Top 10 Television Characters of 2017 (The Women)

WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you haven't watched these shows turn back now or face the consequences. 

What is about a TV character that just reaches out and grabs ya? Obviously it's great acting and great writing but sometimes there's just a little something extra.  Below are my picks for the top ten female characters currently on television. The men's edition will follow soon. See also my picks for top 10 TV shows of 2017 here

Honorable mentions this year include: 

Allie Novak (Kate Jenkinson)- Wentworth- NetFlix
Yalena "Dutch" Yardeen (Hannah John-Kamen)- KillJoys- SyFy
Roberta Warren (Kellita Smith)- Z Nation- SyFy

And without further adieu, here's the top ten: 

10. OfGlen/Emily (Alex Bledel)- Handmaid's Tale- Hulu- OfGlen didnt have a ton of screen time but the scenes she was in simply blew me away. And I'm not the only one. Bledel won an Emmy this year for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series. A lesbian in an ultra repressive society, OfGlen refuses to deny who she is (even when it would be MUCH easier to do so). The consequences are horrifyingly severe. Bledel spends much of the time with only her eyes visible. She doesn't need to speak to get the point across. OfGlen gives us strength to keep fighting the good fight-- no matter the odds. And great news, OfGlen will be a regular in season 2. See my reviews of "Handmaid's Tale" here  

9. Claire Underwood (Robin Wright)- House Of Cards- NetFlix- After watching Claire for five season, we know there's nothing she wont do to accomplish her goals. Lying- check, blackmail- check, voter fraud- check, murder- check. It seems Claire will get her wish to be President (especially given the recent events with Kevin Spacey). Claire is the ultimate ice queen. I can't wait to see who she destroys next season. See my reviews of "House Of Cards" here

8. Eleven/Jane (Millie Bobby Brown)- Stranger Things- NetFlix- While season 2 of "Stranger Things" is a bit slow for me, I keep coming back for Millie. The girl has some serious acting chops. I expect we'll see great things from her in the future. And if you havent already, check out "Intruders" here . It's one of my favorite TV series and her role is even more chilling. See my reviews of "Stranger Things" here  

7. Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh)- SuperGirl- CW- Chyler brings her considerable acting chops to every job (be it on "Greys Anatomy" or "SuperGirl"). She gets a more physical role here as SuperGirl's human sister Alex. Alex is both a scientist and serious asskicker. Kudos to the show for handling her awakening sexuality in a sensitive and realistic way. Chyler acted it to perfection. My head broke for her. Alex was one half of the immensely popular #Sanvers ship (along with Maggie). SuperGirl may be the moral compass of the show but Alex is the heart. See my reviews of "SuperGirl" here  

6. WayHaught- Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught (Dominque Provost-Chalkley and Katherine Barrell)- Wynonna Earp- SyFy Yes, I know that Wavery and Nicole are two separate people. Their relationshipo is so important though that I'm counting them as one here-- ship name #WayHaught. "Wynonna Earp" has such a dedicated fan base because everyone involved in it's production pours everything they have into the show. It's so refreshing to see a relationship between two women be able to blossom on a TV series. Typically one is violently killed right after they have sex for the first time. I'm happy to report that WayHaught is still going strong after two seasons and is closer than ever. I trust that Emily Andras won't let our favorite couple down in season 3. See my reviews of "Wynonna Earp" here

5. Ally Mayfield-Richards- American Horror Story (Sarah Paulson)- FX- Sarah is here because of her cumulative work as much as this season's role in "AHS: Cult". Sarah is Ryan Murphy's favorite muse and has had major roles in all seven seasons (with a smaller part the first season). My favorite character continues to be Lana Winters in "Asylum". Sarah also won numerous awards (including a Golden Globe) for her portrayal of Marcia Clarke in "The People Vs OJ Simpson". See my reviews of "American Horror Story" here

4. Maeve (Thandie Newton)- Westworld- HBO- Maeve's fiery determination to be free to chose her own destiny is what got her on this list. Thandie breathes life into Maeve and makes us root for her more than her human counterparts. I cant wait to see what ruckus Maeve causes in season 2. See my reviews of "Westworld" here

3. Norma Bates (Vera Farmiga)- Bates Motel- A&E- In five seasons of "Bates Motel" Farmiga made us deeply care for a flawed woman who was doing her best to love (sometimes TOO much) a deeply troubled son. She tries to be a good mother but the desk is stacked against her from the beginning. That doesnt keep me from hoping there could be a different outcome to her story. While she has been nominated for numerous awards, Vera has yet to win the "Big Ones". It's a travesty. Give it her already people! I can't wait to see what projects Vera has next in store for us. See my reviews of "Bates Motel" here

2. OfFred/June (Elizabeth Moss)- Handmaid's Tale- Hulu. OfFred is our entry into a dystopian future. Previously a book editor she is now forced to be a surrogate for a powerful man. She is forced into a class of women called handmaids who are raped monthly in order to cure Gilead's fertility problem. We root for OfFred as she is hopefully trapped in a system she can't escape. Moss won a well deserved Emmy for her portrayal. See my reviews of "Handmaid's Tale" here  

1. Joan "The Freak" Ferguson (Pamela Rabe)- Wentworth- Joan Ferguson is hands down my favorite female TV villain OF ALL TIME. And yep, that's a pretty steep list. In each season of Wentworth, The Freak continues to manipulate and terrorize inmates and staff alike. Just when we think Joan can't get any worse, she does. I'm still cringing from that dental scene. Pamela Rabe deserves all the rewards. Five seasons of "Wentworth" are currently available on NetFlix. See my reviews of "Wentworth" here 

Photo Credits:
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January 6, 2018

12:48 PM