champagne Supernova at 5:20 PM on May 28
Halt and Catch Fire
Reservation Dogs
Slow Horses
Fleabag
Russian Doll (season 1; season 2 is... ok)
Reboot (canceled after 1 season, still worth watching)
Only one season so far but Shrinking on Apple TV+ is excellent.
Limited series:
Mare of Easttown
Pachinko
Drops of God
+1ing Fisk, Derry Girls
posted by staggernation at 5:48 PM on May 28
Reservation Dogs
Slow Horses
Fleabag
Russian Doll (season 1; season 2 is... ok)
Reboot (canceled after 1 season, still worth watching)
Only one season so far but Shrinking on Apple TV+ is excellent.
Limited series:
Mare of Easttown
Pachinko
Drops of God
+1ing Fisk, Derry Girls
posted by staggernation at 5:48 PM on May 28
Call the Midwife is mostly women. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll learn a little history.
You have to wait a bit beyond the first few seasons, but there are LGBTQ characters and Black characters and characters of color, both in regular, ongoing roles and guest roles. There are nuns, but they are Anglican nuns, not Catholic. They may mention their faith, but all the women in my (Jewish) family are entirely unbothered by this aspect. Competence drips from every episode.
You mentioned 911. The sequel, 911 Lonestar is slightly less entertaining to me, but hits all the points you're seeking. (There's one couple that's fairly religious in a Texas Christian kind of way but not in a pushy way; another regular character is a kickass Muslim woman. The G-d/religion aspects are more related to character backgrounds than plot.
Both of these are "Found Family" shows.
You didn't mention Bridgerton, but between seasons 2 and 3 was a (mostly) prequel called Queen Charlotte. All Shonda Rhimes Shows (Scandal, which may fit your criteria, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, etc.) do well with casting characters of color and including LGBTQ characters.
Speaking of which, Station 19, another Grey's Anatomy spinoff, fits all of these criteria: found family, competence, diversity, etc.. I found the first season a little soapy, but as it went on, especially during and after the pandemic, it did a remarkable job handling both interpersonal and social/political issues. It's another that often made me laugh and cry, sometimes in the same scene.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 6:11 PM on May 28
You have to wait a bit beyond the first few seasons, but there are LGBTQ characters and Black characters and characters of color, both in regular, ongoing roles and guest roles. There are nuns, but they are Anglican nuns, not Catholic. They may mention their faith, but all the women in my (Jewish) family are entirely unbothered by this aspect. Competence drips from every episode.
You mentioned 911. The sequel, 911 Lonestar is slightly less entertaining to me, but hits all the points you're seeking. (There's one couple that's fairly religious in a Texas Christian kind of way but not in a pushy way; another regular character is a kickass Muslim woman. The G-d/religion aspects are more related to character backgrounds than plot.
Both of these are "Found Family" shows.
You didn't mention Bridgerton, but between seasons 2 and 3 was a (mostly) prequel called Queen Charlotte. All Shonda Rhimes Shows (Scandal, which may fit your criteria, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, etc.) do well with casting characters of color and including LGBTQ characters.
Speaking of which, Station 19, another Grey's Anatomy spinoff, fits all of these criteria: found family, competence, diversity, etc.. I found the first season a little soapy, but as it went on, especially during and after the pandemic, it did a remarkable job handling both interpersonal and social/political issues. It's another that often made me laugh and cry, sometimes in the same scene.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 6:11 PM on May 28
Sprung
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Slow Horses (so, so good, and nothing to do with horses)
Only Murders in the Building
Lupin
Signora.Volpe
posted by HiroProtagonist at 6:24 PM on May 28
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Slow Horses (so, so good, and nothing to do with horses)
Only Murders in the Building
Lupin
Signora.Volpe
posted by HiroProtagonist at 6:24 PM on May 28
Legends of Tomorrow (start at season 3; season 2 is a superhero show and season 1 is an unfun superhero show)
posted by polytope subirb enby-of-piano-dice at 6:32 PM on May 28
posted by polytope subirb enby-of-piano-dice at 6:32 PM on May 28
I was coming here to recommend Killjoys, but I'm also seconding (or thirding) Slow Horses. Dark Matter debuted about the same time as Killjoys (so no, not the current Colin Farrel one mentioned above), and that might also fit your bill.
But since I'm here, I'm going to offer up my usual recommendation for this type of question: Legends of Tomorrow. As for why, see a previous comment of mine.
Actually, since I'm linking back to earlier comments, here's another one (which, also happens to mention Legends). Of that bunch (The Diplomat, American Auto, The Company You Keep and Son of a Critch), Critch is the lightest on female characters and LGBTQ characters, but it's still worth your attention. FanFare readers LOVED The Company You Keep, so you don't have to take just my word on it.
If I'm going to add something new, I say give Girls on the Bus some attention. Yes, it was recently cancelled after the end of its first (and only) season, but it was mostly enjoyable and something very different from everything else on TV. Found family: check. Diverse characters: check. Women leads: check. No sexual assault: check.
posted by sardonyx at 6:39 PM on May 28
But since I'm here, I'm going to offer up my usual recommendation for this type of question: Legends of Tomorrow. As for why, see a previous comment of mine.
Actually, since I'm linking back to earlier comments, here's another one (which, also happens to mention Legends). Of that bunch (The Diplomat, American Auto, The Company You Keep and Son of a Critch), Critch is the lightest on female characters and LGBTQ characters, but it's still worth your attention. FanFare readers LOVED The Company You Keep, so you don't have to take just my word on it.
