Television is entering a unique era, in which women and minorities no longer serve under white captains but take the lead—and all the other roles as well. In a brilliant new universe where the intersectional values of fourth wave feminism are becoming more widespread, fantasy and science fiction are leading the charge. Shows from
Star Wars
to
Doctor Who
are rewriting their traditional storylines to include more well-rounded and racially diverse female characters.
Steven Universe, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Orphan Black
and
Sense8
highlight queer characters and experiences. Dystopias like
Marvel's Jessica Jones
The Handmaid's Tale
show the female perspective entirely, guiding viewers from trauma to self-determination. In fantasy and horror,
Wynonna Earp, Game of Thrones, Supergirl, Vikings, American Horror Story, Black Mirror,
The Walking Dead
reveal how much the story changes with a spectrum of women reclaiming the text from white, straight, young, cisgender men.
These new shows are intersectional, digital, global, critical, and political, with fan responses changing the content and cutting-edge platforms like Netflix and Hulu shaking up the format.