The Rise of Powerful Female Leads in Survival TV Shows
Television shows about survival and acclimating to new and unexpected environments have never been more popular, and female heroes are coming to dominate the genre. As the tropes and characterizations of the past begin to modernize, so do the way that female roles are written and represented onscreen. Not only do these new shows feature powerful female characters, but they're the reason that people are watching.
The Evolution of Female Representation in Survival TV Shows
As TV shows about survival and navigating the apocalypse increase in number, so does the representation of powerful female leads among the characters. Television shows about survival and acclimating to new and unexpected environments have never been more popular, and female heroes are coming to dominate the genre. As the tropes and characterizations of the past begin to modernize, so do the way that female roles are written and represented onscreen. Not only do these new shows feature powerful female characters, but they're the reason that people are watching.
The cast of The Wilds
In TV settings that are defined by their harsh environments, characters need to be smart, think on their feet, and have good survival instincts and leadership skills. Often, these kinds of shows come down to the interpersonal relationships and alliances that form between characters. Whoever has the resources and power will rule the day. Historically, women have been marginalized by small and ineffectual roles in media that use the survival narrative. Now that writers and creators are becoming more diverse, it's reflected in the characters and stories seen on television.
Notable Female Leads in Survival TV Shows
The Wilds (2020 - 2022) - A group of teens who crash land on an island. The Wilds may have taken a turn for the worse in season 2, but the honest portrait of young female characters it paints in season 1 is worth the complex narrative. In the show, a group of teen girls crash on a deserted island and fight to survive in a twist on the typical genre tropes. Though it turns out their crash was not as accidental as it seems, it does give all the young women the opportunity to blossom and learn more about themselves. A particularly positive relationship is between Toni (Erana James) and Shelby (Mia Healey), who help each other be more vulnerable and embrace their sexualities.
The Society (2019) - All the adults disappear and the young people run the town. Even though The Society was canceled after one season, it still holds a lot of value and is underrated within the genre. After all the adults in the small town mysteriously vanished, and there was no way to contact or escape to the outside world, the young people must come together and rebuild their own civilization. In a surprising turn of events, it's Allie (Kathryn Newton) who rises to prominence within the newly formed leadership. Though she only accepts the role because of her sister's death, and it's not without its challenges, she finds that she's more than capable of taking on the responsibility.
The Society's Jason, Luke, And Allie With Guns Pointed at Dewey
The 100 (2014 - 2020) - In the future, it's up to a group of young outcasts to determine Earth's viability. Many years after Earth was decimated by nuclear war, Clarke (Eliza Taylor) and the other young prisoners aboard the ship that humanity lives on are sent back down to see if the planet is habitable. It soon becomes clear that nuclear fallout is the least of their worries, as there are groups of people still living on Earth with their own agendas. Though uncertain of her path at first, Clarke became one of the strongest female leads on television as she navigated alliances and war, and ensured the safety of the people she protected. Not only Clarke, but The 100 as a series proved capable of reinventing itself.
Clarke and Lexa from the 100 looking up at something
Exploring Female Characters in Post-Apocalyptic Settings
Sweet Tooth (2021 - ) - Human-animal hybrids are hunted in the wake of a worldwide sickness. Despite focusing on the dynamic between Gus (Christian Convery) and Tommy (Nonso Anozie) as they travel together, as the world opens up, many dynamic female characters are introduced. The larger society of the narrative is not kind to the human-animal hybrids that appeared after the virus, but it's clear that they deserve just as much empathy as anyone else. Bear (Stefania LaVie) is a protector of these hybrid children and is a fierce example of how easy it is for young women to adapt to their surroundings. Additionally, in a world so full of discovery, many of the scientists in the show are women like Birdie (Amy Seimetz).
Gus and Wendy in Sweet Tooth
The Walking Dead (2010 - 2022) - The survivors of the zombie apocalypse fight their way through the world. It's no secret that in post-apocalyptic shows, the real enemy may not be monsters, zombies, or sickness, but people desperate to survive. In The Walking Dead, this is frequently the message, as the zombies may be scary, but the actions taken by humanity are cruel. The women in the show, just like the men, have been known to go to extreme lengths to protect themselves and the people they care about, but this is necessary in such an intense situation. A standout character in the series is Michonne (Danai Gurira), who embodies that becoming a mother figure to characters on the show does not diminish her power in any way.
Michonne standing outside in The Walking Dead.