If I'm going to add something new, I say give Girls on the Bus some attention. Yes, it was recently cancelled after the end of its first (and only) season, but it was mostly enjoyable and something very different from everything else on TV. Found family: check. Diverse characters: check. Women leads: check. No sexual assault: check.
posted by sardonyx at 6:39 PM on May 28
Steven Universe! Also the Netflix Carmen Sandiego.
posted by creatrixtiara at 6:51 PM on May 28
posted by creatrixtiara at 6:51 PM on May 28
Good Trouble on Hulu checks most, perhaps all, of your boxes. It's about a group of people who have their own lofts in a building but share bathroom, kitchen and "living room" spaces. The cast is very diverse. It mixes drama and comedy. And there are lots of seasons.
posted by Scout405 at 7:05 PM on May 28
posted by Scout405 at 7:05 PM on May 28
I loved The Peripheral. It's about a young woman in a high-tech Appalachian town who's very good at virtual-reality gaming. She, her brother, and their band of friends are recruited by English people in the distant future to fight against a plot that threatens the future and the past. It ticks all your checkboxes, although the LGBT elements are mostly unremarked, and it has a lot of sci-fi John-Wick-style action/killing (but no SA). But be warned the show ends halfway through the story because it was cancelled.
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 8:40 PM on May 28
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 8:40 PM on May 28
I recommend My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, currently on Netflix. Lauren Faust's vision for a show about "a group of female characters that do interesting things and go on adventures."
posted by SPrintF at 8:56 PM on May 28
posted by SPrintF at 8:56 PM on May 28
Another recommendation for GLOW, it's one of my favorite shows and checks a lot of your boxes!
And check out Crazyhead. I absolutely love this one! Female leads, one is a POC. Warning, though - it begins with a situation that looks like an abduction, but there's no sexual assault, it's not what it seems.
Oh, and Killing Eve is good too. Lots of murders, a very competent female assassin and the female agent tracking her.
posted by dorey_oh at 10:38 PM on May 28
And check out Crazyhead. I absolutely love this one! Female leads, one is a POC. Warning, though - it begins with a situation that looks like an abduction, but there's no sexual assault, it's not what it seems.
Oh, and Killing Eve is good too. Lots of murders, a very competent female assassin and the female agent tracking her.
posted by dorey_oh at 10:38 PM on May 28
Leverage ticks some of your boxes: found family and competence in particular, with a relatively balanced main cast gender-wise (3 men, 2 women). The continuation series "Redemption" includes LGBT rep as well. It's good fun and one of my absolute comfort shows.
posted by oc-to-po-des at 12:01 AM on May 29
posted by oc-to-po-des at 12:01 AM on May 29
+1 to Extraordinary, it's on Disney+ in Australia.
Derry Girls (the competence is only behind the scenes though)
She-hulk
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (stands up to rewatching pretty well IMO. I may be biased. Skip Seeing Red episode from Season 6 to avoid attempted SA.)
posted by Coaticass at 1:58 AM on May 29
Derry Girls (the competence is only behind the scenes though)
She-hulk
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (stands up to rewatching pretty well IMO. I may be biased. Skip Seeing Red episode from Season 6 to avoid attempted SA.)
posted by Coaticass at 1:58 AM on May 29
Di you catch ABC (Aussie) drama the Newsreader? It's still on iView (not sure about internationally for anyone else reading this thread). Anna Torv is the lead, always great IMO.
posted by Coaticass at 2:08 AM on May 29
posted by Coaticass at 2:08 AM on May 29
I didn’t see any Korean dramas on your list and only saw one recommended so far (Extraordinary Attorney Woo). 90% of kdramas are written by women. In my opinion they excel at strong, complex, and competent female leads. The following shows fit that description with the added bonus of found family; they have some violence/murder, but no sexual assaults. LGBT representation in Kdramas is an area that can use improvement. I think all of these have detailed posts on FanFare in case you want more info before trying them out:
Crash Landing on You; It’s Okay to Not be Okay; Little Women; Our Beloved Summer; Love to Hate You; Twenty-Five, Twenty-One
posted by kbar1 at 2:12 AM on May 29
Crash Landing on You; It’s Okay to Not be Okay; Little Women; Our Beloved Summer; Love to Hate You; Twenty-Five, Twenty-One
posted by kbar1 at 2:12 AM on May 29
Seconding Steven Universe. Found family, female leads (apart from the title character but you'll quickly see how that doesn't matter), diverse representation in the best possible way. A radical, perhaps unique, cartoon show that's about empathy rather than conflict, and ambitious sci-fi worldbuilding and long story arc rather than gags or episode-length stories.
posted by snarfois at 2:29 AM on May 29
posted by snarfois at 2:29 AM on May 29
On the kdrama front, I'd recommend My Mister (lots of found family/collaboration/competence, no romance), Misaeng/Incomplete Life (same), Melodrama Is My Style (competence, friends, 3 female leads). If you want some romance in the mix: Mr. Queen ("historical", insane in the very best way, a queer relationship but it's a Korean show so there's a giant copout at the very end but feel free to ignore that, competence), Alchemist of Souls (fantasy, competence). (FWIW I bounced off Little Women and even Extraordinary Attorney Woo due to too much incompetence.)
posted by trig at 3:36 AM on May 29
posted by trig at 3:36 AM on May 29
So the main characters aren't women (though a lot of secondary characters are women or nonbinary), but based on the other things you've enjoyed, I have a feeling you would love Our Flag Means Death if you haven't already seen it. Super queer, awesome "found family" storyline, funny and heartwarming. Only two seasons.
posted by little mouth at 5:58 AM on May 29
posted by little mouth at 5:58 AM on May 29
If you enjoyed She-Ra and Kipo, I think you’d really dig The Owl House.
posted by xenization at 9:33 AM on June 1
posted by xenization at 9:33 AM on June 1
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posted by bookworm4125 at 12:24 PM on May 28