Hearting Her: 33 Daring Dames Who Make My Skirt Fly Up

By Cindy Davis | Lists | August 5, 2013 |

By Cindy Davis | Lists | August 5, 2013 |

In compiling a list of television’s most kickass women, I was happy to find our cup more than half-full. There are so many great female characters, even just one show (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”) has several admirable ladies. Honestly, this list could have been never-ending, so feast your weary Monday eyes on these brainy, beautiful, brilliant double XXs—I’m sure you’ll have many more of your own to add.

1. Peggy Olson, “Mad Men”

2. Megan Draper, “Mad Men”

3. Cosima Niehaus, “Orphan Black”

4. Jemma Teller, “Sons of Anarchy”

5. Daenerys Targaryen, “Game of Thrones”

6. Arya Stark, “Game of Thrones”

7. Margaery Tyrell, “Game of Thrones”

8. Olenna Tyrell, “Game of Thrones”

9. Brienne of Tarth, “Game of Thrones”

10. Kara Thrace, “Battlestar Galactica”

11. Chloe O’Brian, “24”

12. Kay Howard, “Homicide: Life on the Street”

13. Robin Griffin, “Top of the Lake”

14. Martha Jones, “Doctor Who”

15. River Song, “Doctor Who”

16. Sarah Jane Smith, “Doctor Who”

17. Clara Oswald, “Doctor Who”

18. Donna Noble, “Doctor Who”

19. Rose Tyler, “Doctor Who”

20. Rory Gilmore, “Gilmore Girls”

21. Paris Geller, “Gilmore Girls”

22. Mary Richards, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”

23. Grace Hanadarko and Rhetta Rodriguez, “Saving Grace”

24. Veronica Mars, “Veronica Mars”

25. Dana Scully, “The X-Files”

26. Stella Gibson, “The Fall”

27. Claire Huxtable, “The Cosby Show”

28. Ellen Parsons, “Damages”

29. Ellie Miller, “Broadchurch”

30. Ava Crowder, “Justified”

31. Elsie Hughes, “Downton Abbey”

32. Anna Bates, “Downton Abbey”

33. Violet Crawley, “Downton Abbey”

Cindy Davis, (Twitter) eagerly awaits your screams of “Leslie Knopes!” (don’t watch) “Yigritte!” and “Sarah Connor!” (don’t agree), and “This list is invalid!”