The New Female Antihero: The Disruptive Women of Twenty-First-Century Us Television

The female antihero has emerged as a prominent figure in television storytelling over the past ten years, representing a more profound threat to the status quo than her male counterparts. This study explores the meanings of this change in the role of women characters, showing that they are often selfish, conniving, and unlikeable. Female antiheroes challenge the myth of the modern-day super-woman and give us new ways of imagining womens lives in contemporary America.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

The last ten years have witnessed a significant shift in television storytelling, with an increasing emphasis on complex storylines and characters. In this insightful study, Sarah Hagelin and Gillian Silverman delve into the emergence of a new archetype: the female antihero. Contrary to the traditional portrayal of feminine characters as sunny, sincere, and plucky, the modern female antihero is often portrayed as selfish, unlikable, and even ruthless.

Hagelin and Silverman explore the profound implications of this shift in the role of women characters across various genres. In dramas, they observe the rise of ambitious, conniving, and even murderous female antiheroes, while in comedies, they depict self-centered, self-sabotaging, and anti-aspirational characters. These female protagonists reject the traditional roles of good girls and role models, challenging the status quo and presenting a more profound threat than their male counterparts.

From the devious schemers of popular shows like Game of Thrones, The Americans, Scandal, and Homeland to the joyful failures of series like Girls, Broad City, Insecure, and SMILF, female antiheroes exhibit a deep ambivalence towards the promises of liberal feminism. They challenge the notion of the modern-day superwoman, who is expected to "have it all," and offer new perspectives on the lives of women in contemporary America.

Through their analysis, Hagelin and Silverman shed light on the complexities and contradictions of the female antihero, highlighting the ways in which these characters redefine our understanding of femininity, power, and identity. Their study provides a thought-provoking exploration of the evolving landscape of television storytelling and its impact on our cultural perceptions of women.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226816401