TV shows & cartoons for (and about) women
By: Yulia Kostyuchenko
Tags: TV Series, TV Shows, Lists, For Women, Women

A list of quite new TV shows and cartoons that you will probably like if you’re a woman (that doesn’t mean that you won’t enjoy them if you’re a man). I included only those that I’ve already watched and enjoyed.

Fleabag (2016–2019, 2 seasons)

Fleabag is a British drama-comedy show about the life of a young woman after a traumatic experience. Sounds boring, hah? Actually, these series are funny, clever, and touching. They’re all about how to be a girl ‒ tough, and scary, and hilarious, ‒ all at once. You may not like British humor but I’m sure you’ll like this extremely modern and complicated story. Also, you just mustn’t miss Andrew Scott (Moriarty) in the role of the priest in the second season.

2. Aggressive Retsuko (2017–2018, 2 seasons, Netflix)

I was looking for some crazy enough anime and discovered Aggretsuko. This cartoon is cute and so truthful. Main events are happening in the office but it’s more than anime about office life. The main character ‒ Retsuko the Red Panda ‒ is 25 years old, she is cute, single, and frustrated about work most of the time. She is questioning her dating life, trying to find a soulmate, a hobby, friends, and just deal with all grown-up shit. And when she is stressed and wants to give vent to her emotions (read: every day), she is going to karaoke and singing metal songs (what could be more crazy and cute than the red panda singing the death metal songs?)

3. Tuca & Bertie (2019 — …, 1 season)

This cartoon has a similar mood to Bojack Horseman (though I’m not a fan). ‘Tuca & Berties’ is about the friendship between two bird women who live in the same building. They’re both 30-year old, and this is almost the only thing that they have in common. Tuca is single, free-spirited, and unemployed, her friend Bertie has a good job and a nice boyfriend, and anxiety. It’s a women-led cartoon about funny stuff in life, relationship, mental health, and the pitfalls of adults.

4. Why Women Kill (2019 — …, 1 season)

‘Why Women Kill’ is a comedy-drama. It tells three stories about three women ‒ from the 1960s, 1980s, and 2019 ‒ and problems in their marriages. Here’s everything I like ‒ good cast, witty dialogues, overall positive mood. This show made me laugh in my room in the middle of the night because it’s so addictive that I didn’t want to sleep. One of the best shows I watched recently, strongly recommended.

5. Big Little Lies (2017 — …, 2 seasons)

These TV series are based on the book of the same name by Liane Moriarty (I highly recommend reading). It’s a great crime drama that is funny, smart, and scary. I like all characters and cast of the first season but the second one is weaker in terms of almost everything. One of the best roles of Reese Witherspoon in my opinion, beautiful sceneries, and keen dialogues won’t leave you indifferent.

6. Killing Eve (2018 — …, 3 seasons)

The spy drama mostly about the relationship between the officer and the killer that I watched because everybody was talking about it. I couldn’t say that I liked it a lot. Yes, the tension between two women is interesting, and both actresses are good but for me, these series are missing something important. Still recommend watching, at least because it’s not a male-centered thriller and it will make you laugh at some moments.

7. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018 — …, 3 seasons)

Sabrina the teen witch should choose between the world of normal people and the world of witches on the eve of her 16th birthday. I’d describe these series as “young adult” because of all elements of the genre: first love, rebellion against the adult world, a lot of emotions, and rash acts. The first season is really cool, with an interesting story and due amount of magic but the second one was more about feminism and girl power in a kind of annoying way. I recommend watching one season and then see how it goes! Also, these series have a great opening!