Nell Jackson & More of TV’s Toughest Ladies
TV’s newest hero has arrived. Louisa Harland storms onto the scene in Disney+‘s Renegade Nell, which premiered with all eight episodes on Friday, March 29. Nell is a badass fighter who, thanks to a mystical fairy spirit, gets possessed with super strength whenever danger’s near.
Nell goes on the run when she’s framed for a murder she didn’t commit, and she brings her young sisters and new ally, Rasselas (Ényì Okoronkwo) with her. But her fight for revenge isn’t all righteous. The hotheaded and independent renegade commits highway robberies on her road to justice, and the magical Billy Blind (Ted Lasso‘s Nick Mohammed) won’t activate her powers if she’s the one who starts a fight.
The 18th century fantasy series is an exciting action-adventure tale, and with her refusal to conform so gender and social norms, Nell is bound to inspire some young viewers. Now that Nell has arrived, here are some of our favorite badass ladies we’ve seen on the small screen, including some anti-heroes.
Renegade Nell, Season 1 Available now, Disney+
Nell Jackson, Renegade Nell
Disney’s newest hero gets her powers when danger is near (and in her life, that’s a common occurrence), but it’s her unapologetic boldness that makes her everyone’s No. 1 target.
Michonne Grimes, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
Michonne (Danai Gurira) fights for her life and love (Andrew Lincoln‘s Rick) in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, continuing her epic legacy from the original AMC series.
Arya Stark, Game of Thrones
The Battle of Winterfell was won by Arya Stark (Maisie Williams), who saved all of Westeros with her skills of combat. The North remembers her avenging House Stark, and so do we.
Eve Polastri & Villanelle, Killing Eve
Sandra Oh‘s MI6 agent was hellbent on catching the psychopath assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer). She seriously leveled up her defensive skills to do so.
Angela Abar, Watchmen
Set in a post-vigilante Watchmen world, this series sees cops don masks and take on alter egos for the purpose of their own safety. Regina King‘s Angela Abar goes by Sister Night, and proves to be a formidable fighter when crooked criminals are afoot.
Brienne of Tarth, Game of Thrones
Gwendoline Christie‘s Brienne of Tarth is as noble a knight can get. Her unwavering commitment to guarding the Stark girls, Arya and Sansa (Sophie Turner), made Brienne a fierce protector.
Jane Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Maya Erskine created a badass assassin in Prime Video‘s Mr. & Mrs. Smith series. Sure, she struggled in the romance department, but that’s nothing a little truth serum can’t fix.
Mary Agnes & Alice Fletcher, Godless
This Netflix Western starred a bold band of women who were the sole occupants of a mining town after a tragedy killed all of the men. Leading this pack were Michelle Dockery as Alice Fletcher and Merritt Wever as Mary Agnes, who were more than equipped to take care of things.
Elizabeth Jennings, The Americans
Keri Russell captivated audiences for six seasons of The Americans. Viewers couldn’t help but root for this anti-hero.
Carol Peletier, The Walking Dead
Carol’s arc in The Walking Dead is a fan-favorite, and one she’ll continue in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2. Based on the Season 2 title, “The Book of Carol,” it seems fans are in for an epic new tale from this beloved character.
The Next Generation: Annabeth Chase, Percy Jackson and the Olympians
The daughter of Athena is wise and primed for battle. The brains of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians central trio is going to grow up to be an even more skilled demigod. Her TV arc will be one to watch!
Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel
This hero is the leader of Marvel’s young cast. Making her debut in excellent form in Ms. Marvel, Iman Vellani‘s Kamala Khan was a standout in The Marvels movie and will be an important piece of the MCU moving forward.
