What TV Shows Have 'She Deserves Better' Female Leads?

Let me geek out about some underrated picks! 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' subverts the trope by making Rebecca Bunch hilariously flawed yet painfully relatable—her mental health journey is handled with so much care. Then there's 'Derry Girls', where Erin and her friends navigate adolescence in 1990s Northern Ireland; the show's genius is how it balances humor with the girls' very real frustrations about their limited futures. And 'Killing Eve'—Villanelle and Eve's twisted dynamic is electric, but you can't help feeling Eve's life would be simpler if she'd just walk away (but where's the fun in that?). These shows prove that 'deserving better' isn't about perfection—it's about writing women who feel real, even when they make terrible choices.

You know, this question really hits home for me because I've spent way too many nights binge-watching shows where the female lead just isn't given the respect she deserves. One that immediately comes to mind is 'Fleabag'—Phoebe Waller-Bridge's character is brilliantly written, messy, and deeply human, yet constantly stuck in situations where you just want to scream at the screen for her. The way she navigates grief, family dysfunction, and toxic relationships makes you root for her so hard. Another standout is Kim Wexler from 'Better Call Saul'. She's this incredibly competent lawyer who keeps getting overshadowed by Jimmy's antics, and the show does such a great job showing her internal struggle between loyalty and self-worth.

Then there's 'The Queen's Gambit', where Beth Harmon's genius is constantly undermined by the male-dominated chess world. The way she battles addiction and sexism while still being unapologetically brilliant is so satisfying to watch. And let's not forget 'I May Destroy You'—Michaela Coel's Arabella deals with trauma in such a raw, real way that you can't help but feel she deserves way better than the hand she's dealt. These shows don't just have strong female leads; they make you feel their struggles viscerally, which is why they stick with you long after the credits roll.

'The Wilds' on Amazon Prime does this brilliantly—each stranded girl has a backstory that makes you ache for them. Leah especially, with her obsessive love for an older writer, gets put through the wringer. The show digs into how society fails teenage girls in uniquely cruel ways. Also, 'Pen15'—Maya and Anna's cringe-worthy middle school experiences are equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. You just want to hug their awkward selves and tell them it gets better (even if it doesn't, not really).

Oh, I could rant about this for hours! 'Unbelievable' on Netflix broke my heart—Marie Adler is a survivor who gets dismissed by everyone, and the way the show handles her story is both infuriating and cathartic. Another one is 'Jessica Jones'—she's this superpowered PI who's constantly grappling with PTSD, and the show never shies away from how messed up her life is. What I love about these characters is that they're not just 'strong women' in the cliché sense; they're allowed to be vulnerable, angry, and messy while still making you scream, 'She deserves the world!'