We’ve come a long way.

Years ago, the female representation on TV was extremely limited. Most were housewives and good moms. And yes, some were pretty bad-ass in that role, but variety was few and far between.

Then came the career women, the pioneers. And little by little, we got everything else.

We got the villains, the bosses, the warriors and the saviors. We got diversity. Not all we wanted. Not all we deserve. But we got some.

And so, today, I’m here to celebrate the incredibly different and bad-ass women that graced our TV screens this past season. May we get more. May they continue to do what they do.

May they stop being the exception, and become the rule:

26. Olivia Pope, Scandal

Confidence is the name of Olivia Pope’s game. She’s determined, strong, and she never, ever lets her personal life get in the way of doing what she has to do — right or wrong.

25. Elizabeth Jennings, The Americans

She’s closer to a villain than she is a hero, and yet, somehow, we still root for this complicated and remarkable woman.

24. Annalise Keating, How to Get Away with Murder

Female antiheroes are still few and far between, and the terrifying thing about Annalise is that she knows how to bend the rules to look like anything but one. But that’s what we like about her.

23. Quinn King, UnReal

Quinn is good at her job. Terrifyingly good at her job. Does that make her the bad guy? That’s up to you to decide. She doesn’t care either way.

22. Olivia Benson, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

Dealing with victims every day is hard – not letting yourself become a victim is even harder. Olivia Benson has done both in an admirable way for a very long time.

21. Sara Lance, Legends of Tomorrow

Sara Lance might be one of the most literally kick-ass women on this list – and yet she’s also compassionate, determined, and infinitely complex. That’s why we love her.

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