27 Netflix Shows to Watch if You Need Quality Time With Strong Women

What does it mean to be a "strong female character?" The phrase is often applied to Wonder Woman or Game of Thrones' Arya Stark. But if you ask us, the idea of strength has nothing to do with sheer physicality or the ability to wield a sword. As these Netflix shows demonstrate, strong female characters are present in all walks of life and all roles.

Take the Netflix series Unbelievable, which is based on a distressing true story. Toni Collette and Merritt Wever play two steely investigators who devote countless days and nights to tracking down a serial rapist. In the same show, Kaitlyn Dever demonstrates resilience portraying a survivor of sexual assault. Even when she's feeling broken, she keeps going.

We look to TV shows for escape—and for examples. Maybe you derive strength from seeing Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) defeating chess foes, all while battling deep grief and feelings of abandonment, in The Queen's Gambit. Or perhaps you admire Regina King's character in Seven Seconds, who fights for justice after the unthinkable happens to her son. You might even admire Claire Underwood's (Robin Wright) boldness, even as you cringe at some of her more immoral actions, in House of Cards.

However you define "strong female character," you'll find badass women in these Netflix shows across genres, including thrillers, comedies, and yes—our favorite royal drama.