20 TV Shows to Watch in Celebration of Women’s Independence

By Anna Tingley

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – From Mary Richards to Midge Maisel, television has long showcased the stories of women striving for independence in a man’s world.

It was Diahann Carroll’s Julia in the 1968 series of the same name who became the first African-American female lead on a network TV series. Decades later, “The Golden Girls” showed that there was still plenty of life left for women over 50. Today, shows like “Dead to Me,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Mom” revolve around the ups and downs of women navigating life and work on their own terms.

Click through the gallery to see 20 TV series that have celebrated women’s independence.